USFS Region 8 Fire Crew - Angelina Sabine

Student Conservation Association; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing provided

Meals provided during workdays

SCA uniform package

First Aid/CPR training

Public Land Corps eligibility

Job summary

Student Conservation Association (SCA) is launching a 16-week Angelina-Sabine National Forest prescribed-fire crew in Zavalla, TX. Four crewmembers and a crewleader will assist with prescribed burns and related projects with the U.S.

Forest Service. The program includes two weeks of Fire Academy training with certifications (Red Card, S-130, S-190), First Aid/CPR, Chainsaw, and Risk Management, plus a daily schedule of field work and community duties.

Qualifications

• Minimum age 18; legal to work in US; background check standards.
• Ability to lift 40 pounds and traverse varied terrain with a 40-pound pack.
• Ability to pass the Work Capacity Test (Arduous level) within set criteria.
• Able to undergo in-person physicals and meet physical requirements for outdoor labor.
• Willingness to live with a crew and participate in communal living and paperwork.

Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with a four-person team on priority USFS projects.
• Engage as a crew member to promote healthy group dynamics and teamwork.
• Work long days and possible weekends at remote, challenging terrain.
• Operate hand and power tools as required.

Skills

Wildland firefighting

Teamwork

Physical endurance

Safety awareness

Leadership potential

Tools

Hand tools

Power tools

Job description

The2027USFSRegion8PrescribedFireCorpsin Angelina-Sabine National Forest (Zavalla, TX) 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
• FederalChainsawTraining
• 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
• Mustbeabletoundergoand clear anin-personphysical 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 inserving alongsideand supportingothers 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.

Hours

40 per week

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

• $600/week (pre-tax)livingallowance, paid bi-weekly
• 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.

General Physical Requirements

• Able to understand, adhere to, and communicate with others regarding hazards, procedures, and safety policies.
• Able to stay alert and engaged for extended periods of program time.
• Able to independently manage known medical conditions with the resources available throughout the position or program.
• Able to wear all required personal protective equipment, including internal or external, safety glasses, hard hats, gloves, N95 or other approved face mask or shield, chaps, and appropriate footwear.
• Able to refrain from behaviors and actions that disrupt the work and safety of others.
• Able to cooperate with others to complete daily group tasks, responsibilities, and project work under potentially difficult conditions, variable daily routines, and with limited personal time.
• Able to self-regulate or co-regulate emotions and actions when distressed or uncomfortable, with or without the support of others.
• Able to self-manage outdoor and environmental exposure (e.g., temperature, wind, sun, etc.) in a variety of weather conditions.
• If using prescription medications, able to self-medicate by following the prescribed dosage, usage, and timing without supervisor assistance (except possibly at the direction of higher medical authority in emergency situations).
• Able to hike 3 miles over level terrain while carrying a 45-pound pack in 45 minutes.
• Able to independently carry a backpack weighing up to or approximately 30% of body weight for a minimum of 5 miles and a maximum of 15 miles with adequate breaks dependent on weather, terrain, and trail conditions.
• Able to lift a backpack weighing up to or approximately 30% of body weight, with minimal assistance from others.

Working Conditions

Work schedules and projects may change on short notice or be ambiguous; inclement and severe weather conditions, including heavy rain and flash flooding, gusty and strong winds, foggy or decreased visibility, and lightning events.; decreased or inclement air quality conditions due to wildfire smoke or smog; warm temperatures and adverse heat conditions which could include temperatures in some regions up to 110°F or hotter; exposure to natural and environmental hazards such as, poison ivy, oak, or sumac, tick and mosquito -borne illness, snakes, and potential for other wildlife encounters.

Equal Opportunity Employment Statement

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