Four Corners Veteran Fire Corps Program Coordinator

Title: Four Corners Veteran Fire Corps Program Coordinator

Location: SCC Four Corners – Durango, CO

Salary: Salary group 3 (Starting $32,000-38,000 annually D.O.E.)

Status: 1 year, Full Time, Exempt position. Position may extend indefinitely pending funding.

Benefits: Full benefits as per Conservation Legacy personnel policies (Health, vision, dental, etc., 32 days starting PTO) Additional certifications and personal development opportunities.

Start Date: Early January 2019

Southwest Conservation Corps:

The Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC) is a non-profit service organization built on the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) that operated from 1933-1942. SCC provides youth, young adults, and Veterans the opportunity to complete conservation projects on public lands throughout the Four Corners region. While serving with SCC members receive training on job skills, conflict resolution, leadership, teamwork, and environmental stewardship. Programs are developed using a step ladder approach to provide a progression of skill development based on a member’s needs. The Four Corners office runs field programs most of the year; May-October being our peak season during which the Four Corners office runs as many as 12-14 crews at a time.

Veteran Fire Corps Program:

The Southwest Conservation Corps’ Veterans Fire Corps program provides training and on-the-job experience for post 9-11 era veterans interested in entering careers and gaining experience in natural resource management.

The program engages participants in a team environment in which recent era veterans work together to train and complete natural resource management projects, specifically related to fire fuels management and fuels reduction. Additionally, the program aims to provide background knowledge and introductory training in Wildland firefighting. The program assists veterans in their transition to civilian careers by providing contact with potential future employers and trainings in applying for federal land management jobs.

Trainings will focus on gaining conservation and forestry skills, specifically the use of hand tools and the operation of chainsaws. Members will go to Colorado Fire Camp or the US Forest Service to earn S130- Firefighter Training, S190- Intro to Wildland Fire Behavior, S212- Wildland Fire Chainsaws, IS100b- Intro to Incident Command System, and IS700a-National Incident Management System, as well as First aid and CPR certificates.

The VFC AmeriCorps program is designed for veterans who separated from the military at any point after September 11th, 2001 (including but not limited to OIF, OEF, ONO, OCO, and GWoT veterans) who are interested in pursuing educational and professional development in resource management, wildland firefighting and other outdoor related fields. All Applicants must have served in the U.S. Armed Forces and have a DD214. Crews are generally comprised of individuals 21-37 years of age who have minimal financial and/or personal commitments.

Position Summary:

The Veteran Fire Corps (VFC) Program Coordinator’s primary responsibilities are to: recruit and select corps members for the VFC program, to coordinate communication between the field and the office in addition to supporting and mentoring VFC Crew Leaders and members, to ensure crews are both supported and prepared to maintain safety, program integrity, and quality projects in the field. The VFC Program Coordinator will also assist the Program Director to recruit, hire, and train seasonal crew leaders, in developing and maintaining key partnerships and pursue new program development opportunities. Both office and field operations are required by this position and a flexible schedule is a must! The position consists of around 30% field work to 70% office work. On a normal year, the Durango based office runs a minimum of 60 weeks of fee for service work with the Veteran Fire Corps alone.

Responsibilities:

Recruiting, Interviewing and Selection of Corps Members

 Develop and implement a Veteran Corps Member recruiting strategy and veteran specific partnerships.

 Establish and maintain a database of all recruiting contacts.

 Coordinate recruiting visits to job fairs, community partners, etc.

 Coordinate and complete interviewing, selection, & placement of 24 – 36 Corps Members annually.

 Facilitate and manage the submission of all corps member hiring, program and AmeriCorps paperwork.

 Assist Program Director in recruiting VFC Crew Leaders.



Program Oversight & Field Support

 Field staff and member mentorship – provide technical expertise, guidance and emotional support to crews in the field. Identify positive working solutions to crew management issues for crew leaders.

 Ensure project quality and quantity by providing technical assistance to and accountability of crew leaders in the field.

 Model risk management procedures in the field to create a safe working environment.

 Assist with weekly check-ins with crew leaders.

 Enforce all SCC and Conservation Legacy Policies and Procedures.

 Comfortability & flexibility with an ever-shifting work schedule.

 Respond to crew emergency situations.

 Participate in an on-call system for crews in the field.

 Working with partners to implement specific VFC program goals.

Development & Training

 Assist the program staff to develop and implement trainings including S-212 chainsaw, s-130/190, and wilderness medical trainings as well as other pertinent topics.

 Work with program staff and outside partners to coordinate VFC specific trainings as well as be involved with other program trainings as needed.

 Be a role model and mentor – provide encouragement, guidelines, and supervision to crew leaders and members during the 3 week training period and throughout the field season.

 Develop and maintain partnerships with community and agency partners.

General Administration

 Management of different databases for new hire and AmeriCorps information.

 Manage and maintain accurate reporting of all necessary information and complete program reports.

 Work within an established program budget and report purchases.

 Work with Conservation Legacy staff at several levels to maintain VFC programming and support.

Minimum Qualifications:

 Excellent communication, leadership, mentoring, and facilitation skills

 Strong conflict resolution and team building skills.

 Experienced skill level in all or most of the following: chainsaw operation and maintenance, hand tool use and maintenance.

 A-Faller certification through a nationally recognized course (S-212, MTDC)

 Ability to teach, plan and facilitate trainings for the above skills.

 Wildland fire operations experience OR background and experience working with or in the U.S. Military.

 Demonstrated good judgement and problem solving in high stress and emergency situations.

 Flexibility, adaptability and capacity to work in a fluid, changing work environment.

 Able to work independently and motivate others.

 Computer literate (MS Word, Excel, & Outlook proficient). Ability to work in an office setting.

 Clean and insurable driver’s record & valid driver’s license.

 Must be able to pass Conservation Legacy’s criminal history background checks.

 Desire to spend time in the company of veterans and supporting veteran career opportunities.

Preferred Qualifications:

 Experience with SCC or other conservation corps.

 Demonstrated managerial experience.

 Relevant medical certification (WFR, WFA, WEMT, or OEC).

 Relevant bachelor’s degree.

 Wildland fire and agency experience.

 Military Veteran or experience working with veterans or current military personnel.

 B Faller certification or higher

 Ability to maintain Red Card

Essential Functions:

 Frequently required to walk, sit, talk, hear, and use hands to operate tools & controls.

 Occasionally required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

 Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

 Specific vision abilities required including close vision and ability to focus.

 Required to drive an SCC vehicle.

 Occasional overnight and weekend travel.

 Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

To Apply: Email cover letter and resume to Ryan Brink at rbrink@conservationlegacy.org.

Position open until filled.

Southwest Conservation Corps is a program of Conservation Legacy.