This is a unique opportunity to work in this collaborative relationship between the Western Colorado Conservation Corps (WCCC) and the Bureau of Land Management-Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire and Aviation Management Unit (UCR).

Position Summary:

This position will be based out of our Grand Junction office. This is not a 9- 5 job, rather an experience where long hours and extended time away from your home base are to be expected. Serving as a Crew Member at WCCC means having passion for service to others, for wild lands and wild places, for personal growth, or for any number of WCCC’s values. Crews will camp for most of their term, oftentimes in remote locations in varied terrain and in all weather conditions. Primary service types will include habitat restoration and fuels mitigation with the potential for fire response and prescribed burning – with a heavy emphasis in chainsaw use. The member will be serving as an AmeriCorps member accruing hours during project work, and then you will transition to being a member of the UCR while you are on fire assignments.

Duties

• Must be willing and able to camp at least 4 nights per week
• Successfully complete new Corps Member Orientation and CPR/First Aid Training
• Complete conservation projects throughout Western Colorado
• Must be motivated, responsible, and have a positive attitude
• Willing to cook at camp site when necessary
• Must participate in WCCC education program
• Participate in WCCC wide volunteer events
• Performs basic fireline activities such as line construction, lopping and scattering of fuels using hand tools and holding, patrolling, monitoring, and mop-up operations.
• Moves dirt, chops brush, small trees, etc. to construct fire line.
• Is responsible for observing the rules of wildland firefighting safety.
• Applies practices and techniques to minimize resource damage.
• Serves as a skilled wildland firefighter on an organized crew during prescribed burns, monitoring and controlling the fire.
• Performs project service types such as fuel inventory and hazard reduction projects.
• Leading service projects such as trail building and maintenance, wildlife habitat restoration, fence building and maintenance, and invasive species removal.
• Leading the crews during camping, cooking, recreation, environmental education, and group learning programs
• Occasional planning of recreational and educational activities, food and equipment purchasing and maintenance, and program evaluation

Qualifications

• High school degree, GED, or willingness to work towards obtaining a GED
• Minimum age of 18
• US Citizenship or lawful permanent US Resident
• Ability to pass National Standards for Wildland Firefighting; including Pack Test and relevant Medical Screenings
• Ability to hike 3-12 miles per day in terrain that can be steep, rocky or uneven, often wearing a 45lb backpack while carrying tools and sometimes backpacking with full packs of 60 – 70lbs
• Ability to lift up to 35 pounds repeatedly and operate a chainsaw on a regular basis
• Ability to pass a National Service Criminal History Check
• Available for duration of entire term of service; commitment to completing term
• Effective written and oral communication skills
• Strong service ethic and desire to serve the community and the environment
• Willingness to serve long, hard hours in all weather conditions; ability to be away on overnight trips for up to 14 days at a time