Start Date: September 9th, 2024
End Date: December 2024 (actual end date TBD)
Combined Stipend: $900/week
Location: Tucson, AZ
Benefits:
· S-212 Chainsaw Certification
· Certifications: S-130 & S-190
· Firefighter Training and Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior.
· IS100b, Intro to Incident Command System.
· IS700, National Incident Management System (NIMS);
· AmeriCorps Education Award
· Paid training
· Food budget while on camping hitch
· Employee Assistance Program
Program Summary
Arizona Conservation Corps (AZCC):
Arizona Conservation Corps, a program of Conservation Legacy, aims to continue the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930s. Arizona Conservation Corps (AZCC) seeks qualified candidates for Veteran Fire Corps Crewmember positions based out of Tucson, AZ for the 2024 Fall season. AZCC offers opportunities for individuals to work in a crew environment on national lands throughout the southwestern United States and elsewhere.
Veterans Fire Corps Crews:
The crew is multi-faceted and demanding, but with opportunity for enormous rewards. Successful candidates will demonstrate high standards, compassion, excellent judgment, effective communication skills, initiative, and the desire to devote themselves (at least seasonally) to working alongside other military veterans, ages 21-35 years old, in an environmental setting. The crew will work together and maintain a flexible, positive, and professional attitude. The program engages participants in a cohort environment in which a team of recent-era military veterans work together to train and complete natural resource management projects, specifically related to fire fuels management and fuels reduction using chainsaws. This crew assists recent-era veterans in their transition from military to civilian careers. Participants must be a military veterans, provide a copy of a valid DD-214, or relevant discharge paperwork, and be able to pass a USFS Pack Test at the “arduous” level (3-mile hike with 45-pound pack in 45 minutes).
Training:
Most AmeriCorps terms will begin with an orientation: crewmembers who attend the full orientation will receive training on First Aid (typically Wilderness First Aid), Leave No Trace, outdoor living, crew culture and diversity, leadership development, and goal setting. There is also potential need to pass a USFS Arduous Pack Test depending on proximity to fire related project work. Informal hands-on training will continue throughout the term with on-the-ground skills training. Depending on the project needs, crews may receive specialized training in herbicide handling, crosscut saw, chainsaw, dry stone masonry or rigging.
Schedule:
Generally, crews work an 8-day, 10-hours/day ‘hitch’ schedule, while camping in front and backcountry settings. Typically, members will have 6 days off in the town of the home base office. Drive time to and from the work site from the home base office is typically included in the hitch schedule. Applicants should expect the project schedule and type of work to vary. Workdays will start with a Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) safety meeting followed by a 15-minute warm-up exercise and a 15-minute stretch. Days will include two 15-minute breaks and one 30-minute lunch.
Responsibilities of an AZCC Crewmember:
Members can expect to work long days and must successfully adapt to various climates and working conditions. Workdays will contain strenuous labor in remote settings and in all weather conditions.
While serving a term of National Service, AZCC crews are expected to work in diverse team settings. Respect for all members of the program, our partners, the public and the land they are visiting is expected. AZCC expects all members to represent the program in a professional manner at all times. Crew life will include our corps values of challenge, stewardship, dedication, community, integrity and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Members are expected to be timely, hardworking, flexible, and complete all functions of the tasks assigned, including tough physical labor, and hiking several miles to remote locations under adverse weather conditions.
Members will be responsible for working under our Environmental Ethics:
· Learn and practice ‘Leave no Trace’ techniques at all times.
· Outdoor Skills and Fitness.
· Learn and safely perform fundamental outdoor living, travel, and work skills as appropriate to the project. Additionally, practice self-care by staying adequately hydrated, fed, and properly dressed, to remain healthy and safe, avoiding environmental injuries.
· Live in a physically demanding, possibly remote environment for an uninterrupted period of up to several weeks. Conditions of this environment may vary significantly and may include severe and challenging weather conditions. These remote locations may require up to 12 hours to reach the nearest advanced medical care.
What We Provide:
· Tools and Personal Protective Equipment
· Transportation from office to projects
· Budget for meals is provided while in the field
· Field uniform shirts & First aid kits
You Provide:
· Transportation from home to the office
· Personal camping gear, such as a tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad
· Work pants and leather boots (6 inch upper, Vibram soles)
· Day pack and multiday pack
· Rain gear
AZCC is an independent, non-residential program. All members and staff are responsible for finding housing while not on project.