Fire Crew Member

Position Title: Fire Crew Member: Non– AmeriCorps 

jobshiringnearme.org Legacy Program: jobshiringnearme.org Corps North Carolina 

Site Location:  Operations Base – North Carolina State University Hill Research Forest, Camp Slocum, 918 State Forest Road, Bahama, North Carolina 27503  

Terms of Service: 

• Start Date: As Soon As Possible

• End Date: 04/25/2025

Purpose: 

The mission of jobshiringnearme.org Corps North Carolina (CCNC) is to empower young adults through meaningful outdoor work that benefits North Carolina’s land and water and creates healthy communities.      

CCNC is a program of jobshiringnearme.org Legacy that partners with public land managers in North Carolina to engage motivated young adults (ages 18-30) to complete challenging and impactful conservation service projects throughout the region. Projects may include trail construction & maintenance, habitat improvement, hazard fuel reduction, and ecological restoration.  Crews may also complete technical and/or specialized projects depending on project partner needs, including disaster relief if the opportunity arises.     

Description of Duties: 

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of CCNC’s Fire and Forest Management program that is partnering with North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission to perform prescribed fire work and forestry.

The crew will operate largely in the Butner, with the potential to travel elsewhere in the state as additional opportunities are available. During travel, the crew will be expected to camp in established or even primitive campsites with the necessary supplies to support their needs. The program will provide education, certifications, and on-the-job experience that will help participants pursue a variety of natural resource management careers. These projects will include but not limited to:

• Prescribed burn operations with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
• Fire prep-work such as creating and maintaining fire breaks, and fuels reduction projects

Hand tools, drip torches, and backpack blowers will be frequently used by this crew for the preparation and completion of prescribed burns. Tools such as chainsaws, brush cutters, and more will be used as required when additional equipment is beneficial.

Expectations: 

• Complexity/Problem Solving
• Communicate ideas and concerns with a variety of people, including colleagues, landowners, and supervisor
• Resolve challenges with supervisor
• Resolve management problems independently or as delegated by natural resource staff
• Consult with supervisor to develop plans for resolution of unusual or complex problems
• Consult with supervisor on unusual or complex issues
• Make responsible day-to-day decisions that benefit the work of other crew members and the crew itself

Crew Members are asked to work hard, stay positive, and be flexible with changing schedules, weather conditions, and project needs. This is a seasonal position; Crew Members are asked to fully commit to the experience, expectations, and timeline.    

Once Crew Members are selected and prior to their start date, they are required to complete an online enrollment process that includes completing e-forms, uploading IDs, and beginning their background check process. For those with limited access to online platforms, accommodations may be available and can be discussed during the interview process.   

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.

Safety and Judgment:   

• Effectively communicate danger to others in the form of either a warning or a notification of personal distress, injury or need for assistance. You 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 winds.
• Effectively perceive, understand and follow directions 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.

Outdoor Skills and Fitness:  

• Learn and safely perform fundamental outdoor living/travel and work skills as appropriate to the project. Additionally, remain adequately hydrated, fed, and properly dressed to remain generally 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/or trying weather. The remoteness is such that it may require at a minimum one hour, but perhaps more than 12 hours, to reach the nearest advanced medical care.

Environmental Ethics:   

• Learn and practice ‘Leave no Trace’ techniques

CCNC is a drug-free organization.  Alcohol and illegal substances are prohibited while participating in AmeriCorps/program activities and on CCNC, North Carolina State University, and program partner property.  

Qualifications: 

Required:

• FFT2 (Firefighter Type 2 – Crew Member)
  • I-100 Introduction to ICS
  • IS-700 NIMS Introduction
  • S-130 Basic Wildland Firefighting
  • S-190 Basic Wildland Fire Behavior
  • L-180 Human Factors in Wildland Fire Service
• Valid Arduous Pack Test Completion
• Ability to work a flex (variable) schedule that may change with little notice
• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
• At least 18 years of age
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.

