Participation in AmeriCorps is OPTIONAL for the 2024 USFS Region 8 Women's Fire & Fuels Crew. AmeriCorps Member requirements and benefits are identified with ** asterisks **.
Position Description
The 2024 Region 8 Women's Fire and Fuels Crew is a dynamic and exciting opportunity for those passionate about wildland firefighting. This female-identifying team will be made up of two crew leaders and six crew members; the team will be under the supervision of three dedicated USFS primary fire employees throughout the season as part of the Table Rock Fire Crew.
Female-identifying candidates are encouraged to apply. We welcome cis and trans females, as well as non-binary and gender non-conforming applicants.
Program Start Date: Jan 22, 2024
Program starts with 2 weeks of USFS Fire Acadamy Training. Program includes 23 weeks of SCA program time (prescribed fire and fuels projects), and 12 weeks of USFS Administratively Determined (AD) time (wildfire suppression). The total length of the crew season is 9 months. Housing will be provided for the duration of this time.
Full Program Dates: Jan 22, 2024 – October 5, 2024
Program Home Base: Greenville, SC (note: team will be traveling often throughout season)
Hours and Schedule
Please note – this is a tentative schedule. Dates may change, but training opportunities will remain the same.
-
1/22/24 – 2/3/24: USFS Fire Academy Training
2/4/24 – 9/28/24: Field Season
9/29/24 – 10/5/24: Last week of service & Final wrap up - Team will serve variable hours based on service activities and season. Specific weekly schedule will vary depending on the needs of the team.
- Two weeks of USFS Fire Academy Training will have typical hours M-F, 7:30am – 6pm.
- Twenty-three weeks of SCA program time completing prescribed fire and fuels projects may have hours Su-Sa, 7am – 7:30pm with flexibility depending on the day’s activities. Members will not serve more than 80 hours over a two-week period over the course of the 23 weeks of SCA program time.
- Twelve weeks of US Forest Service Administratively Determined (AD) time completing wildfire suppression service will have atypical hours. When deployed on a live fire with the federal fire teams, members should expect to serve10–12-hour days while on fire assignments.
- Members may serve more than 80 hours over a two-week period over the course of the 12 weeks of Administratively Determined program time.
- Team members' service with SCA will be paused during any Administratively Determined time and they may not accrue service hours towards the 900-hour service goal for the education award during this time.
- Members must achieve a minimum of 900 hours of service within the 25 weeks of USFS Fire Academy Training and SCA program time.
- Members should be prepared to be away from housing up to two weeks for prescribed burning or other required duties.
Housing
Shared housing will be provided for the crew. The crew will camp while out on fire assignment and will be provided shared housing near Clemson, SC, for off time.
Responsibilities
- The primary objectives for this crew will be fuels reduction and prescribed burning projects.
- The crew will prepare USFS lands for burning, conduct prescribed burning, and serve on other conservation tasks as identified by USFS. Prescribed burning is condition-dependent and members may be required to serve long hours and/or weekends depending on direction from the partner. When conditions are not ideal for burning, members will assist with other projects including vegetation removal, fire line preparation, and equipment maintenance.
- Throughout the season, the crew may have opportunities to respond to active fires.
- Crew members will live and serve together for the duration of the season. SCA emphasizes the importance of community building and growth in interpersonal skills throughout the program.
- Participate in networking and professional development opportunities.
Member Qualifications (Essential Functions)
- All team members must be able to pass the Work Capacity Test at the arduous level (a 3-mile walk with 45lb weight vest that must be completed in 45 minutes or less). Members that do not pass the pack test will not be able to continue with this program.
- All team members must be able to undergo an in-person physical before December 1, 2023.
- Passion for the great outdoors.
- In order to be eligible to serve as an AmeriCorps Member**:
- Be a citizen, permanent resident, or national of the United States**
- Must be at least 18 years or older**
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent or actively working to obtain one**
- Be willing to undergo National Service Criminal History Check, including criminal background, sex offender and FBI checks**
- Ability to pass SCA’s AmeriCorps criminal history background check**
Member Benefits
- Compensation:
- Living allowance: $300/week (pre-tax)
- Commuting allowance: $300/week (pre-tax)
- One-time $650 travel allowance (pre-tax)
- SCA uniform package
- Shared housing with crew
- Meals (during field days)
- Eligibility for a Public Land Corps Certificate for Noncompetitive Hiring Status
- Eligibility for 900-hour AmeriCorps Education Award ($3,447.50) upon successful completion of service.**
- AmeriCorps Member Assistance Program**
- Childcare coverage (if applicable): Eligible for childcare assistance through AmeriCorps**
- Student loan forbearance and interest payments, (if the member qualifies): Eligible for Federal Student Loan forbearance and interest payment deferment through AmeriCorps for qualifying student loans**
- Access to a national network of professional resources and a peer group**
- Trainings provided:
- USFS Fire Academy Training (Red Card, S-130, S-190)
- Chainsaw
- Basic First Aid +CPR
- Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion
- Sexual Harassment & Maintaining a Positive Workplace
- Risk Management 101
- AmeriCorps 101 and Prohibited Activities, suspension and termination policy**
- AmeriCorps Members Service Agreement- Drug Free Workplace, Code of Conduct, Grievance Procedures, Disability Inclusion, Non-Discrimination**
- Life After AmeriCorps- resume building, applying for jobs etc.**
- SCA Urban Green Cohort Professional Development**
- Other training opportunities when available
All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes.
**AmeriCorps National Direct
This position is part of a specialized SCA AmeriCorps program, AmeriCorps National Direct. If you are selected to this position and choose to participate in AmeriCorps, you will be serving as an SCA AmeriCorps National Direct Member. All requirements and benefits are denoted by an **asterisk** .
The Student Conservation Association's National Direct AmeriCorps program advances urban climate resilience by protecting, restoring and enhancing public lands and waters as well as natural, cultural, and historical resources across the US. Service activities focus on projects identified as critical stewardship projects that improve and protect at-risk ecosystems and resources, especially in underserved urban communities.
If you have ever wanted to learn the skills of being a conservation or historic preservation leader, and help preserve your community, come join this opportunity to serve alongside mentors and like-minded service-oriented individuals.
It is SCA’s policy that all AmeriCorps-required background checks must return cleared results prior to the position’s start; this includes being fingerprinted for the FBI check. Otherwise, the AmeriCorps award will be removed or the position’s start date will be delayed due to non-compliance.
It is our strong belief that equal opportunity for all members is central to the continued success of our programs. We will not discriminate against an applicant because of race, religious creed, religion, color, sex, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, age, physical disability, mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity characteristics or expressions in selections, terminations and or recommendations. Opportunity is provided to all applicants in the basis of qualifications and program requirements. Upon request, reasonable accommodations will be provided to applicants during the selection process and to members during service.
For SCA’s COVID guidance, please refer to www.thesca.org/covid.
SCA1957
Position ID: PO-00735400
Expected Dates: January 22, 2024 - October 5, 2024
Training Provided: S-130 / S-190 (Red Card), S-212, Wilderness First Aid (WFA), CPR, SCA Member Training.
Main Area of Focus: Natural Resources Mgmt
Further Details
AmeriCorps Eligible: Eligible
Driving Logistics: Recommended
For personal time
Housing or Stipend Provided?
B. Partner will pay The SCA to provide housing for the member
Indoor/Outdoor: Outside