Prescribed Fire Crops Crew Leader
Conservation Begins Here.
The Student Conservation Association (SCA), America's #1 conservation service organization seeks qualified applicants to lead, educate, and inspire students for the programs.
Training Dates: December 13-15, 2022 (paid mandatory training)
Program Dates: Jan-May 2023
Location (City and State)/Partners:
- Kisatchie National Forest (Pineville, LA) / US Forest Service
- Davy Crockett National Forest (Kennard, TX) / US Forest Service
- Natchez Trace Parkway (Roving but based in Tupelo, MS) / National Park Service
- Additional positions in Louisiana and Mississippi may be available
Primary Responsibilities:
The leader will work and live with a crew of four members (18+) that will conduct prescribed burns, prepare fire lines, and complete other conservation tasks under the supervision of a project partner. These crew members will come from diverse backgrounds and may not have fire experience. The leader must have a current red card and 1-2 years of wildfire or prescribed burning experience. In addition to having strong conservation work skills, we are looking for a leader that is emotionally mature and can motivate and inspire their crew members. Various positions are available along the Gulf coast (see list above) and leaders will be placed based on the applicant's qualifications and experience. Applicants will be accepted on a rolling basis, but those submitted by September 2022 will be given priority. Interviews will start in late-Sept or early-October 2022.
Specifically, the Crew Leader will:
- Act as a Crew Supervisor for four young adults (18+) to inspire and teach crew members, promote healthy group dynamics, and facilitate effective and productive teamwork
- Function as an Advisor, assisting in training corps members to complete quality work with guidance and direction from the onsite supervisor
- Serve as a Project Manager managing relationships with the agency partner and ensuring successful and timely completion of work projects
- Perform tasks as a Program Administrator by communicating with SCA staff, completing documentation, and managing a budget; and
- Work variable hours (long days and/or weekends), at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, in varying weather conditions, and under physically demanding circumstances.
Leader Qualifications:
- Red card certification must be current through May 2023
- 1 2 years of prescribed burning or wildland fire experience
- Experience managing crews of young adults in an outdoor setting and working with environmental agencies to plan and complete a project
- Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation, land management, and natural resource preservation
- Chainsaw experience (Game of Logging or S212 certification preferred)
- Wilderness First Aid (WFA) or Wilderness First Responder (WFR) and CPR certification
- Ability to operate various types of equipment in a safe and efficient manner (e.g., ATV, two-way radio, etc.)
- Must be a minimum of 21 years of age
- Must have the ability to legally work in the US
- Valid driver's license for 3+ years and MVR that meets SCA standards required
- Ability to meet SCA's criminal background check standards
- Ability to perform manual, physical labor for up to 8 hours per day, exposed to the elements, and must occasionally lift and/or move 40 pounds or more
- Ability to complete tasks independently with respect to timeline(s)
- Working knowledge of common software applications (e.g. Word, Excel, Web browsers); and
- Clear communication via written, spoken, and graphical means.
Leader Benefits and Compensation:
- $800 weekly salary, depending on experience
- Travel stipend (up to $1150)
- Housing and Field-based meals
Conditions of Employment:
Beginning on 1/18/22, all new SCA volunteer program participants are required to provide proof of up-to-date vaccination against COVID-19. Per CDC guidance, up-to-date vaccination now includes all recommended COVID-19 vaccines, including any booster dose(s) when indicated. For example, if someone has completed the primary series but is not yet indicated for a booster shot, they are considered up to date. Once a person is indicated for a booster (6 months after Pfizer or Moderna primary series, 2 months after J&J primary series), full and up-to-date vaccination includes the completed booster shot. Visit the following website for more information: www.thesca.org/covid.
SCA is an EOE dedicated to workforce diversity.
For more information about SCA, visit us atwww.theSCA.org