Preferred:

• FAL1 (Beginner (A) Faller)
• FAL1 (Beginner (A) Bucker)
• Wilderness First Aid or Basic First Aid
• Associates degree with 1-year experience or bachelor’s degree in forestry, biology, ecology, natural resources management or related field
• Ability to operate and conduct field maintenance of vehicles and to recognize and avoid hazards associated with operating them
• Ability to operate various types of hand and power tools and machinery in a safe and efficient manner
• Ability to handle and maintain tools, equipment, and supplies in good working order for daily operation
• Ability to record and maintain data and keep monitoring records
• Experience with prescribed or wildland fire
• Previous AmeriCorps experience

Physical Requirements: 

• Sit, stand, walk, speak, and hear
• Stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl for significant periods of time
• Safely lift 50 pounds on a routine basis
• Work in variable weather conditions at remote locations on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances
• Remain adequately hydrated, fed, and properly dressed to remain generally healthy and safe, avoiding environmental injuries
• Live in a physically demanding, possible isolated environment for an uninterrupted period of up to several days. Conditions of this environment may vary significantly and may include severe and/or trying weather.  The remoteness is such that it may require at a minimum one hour, but perhaps more than 6 hours, to reach the nearest advanced medical care.

Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Time Requirements: 

The crew will live, train, and work together as a team. It will be a flex schedule with a base schedule of 5 days on, 2 days off, 8 hours per day or 4 days on, 3 days off, 10 hours per day. During the fire season, the crew should anticipate working extended shifts up to 14 hours to accommodate long burn projects including night burns. The crew leader will work with CCNC staff to create work schedules and plans to complete assigned project work. The Crew Leader will supervise the crew’s living arrangements which will typically require the crew to live in cabins or tents on or close to project locations for different lengths of time. In general, hours will be 7:00 am to 3:30 or 5:30 pm and include two paid fifteen-minute breaks and one unpaid half hour lunch break.

While the staff at CCNC and partners work to provide consistency throughout the season, personal flexibility is expected and should be prepared for when entering the term as schedules, times, and work locations are subject to change per project needs.

Orientation and Training: 

• Facilities tour
• Program-specific structure, rules and regulations
• Crew dynamics: meal planning, housing, camp life
• Driver’s training
• Tools and equipment

Benefits: 

• Stipend of $600 per week, paid bi-weekly
• Housing: shared crew cabins at Camp Slocum
• Option for limited Paid Time Off
• Food budget while on project
• Accrue hours towards the Public Land Corps Certificate that offers a hiring authority when applying for future federal positions.
• Members may be eligible for student loan forbearance.
• Member Assistance Program – 3 free sessions of support with a counseling or work-life balance specialist
• Uniform shirts, helmet, work gloves, eye protection, and other necessary safety equipment is provided
• On-the-job training provided
• Assistance may be available for getting Crew Members the outdoor gear needed to participate
• Depending upon the academic institution and program, Crew Member positions may fulfill internship requirements
• Professional development opportunities (mentorship, resume support, alumni listserv, etc.)
• Exposure to natural resource career paths and opportunities

Evaluation and Reporting: 

As a crew 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, weekly timesheets and accomplishment tracking. 

Supervisor Name and Contact Information: 

jobshiringnearme.org Corps North Carolina Contact information: 

Drew Gotwals & Stephanie Dunton 

agotwasl@conservationlegacy.org & sdunton@conservationlegacy.org 

jobshiringnearme.org Legacy is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to hiring a breadth of diverse professionals and encourage members of diverse groups to apply. This program is available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, marital or parental status, genetic information, and military service. Where a significant portion of the population eligible to be served needs services or information in a language other than English, the recipient shall take reasonable steps to provide written material of the type ordinarily available to the public in appropriate languages. 

We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with AmeriCorps requirements. 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. 

Requirements

Required:

• FFT2 (Firefighter Type 2 – Crew Member)
  • I-100 Introduction to ICS
  • IS-700 NIMS Introduction
  • S-130 Basic Wildland Firefighting
  • S-190 Basic Wildland Fire Behavior
  • L-180 Human Factors in Wildland Fire Service
• Valid Arduous Pack Test Completion
• Ability to work a flex (variable) schedule that may change with little notice
• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
• At least 18 years of age
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.

Preferred:

• FAL1 (Beginner (A) Faller)
• FAL1 (Beginner (A) Bucker)
• Wilderness First Aid or Basic First Aid
• Associates degree with 1-year experience or bachelor’s degree in forestry, biology, ecology, natural resources management or related field
• Ability to operate and conduct field maintenance of vehicles and to recognize and avoid hazards associated with operating them
• Ability to operate various types of hand and power tools and machinery in a safe and efficient manner
• Ability to handle and maintain tools, equipment, and supplies in good working order for daily operation
• Ability to record and maintain data and keep monitoring records
• Experience with prescribed or wildland fire
• Previous AmeriCorps experience