Conservation Corps North Carolina Hiring for CCNC USFS Skillbridge Staff Crew Leader at Bahama, North Carolina Full Time

In our effort to keep our participants, employees, partners, and the public safe, Conservation Legacy follows a mandatory vaccination policy, requiring all participants and employees to be vaccinated for COVID-19. Providing proof of vaccination is required prior to the first day of service. If you have any questions, or need to request an exemption, please review our policy, here: COVID-19 Resources | Conservation Legacy or contact [email protected].

Start date: Late December 2022/Early January 2023

End date: November 22nd, 2023

Wages: $800/week, paid bi-weekly

Location: New Bern, North Carolina

Benefits:

• Health Insurance after 60-day probationary period
• Housing may be available at local bases to Uwharrie and Croatan National Forests
• Food budget while on project
• Conservation Legacy Employee Assistance Program
• Opportunity to work on wildland fire between crew seasons
• Training and opportunity for the following certifications may include:
  • ICS–100 Introduction to ICS
  • IS-700 NIMS Introduction
  • S-130 Basic Wildland Firefighting
  • S-190 Basic Wildland Fire Behavior
  • S-212 Wildland Fire Chainsaw
  • S-290 Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior
  • L-180 Human Factors in Wildland Fire Service
  • FFT2 (Firefighter Type 2 – crewmember)
  • Wilderness First Aid and CPR
  • ATV/UTV Operation
  • Schedule flexibility to work on various projects during in-between season (04/29/2023-08/21/2023)
  • Paid Time Off

Program Summary

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service and Conservation Corps of North Carolina (CCNC) have partnered to create a new Active-Duty Conservation Corps Program in North Carolina.  The program trains active-duty military personnel for a career in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) United States Forest Service (USFS) and other public land management agencies through the SkillBridge Program of the Department of Defense (DoD) Transition Assistance Program. 

The Staff Crew Leader will be leading a four-member crew that will work on forest management projects including fuels reduction, fire line construction, vegetation management, and various other forestry practices. The program will provide education, certifications, and on-the-job experience that will help participants pursue a variety of natural resource management careers. These members will be part of the SkillBridge program and will be Active-Duty Military individuals.

There will be two crew sessions, each bringing on four new members. The first session is 01/09/2023-04/28/2023. The second session is 08/22/2023-11/22/2023.

Program Partners

Conservation Corps North Carolina (CCNC) – CCNC is a program of Conservation Legacy, a national service corps that empowers and trains veterans and young adults to be the next generation of natural resource leaders.  CCNC gives participants opportunities to do meaningful work that preserves our land and water and creates healthy, resilient communities.

United States Forest Service (USFS) – The mission of the USFS is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.  The National Forests in North Carolina (NFsNC) leadership strong supports this program. 

Department of Defense – This crew will be a SkillBridge program of the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Transition Assistance Programs (TAPs). The program will engage active duty military in the last 180 days of the service as they transition to civilian life.

Program participants will train in multiple resource areas with the USFS including the following: 

• Recreation Management (hazard tree removal, train maintenance and construction)
• Fire (site preparation, fire line creation, prescribed burn operations)
• Silviculture (timber stand improvement, timber volume data collection)
• Botany (habitat restoration work and invasive plan treatment)
• Wildlife Management (observation data entry, gopher frog habitat restoration)
• Archaeology (site condition monitoring, excavations, graveyard maintenance)
• Law Enforcement and Investigation (Ride along days with District Law Enforcement)
• Engineering (trail bridge repairs, culvert condition surveys)
• Timber (sale administration and marketing)
• Geospatial Information Systems and Data
• Visitor Engagement
• Disaster Recovery 

Crew Leader Responsibilities

Crew Leaders (CL) are responsible for facilitating a positive crew member experience by setting an example of enthusiasm throughout work and camp life. The CL works in tandem with the Assistant Crew Leader to communicate directions, project specifications, and constructive feedback throughout the term of service. The CL is expected complete project and Corpsmember paperwork in a timely manner and professionally represent CCNM.

