2027USFS Region8 Prescribed FireCorps -Oconee NF

Student Conservation Association; East Point (GA); On-site; USD 273,000 - 455,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing provided

Meals provided during workdays

SCA uniform package

First Aid/CPR

Job summary

The Student Conservation Association is seeking crew members for the 2027 USFS Region 8 Prescribed Fire Corps in Oconee NF (Eatonton, GA). The 16‑week program runs January 18, 2027 through May 8, 2027, with USFS Fire Academy Training at the start.

Members will live together in shared housing and receive meals on workdays. Core duties include fuels reduction and prescribed burning, with duties extending to other recreation or conservation tasks as identified by USFS.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 18 years of age;
• Have ability to legally work in the US;
• Meet SCA’s criminal background check standards;
• Ability to lift 40 pounds and independently travel 2 miles over varied terrain while carrying a 40-pound pack without assistance;
• Ability to pass the Work Capacity Test at the Arduous level (3 mile walk with 45lb weight vest that must be completed in 45 minutes or less). Members who do not pass this test will not be able to continue with this program. Click for a video on the WCT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjOZA2sbdMo
• Must be able to undergo and clear an in-person physical required by USFS. In-person physicals should be completed by December 1, 2025, in order to clear by program start date;
• Ability to perform manual, physical labor in a variety of outdoor conditions for up to 8-10 hours per day;
• Interest in serving alongside and supporting others on a team;
• Willingness to live alongside a team and participate in community chores and meal preparation;
• Willingness to complete some project paperwork including project reports, output logs, and inventories;
• With training, ability to use hand tools and power tools to complete assigned work projects.
• Passion for the outdoors and conservation.

Responsibilities

• The primary objectives for this crew will be fuels reduction and prescribed burning projects.
• The crew will prepare USFS lands for burning, conduct prescribed burning, and serve on other recreation or conservation tasks as identified by USFS. Prescribed burning is condition dependent and members may be required to serve long hours and/or weekends depending on direction from the partner.
• Members will not work more than 80 hours over a two-week period.
• Work collaboratively with a team of four others to complete priority projects determined by USFS partner staff;
• Engage as a crew member to promote healthy group dynamics, and promote effective and productive teamwork;
• Work variable hours, possible long days and possible weekends, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, in varying weather conditions, and under physically demanding circumstances;
• Use technical equipment such as hand or power tools.

Job description

2027USFS Region8 Prescribed FireCorps -Oconee NF

#PO-00802447-MEM

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Job Description

The2027USFSRegion8PrescribedFireCorpsin Oconee NF (Eatonton, GA) isadynamicandexcitingopportunityforthosepassionateaboutwildlandfirefighting.This SCA crew will consist of fourcrewmembersand onecrewleader and will assistwithprescribedburnsand other projects alongsidetheU.S.ForestService.

Schedule

January 18, 2027 - May 8, 2027 (16 weeks)

Programstartswithtwo weeksofUSFSFireAcademyTraining alongside other SCA + USFS teams.Certificationsandtopics at this traininginclude:

• FireTraining(RedCard,S-130,S-190)
• BasicFirstAidandCPRCertification
• RiskManagement

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Theprimaryobjectivesforthiscrewwillbefuelsreductionandprescribedburningprojects.

ThecrewwillprepareUSFSlandsforburning,conductprescribedburning,andserveonotherrecreation or conservationtasksasidentifiedbyUSFS.Prescribedburningiscondition dependentandmembersmayberequiredtoservelonghoursand/orweekendsdependingondirectionfromthepartner.

Memberswillnotworkmorethan80hoursoveratwo-weekperiod.

Marginal Duties

Whenconditionsarenotidealforburning,memberswillassistwithotherprojectsincludingvegetationremoval,firelinepreparation,equipmentmaintenance, and other work duties. Throughouttheseason,thecrewmayhaveopportunitiestorespondtoactivefires. Whiledeployedonalivefirewiththefederalfireteams,teammembers' servicewith SCAwill bepaused.Membersshouldexpecttowork10-12hourdayswhileonfireassignments. Participateinnetworkingandprofessionaldevelopmentopportunities.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with a team of four others to complete priority projects determined by USFS partner staff;
• Engage as a crew member to promote healthy group dynamics, and promote effective and productive teamwork;
• Work variable hours, possible long days and possible weekends, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, in varying weather conditions, and under physically demanding circumstances;
• Use technical equipment such as hand or power tools.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 18 years of age;
• Have ability to legally work in the US;
• Meet SCA’s criminal background check standards;
• Ability to lift40 pounds and independently travel 2 miles over varied terrain while carrying a 40-pound pack without assistance;
• Ability to pass the Work Capacity Test at the Arduous level (3 mile walk with 45lb weight vest that must be completed in 45 minutes or less). Members who do not pass this test will not be able to continue with this program. Click for a video on the WCT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjOZA2sbdMo
• Mustbe able to undergo and clear an in-person physical required by USFS. In-person physicals should be completed by December 1, 2025, in order to clear by program start date;
• Ability to perform manual, physical labor in a variety of outdoor conditions for up to 8-10 hours per day;
• Interest in serving alongside and supporting others on a team;
• Willingness to live alongside a team and participate in community chores and meal preparation;
• Willingness to complete some project paperwork including project reports, output logs, and inventories;
• With training, ability to use hand tools and power tools to complete assigned work projects.
• Passion for the outdoors and conservation.

Living Accommodations

Crew members will live and serve together for the duration of the season. The crew will be provided with shared housing throughout the season. Crew members should expect to share rooms in team housing.

SCA emphasizes the importance of community on our crews. Crew members should expect to fully participate in activities related to communal living on their team. To ensure a well-run team, crew members must all participate in house and crew responsibilities, including shared chores, cooking group meals, grocery shopping, and other team-based responsibilities.

Compensation

• Aone-time$650 (pre-tax) travelallowance, paid in first paycheck
• Housing provided
• Mealsprovided duringworkdays
• SCA uniform package

Personal Vehicle Information

Recommended

Additional Benefits

First Aid/CPR

This SCA Position is authorized under the Public Land Corps Authority. All participants must be between the ages of 18 and 30, inclusive, or veterans aged 35 or younger, at the start of the position. Participants must also be a citizen or national of the United States or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States. Hours served can be applied toward the Public Land Corps (PLC) hiring authority.

Equal Opportunity Employment Statement

SCA is an equal opportunity employer. Selection decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and performance, without unlawful discrimination.