POSITIONS OPEN TO ALL RECENT ERA VETERANS STARTING January, 2016
Veterans Fire Corps (Tucson/Winter-Spring 2016 Field Season)
Program Overview:
The Arizona Conservation Corps, the United State Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management invites you to join the Veterans Fire Corps for an on the job training experience in forestry, conservation, and wildland fire fuels management. Our office is seeking physically fit military veterans between the ages of 21 and 40 who are willing to relocate to Tucson, AZ for a four month term of service. The program is designed to provide recent era veterans with the technical skill and physical ability for service in federal wildland firefighting careers.
The Veterans Fire Corps is an immersive experience in conservation and land management. Over the 13 week program members will live, work and learn on public lands in Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona. The program is composed of approximately 20% classroom and 80% conservation project work. Throughout the program members will live in a small cohort and work to complete critical fuels reduction projects in association with federal project partners from the United States Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management.
All programs are AmeriCorps National Service on-the-job training programs and feature four primary components:
1. Wilderness Orientation (1 week) – Each season begins with a remote and/or backcountry service project involving traditional conservation trail work. This component is designed to physically prepare members for their season while providing time for orientation to the history of land management and conservation work as well as the ecology of southwestern forests. Orientation typically involves 1-2 hours of physical training, 6 hours of project work, and 2-3 hours of lecture and discussion each day.
2. Wildland Fire Training (2 Weeks) – Intensive training in Wildland Fire Fighting. Each day will involve up to 2 hours of physical training and 8 – 10 hours of classroom time.
3. Project Work (10 weeks) – On the job experience working as a fuels crew member on public lands at varied locations across Arizona. Crews typically work 10.5 hour days 9 days at a time with additional time allocated to physical training and other activities each day. During the project work phase, members have 5 days off every two weeks depending on crew schedules.
4. Rx Fire and Fuels Treatment Operations – Members will partner with federal fire fuels staff to prepare sites for prescribed fire and occasional take part in burn operations. Fire assignments vary by season and are based on weather and fuel conditions on each forest district. Participation in prescribed fire is NOT guaranteed as a portion of any program.
Trainings included in all programming:
• Conservation Leadership Development
• Trail construction and maintenance
• Wildland Fire Chainsaw Faller A
• S130 – Introduction to Wildland Fire Fighting/Fire Fighter Type II
• S190 – Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior, L180 – Fire Line Leadership
• I100 – Introduction to the Incident Command System, NIMS 100/700
• First Aid/CPR
• Leave No Trace
• Fire Fighter Fitness
• Federal Resume Writing and Application Process
• Other trainings and personal development opportunities TBD.
• Red Cards are NOT guaranteed in any VFC program. All certifications are transferable to all national, state, municipal and private fire agencies.
Benefits:
• 375 dollar/week living stipend for duration of program, plus meals and lodging while on projects.
• Transportation from Tucson, AZ to all training sites and locations.
• Wilderness Orientation
• 150 dollar reimbursement for wildland fire boots
• On the job crew member experience
• Accommodations provided during all project work (very basic tent camps or barracks)
• Crew receives a weekly budget for fresh food and dry food from our supply cache in Tucson.
• AmeriCorps Education Award upon completion of the program.
Requirements:
• Military Service – All applicants must have a valid DD-214 or currently be serving in the National Guard or Reserve.
• Physical Fitness – Applicants must be able to run and hike for project work and physical training. Members must also be able to walk up to 8 miles per day with a 45 – 65lb backpack during the orientation phase of the program. All members must pass the USFS Arduous Pack Test (3 mile hike with 45lbs in under 45 minutes) in order to take part in prescribed fire component of the program. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY PHYSICALLY DEMANDING PROGRAM. ALL MEMBERS MUST PARTICIPATE IN ALL ACTIVITIES AT ALL TIMES.
• Commitment – All applicants must partake in all activities during the program. Members must make a strong commitment to complete all aspects of the program including conservation projects, education, training and national forest service. Members must commit to participating in all crew activities for the duration of the session with little time off. Project work will vary and is often unpredictable. MEMBERS WHO FAIL TO MEET THESE COMMITMENTS WILL NOT GRADUATE THE PROGRAM, RECEIVE CERTIFICATIONS, REFERENCES, AND/OR EDUCATION AWARD.
• Substance Free – All applicants are prohibited from utilizing any controlled substance including alcohol and medical marijuana while at work, at camp, or in sponsored housing. MEMBERS SUSPECTED OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE USE WILL BE TERMINATED IMMEDIATELY AND WITHOUT QUESTION.
• Safety -You will be expected to take a serious attitude toward safety all day and every day.
• Professionalism – Members must be willing to appropriately represent the AZCC Program and AmeriCorps. Members must dress appropriately in uniform at all times, utilize appropriate language, and conduct themselves to the highest professional standard at all times.
• 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
To Apply:
Application Link: http://bit.ly/1jnOxa6
Check us out on facebook at www.facebook.com/vetsfire. Please visit our website www.azcorps.org to read more about Arizona Conservation Corps. (To apply through our website, click on the ‘JOIN’ page and then on the VFC APPLY NOW link.)
A recruiter will contact you within a few days of submitting an application to arrange an interview. Please email Mandy Bonesteel (mbonesteel@conservationlegacy.org) if you have questions about positions.