Training

The program will begin an intensive two weeks of training focused on forest management certifications and USFS leadership skills. Informal training will continue throughout the term with on-the-ground skills training that will include things like tool maintenance, plant identification, and an overview of the USFS and other public land management agencies.

Schedule:

The Staff Crew Leader position will be full-time through the entirety of the season. There are two crew sessions scheduled in the calendar year.

Session 1: 01/09/2023 – 04/28/2023

Session 2: 08/22/2023 – 11/22/2023

The crew should expect the project schedule and type of work to vary. 

Workdays will start with a Job Hazard Analysis 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.

The crew leader will have a varied schedule in between crew seasons (4/29-08/21/2023) and will have the opportunity to work with the Croatan National Forest and the Uwharrie National Forest on various projects. This position will also allow the Crew Leader to on detail to a wildfire outside of North Carolina if approved by the Croatan National Forest Service staff. Pay rate will change to meet AD/wildfire standards including overtime and hazard pay.

Qualifications

• 21+ with some leadership experience
• Flexibility, adaptability and capacity to work in a changing work environment including willingness to work a varying schedule. This position could also be deployed for national disaster relief, outside of the region, for multiple weeks at a time.
• Excellent communication and teaching/mentoring skills, as well as, strong conflict resolution and team building skills.
• Ability perform administrative duties, such as managing crew budget and documents and utilizing Microsoft programs.
• Strong time-management skills and ability to work independently and in collaboration with a small group.
• Valid driver’s license and an insurable driving record.
• Have US Citizenship or Legal Permanent Residency status. 
• Have a high school diploma or GED
• Pass background checks: all offers of positions are conditional upon completion of an acceptable check of the National Sex Offender Public Registry and Federal criminal background check
• Full vaccination against COVID-19 by the first day of employment and ability to provide proof of vaccination before starting

Preferred Qualifications:

• Faller B Chainsaw Certification, or readiness to evaluate as one
• Prior AmeriCorps Service
• Certification in Wilderness First Responder and CPR.
• Military Veteran
• Relevant Bachelor’s degree.

Expectations  

CCNC is a drug-free organization; alcohol and illegal substances are prohibited. CCNC is an independent, non-residential program. Participants must supply his/her/their own personal outdoor gear and equipment such as a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, day pack, multi-day pack, work pants, hiking/work boots, etc. A suggested gear-list will be provided prior to starting the term of service.  CCNC will provide the tools, personal protective gear, budget for crew meals and transportation to projects.  Additionally, CCNC has pro-deals and some gear available to borrow.

Physical, Emotional, and Mental Safety:

Proper safety procedures must be observed in all tasks, including the repair and use of hand and power tools used on projects.

• Effectively communicate danger to others in the form of either a warning of danger others may be encountering or a notification of personal distress, injury or need for assistance. You must be able to do so at a distance up to 50 meters and in conditions with limited visibility or loud background noise such as darkness or high winds. 
• Effectively perceive, understand, and follow direction by others so that you will be able to successfully execute appropriate and perhaps unfamiliar techniques to manage hazards. These directions may be given before the hazard is encountered or may need to be given during exposure to the hazard. 
• Stay alert and focused for several hours at a time while traveling and working in varied weather conditions 
• Perceive and comprehend significant and apparent hazards, including those hazards previously identified by others.  
• Respond appropriately to stress or crises.
• If taking prescription medications, participants must be able to maintain proper dosage by self-medicating without assistance from others.

Participation and Expedition Behavior:

• Work effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions. This may require problem solving on an interpersonal or group level as well as a willingness to accept differences. 
• Contribute to a safe learning environment: no harassment of others for any reason. 
• Willingness and ability to complete all aspects of the program including conservation projects, education, training and National Service.  Members must commit to participating in all crew/team activities, including service days in local communities where applicable. 
• Effectively communicate ideas and concerns as they arise directly to supervisors, colleagues and organization staff. 
• Have the cognitive ability to learn necessary skills and apply them to effectively carry out the service work requirements 
• Appropriately represent the program and AmeriCorps to the public and project partners at all times

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, so as 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.