START DATE: September 9th 2019

END DATE: December 13th 2019  (anticipated)

STATUS: 450-hour AmeriCorps Service Terms (subject to change)

STIPEND: $375/week

LOCATION: Pinetop-Lakeside, AZ, US

BENEFITS: Paid training, grocery budget while on project, AmeriCorps Education Award

Summary:

ARIZONA CONSERVATION CORPS (AZCC):

Arizona Conservation Corps, a program of Conservation Legacy, aims to continue the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930's. AZCC is focused on connecting youth, young adults, and recent era military veterans with conservation service work projects on public lands. AZCC operates programs across Arizona that engage individuals and strengthen communities through service and conservation. AZCC has program offices in Flagstaff, White Mountains, and Tucson. 

AZCC and Conservation Legacy are proud to be part of the continuing operation of the Veterans Fire Corps program. The VFC aims to retrain recent era military veterans for careers in conservation, fuels management, and wildland fire-fighting. VFC programs accomplish this goal by immersing participants in a conservation crew experience.

TRAINING

Over the course of a typical 3-6 month season corps members receive training in wildland firefighting, chainsaw operation, and a variety of other topics. Members then go on to serve as members of a fire-fuels conservation crew, performing a variety of forestry and conservation work on Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, and US Forest Service land in Arizona. At the conclusion of a program members are aided in the transition to federal wildland firefighting jobs.

EXPECTATIONS:  

AZCC is a drug-free organization; alcohol and illegal substances are prohibited. AZCC is an independent, non-residential program. The crew member must supply his/her own personal outdoor gear and equipment such as a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, day pack, multi-day pack, work pants, fire rated work boots (AZCC will provide a portion of reimbursement, with receipts), etc. AZCC will provide the tools, protective gear and transportation to projects. 

SCHEDULE:  

The typical schedule is eight to nine days on with six days off, either in town or on spike (camping at the project) depending on proximity to the work site from Pinetop-Lakeside, AZ. The day starts at 6:00 AM with a stretch circle and safety meeting, and one hour of physical training. The day includes two fifteen-minute breaks and a half hour break for lunch. The day concludes at 5:30 PM.

COMPENSATION:  

Crew members are paid an AmeriCorps living stipend of $375/week before taxes. Upon completion of the term the crew member will receive an education award of $1,612.43 for a 450 hour term of service. The education award can to be used for paying off student loans or paying tuition for a Title IV accredited college.

QUALIFICATIONS:  

• Military Veteran
• Be between the ages of 21 and 37
• Have US citizenship
• Have a high school diploma or GED
• Pass background checks: all offers of employment are conditional upon completion of an acceptable check of the National Sex Offender Public Registry and federal criminal background check
• Must be eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award

PARTICIPANT ESSENTIAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: 

Essential eligibility requirements for the program must be met. If you are unable to meet certain requirements, we may be able to assist you with some modification unless it alters the fundamental nature of the program, compromises the health and safety of participants or staff, or places an undue financial or administrative burden on the organization. These requirements are written the same for all positions and therefore may not apply directly to your particular position. 

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 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 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 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.

ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS: 

• Learn and practice ‘Leave no Trace’ techniques
• Outdoor Skills and Fitness (where appropriate)
• Learn and safely perform fundamental outdoor living/travel and work skills as appropriate to the project. Additionally, remain adequately hydrated, fed, and properly dressed so as 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 in excess of 12 hours, to reach the nearest advanced medical care.

SUBSTANCE FREE: 

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

Required Skills Required Experience