Job Information
Conservation Legacy 2025 Winter Fire Mitigation Crew Leader in Salida, Colorado
Position: Winter Fire Crew Leader - Los Valles
Start/ End dates: January 6th – March 28th, 2025
Status: Seasonal, Full-time
Location: Salida, CO
Age: Must be 21 or older or have held a driver’s license for 3 years to be on Conservation Legacy’s Driver Policy
Stipend: $844/week
Benefits: Optional low-cost housing, food is provided while in the field, uniform shirts, personal protective equipment, USFS recognized chainsaw certification, S-130/190 training course, eligible for Conservation Legacy health insurance
Southwest Conservation Corps
The Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC) is a non-profit, AmeriCorps-affiliated organization, whose mission is to empower individuals to positively impact their lives, their communities and the environment. SCC supports youth crews, adult trail and chainsaw crews (ages 18-30), and Veteran fire crews (ages 18-35) with crew-based programming to complete challenging and impactful conservation projects throughout the Los Valles and Four Corners Regions. Projects include trail construction & maintenance, habitat improvement, invasive species removal, hazardous fuels reduction, re-vegetation and local environmental service projects. Crews may also complete technical and/or specialized projects depending on project partner needs, including disaster relief. SCC crews work in national parks, forests, and other public lands throughout central and southwestern Colorado.
Optional low-cost housing will be available for members for the duration of the program. Please contact program staff to find out more information.
About the Position
As a crew leader of AmeriCorps program participants with the Southwest Conservation Corps, your office is the great outdoors! Each crew consists of 6 members and 2 leaders. Crews serve for 4 days at a time in frontcountry (access to your crew vehicle and trailer) locations, in all types of weather conditions. Housing will be provided for members and leaders for the duration of the program. Crew leaders will lead sawyers in completing technical wildland firefighting certification courses and fuel reduction projects while instilling interpersonal and leadership skills. Crew leaders will also be responsible for leading crews in environmental stewardship, i.e. Leave No Trace, and risk management. Risk management is of utmost importance, and all procedures must be followed at all times. A variety of soft skills and technical competencies are required to be successful in this role
Required Skills & Experience :
B-faller chainsaw certification
Minimum of 6 months of professional experience felling and limbing using a chainsaw
Must hold current/relevant certification (WFR, WEMT, OEC) with CPR/AED
Regularly lift and/or move up to 50 lbs
Has a high school diploma or GED
Experience leading an SCC, or other conservation corps, chainsaw crew.
Wildland firefighting experience preferred
Experience working with systems impacted young adults and those of other historically marginalized identities
Responsibilities & Core Competencies:
Leadership & Mentorship
Integrate values pertaining to DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) within the corps
Foster collaboration & teamwork, creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, flexibility & adaptability
Contribute to a safe learning environment; no harassment of any kind
Model effective communication and conflict-resolution skills
Participant and Expedition Behavior
Serve effectively as a leader of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions
Willingness and ability to complete all aspects of the program
Appropriately represent SCC and AmeriCorps to the public and project partners at all times
Risk Management and Judgement
Analyze, manage, and inform on hazardous conditions and crew health
Exhibit strong situational awareness at the worksite
Transport crew and equipment safely in SCC’s vans or large SUVs with trailers
Administrative Skills
Meet all deadlines for documentation, i.e., timesheets, evaluations, incident reports, etc.
Record all project-related outcomes and deliverables
Manage food budget and credit card for purchases, providing receipts for all purchases
Substance Free
- In accordance with a drug-free program, alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in SCC activities and while on organization property.
SCC Los Valles equity is a core value. To put power behind this statement, we prioritize and encourage opportunities for Black, Indigenous, Queer, Trans, and Women of Color (QTBIPOC). Interested candidates are encouraged to contact Brittany LeTendre, Adult Program Manager, bletendre@conservationlegacy.org for inquiries and submit an application on our website.
Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to hiring a breadth of diverse professionals and encourage members of diverse groups to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, political affiliation, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, 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 a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.
Required SkillsRequired Experience