The Student Conservation Association (SCA), in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, is recruiting for the Wildland Fire Academy Fuels Team Member position. This is an entry-level role where you will train, live, and work as part of a 5-person crew on critical fuels mitigation and reduction projects. The program begins with a 3-week intensive training period and focuses on fuels reduction, with potential for prescribed burn and wildfire suppression work.
What You'll Do
- Assist with monitoring completion of assigned project tasks, which may include chainsaw work, piling brush, or moving rocks.
- Support the team with meal planning, logistical tasks, and developing emergency response plans.
- Record work totals and create reports for agency partners.
- Interface with the general public and partner organizations in a professional manner.
- Participate in daily workflow, group physical fitness, arduous tasks, and maintain a solution-focused mindset.
- Engage in team building and support activities, which may occur outside standard work hours.
What We're Looking For
- Commitment to living and working within an intensive crew environment, often in close, shared spaces.
- Desire to perform manual labor in all weather conditions.
- Passion for the outdoors.
- Be a minimum of 21 years old at the start of the program.
- Complete a Health Screening Questionnaire and an in-person physical exam as required by the USFS.
- Able to pass the Arduous Work Capacity Test during training.
Nice to Have
- Backpacking and camping experience.
- Ability to perform arduous tasks outdoors for several hours at a time.
- Ability to live in a multi-gendered, multi-cultured shared living space.
- Eligibility to operate an SCA vehicle.
- Possess a current and valid driver’s license.
- Have a minimum of 3 years of State authorized driving experience.
- Pass a comprehensive motor vehicle record check.
Technical Stack
- Chainsaw
Team & Environment
You will work as part of a 5-person crew (1 Leader, 4 Members), functioning as a cohesive team on an assigned USFS district. The team reports to USFS personnel and SCA Staff.
Benefits & Compensation
- Total weekly stipend: $650 weekly.
- Travel stipend: $350 on first pay period and $300 on last pay period.
- Boot Allowance: $300 for proper regulation boots.
Work Mode
This position is onsite. Possible work sites are located across 10 Western US states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.
This SCA Position is authorized under the Public Land Corps Authority. All participants that receive the PLC must be between the ages of 18 and 30, or veterans aged 35 or younger, at the start of the position. Participants must also be a citizen, national of the United States, or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States.
