Black Fire Recovery Individual Placement

Position Title:  Black Fire Recovery Individual Placement – AmeriCorps

jobshiringnearme.org Legacy Program: jobshiringnearme.org Corps New Mexico

Site Location: Black Range Ranger District – Gila National Forest

1804 N. Date St. / Truth or Consequences, NM 87901

Terms of Service:

• Start Date: ASAP
• End Date: Fall 2025
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 1200 Hours

Purpose:

AmeriCorps is the federal agency for national service and volunteerism. AmeriCorps provides opportunities for Americans of all backgrounds to serve their country, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, and improve lives and communities. Environmental stewardship programs help conserve natural habitats, improve energy efficiency, protect clean air and water, among other environmental efforts.

jobshiringnearme.org Corps New Mexico (CCNM)

As part of jobshiringnearme.org Legacy and an AmeriCorps program, CCNM aims to continue the legacy of the Civilian jobshiringnearme.org Corps of the 1930’s. CCNM is focused on connecting youth, young adults, and recent era military veterans with conservation service work projects on public lands. CCNM operates programs across southern New Mexico and western Texas that engage individuals and strengthen communities through service and conservation. The CCNM Las Cruces office manages the Individual Placement Program.

Mentorship

These Individual Placements are unique development AmeriCorps positions. Participants are paired with a local supervisor and gain technical, hands-on experience in the work of these organizations or agencies. Site supervisors commit to facilitate career development; provide an introduction to numerous pathways within the conservation field; and create accessible, meaningful, learning opportunities and gain technical, hands-on experience in the work of these organizations or agencies.

The mission of the Black Fire Recovery is an effort for restoration of infrastructure and ecological systems that were impacted by the 2022 Black Fire.  The focus of these restoration efforts are the trail system reconstruction, range infrastructure including fence construction, and a variety of projects / planning for watershed restoration.  Another focus with this mission is to develop partnerships on the landscape with other interested organizations and contractors to help with restoration efforts. 

Description of Duties:

• Assist staff with coordinating trail reconstruction.
  • Coordinate with a variety of trail crews to provide expectations and help communicate between crews and forest staff.
  • Work alongside trail crews preforming a variety of trail maintenance and construction.
  • Assist with reporting and documenting accomplishments including taking before, during, and after pictures.
• Assist staff with coordinating and inspecting fence construction and range infrastructure improvement.
  • Provide guidance and communication between crews and Forest Service staff.
  • Assist staff with documenting completion reports of projects.
• Assist staff with logistical needs of recreation and range projects.
  • Assist with planning project needs and help with delivering needed supplies to the project site or nearest trail heads.
  • Assist with inventorying and distributing fence supplies and trail supplies.
  • Assist with pack stock and packing to crews in the backcountry.

Trainings Provided:

• Trail work, GPS/mapping, documentation, sawyer certification as needed; fence construction, inspection, job shadowing; packing and horse handling as needed, inventorying and distribution of supplies, driving.

Conditions:

Project will be in remote back country areas, uneven terrain, burn scar landscapes, variety of weather conditions, overnight camping in the back country, hiking long distances, driving on mountain roads.

 Qualifications:

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
• At least 17 years of age
• Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of elementary or secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant, and agrees to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.
• Valid U.S Driver’s License – Drivers must be over 21 or have had a license for at least 3 years
• Basic knowledge of working in remote areas, ability to work independently, a general knowledge of trail and fence work.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with pack stock, leave no trace ethics, and wilderness areas.

Physical Requirements:

• To successfully perform essential functions, the individual is required to sit, stand, walk, speak, hear, etc. May be required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl for significant periods of time and be able to safely lift 50 pounds on a routine basis. He/she must be able to operate office equipment, telephone, and computer and reach with hands and arms.
• Ability to hike and navigate in rough terrain.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

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
• Contribute to a safe learning environment, no harassment of others for any
• Willingness and ability to complete all aspects of the program including conservation projects, education, training, and national
• Effectively communicate ideas and concerns as they arise directly to supervisors, colleagues, and organization
• Appropriately represent jobshiringnearme.org Corps New Mexico, the Forest Service, the National Forest Foundation and AmeriCorps to the public and partners at all
• Flexibility, adaptability, and capacity to work in a fluid, changing work

Safety and Judgment: 

• 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. Must be able to do so at a distance of up to 50 meters and in conditions with limited visibility or loud background noise such as darkness or high
• Effectively perceive and understand significant and apparent hazards and follow direction by others so that you will be able to successfully execute techniques to manage hazards. These directions may be given before the hazard is encountered or may need to be given during the exposure to the hazard. Ability to respond appropriately to stress or
• Stay alert and focused for several hours at a time while traveling and working in varied weather conditions.
• If taking prescription medications, participants must be able to maintain proper dosage by self- medicating without assistance from

Substance Free:

• In accordance with a drug free workplace, alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in AmeriCorps and program activities and while on organization property.

Background Check:

A USDA background clearance must be completed before the selected candidate may report for service. The Forest Service will provide instructions for completion of the clearance after a candidate has been selected and will notify them when they have been cleared to start service. This process will determine the participant’s exact start date.

Participants will have access to government facilities and systems, and will be supplied with access to gov’t vehicles, equipment, and materials needed to work on the projects and activities as outlined above. Participants must adhere to all government regulations and policies for operating equipment, vehicles, security awareness, and safety.

jobshiringnearme.org Legacy is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential functions. Some positions may require periodic overnight travel, non-traditional hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.

Time Requirements:

• Typically, this position is expected to serve Monday to Friday, but exact service schedules may vary. A half hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service
• Member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.

Orientation and Training:

• Member will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $5,176.50
• Living Allowance of $500 per week
• Additional Benefit of $200 per week
• Travel and training budget $4,125.
• Housing may be available; more information will be given during interview.
• Healthcare Coverage if Eligible
• Childcare Coverage if Eligible
• Loan forbearance if Eligible
• Interest Payments if Eligible

Evaluation and Reporting:

As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of hours, the member has satisfactorily completed assignments, and if the member has met other performance criteria that were clearly communicated at the beginning of the term of service.

Reporting requirements include, but are not limited to, bi-weekly timesheets and accomplishment tracking.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodations due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.