Prescribed Fire Crew Member – Oconee NF (Outdoor)

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

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.