Veterans Fire Corps Crew Member-AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy; Las Cruces (NM); On-site; USD 31,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Segal AmeriCorps Education Award

Living Allowance weekly $480

Additional weekly $120

Healthcare Coverage if Eligible

Childcare Coverage if Eligible

Loan forbearance if Eligible

Interest Payments if Eligible

Job summary

Conservation Legacy's Fall Veterans Fire Corps crew in Las Cruces, NM offers an AmeriCorps term to veterans aged 18–35. Members engage in conservation, fuels mitigation and wildland firefighting projects on public lands across New Mexico and the Southwest, living in field camps and training under professional supervision.

Participants must provide DD-214, pass the USFS Pack Test at arduous level, and commit to a season of service with teamwork, safety, and rugged field conditions.

Qualifications

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident
• At least 18 years of age
• Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of elementary or secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant, and agrees to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.

Responsibilities

• CCNM Veterans Fire Corps crew retrains recent-era military veterans for careers in conservation, fuels mitigation, and wildland firefighting.
• Crews work with land management agencies, camping up to 8 days in the field; backcountry projects involve carrying gear to site.
• Members serve in all weather conditions on environmental conservation and habitat restoration projects.
• This is a field program with multi-day housing near project sites; safety procedures must be followed.
• Participants must be willing to be an active member of a team of up to seven individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Education

High school

Job description

• Location: 560 N. 17th St, Las Cruces, NM, 88005, United States
• Job Category: Conservation Crew, AmeriCorps, Environmental
• Industry: Conservation, Envrionmental, Trail crew
• Employee Type: AmeriCorps
• Required Degree: High school

Position Title: Fall Veterans Fire Corps Crew Member - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Conservation Corps New Mexico

Site Location: Conservation Corps New Mexico Program Office - 560 N 17th Street, Las Cruces NM

Terms of Service:

• Start Date: 09/07/2026
• End Date: 12/11/2026
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 450-hour

Purpose:

ConservationCorpsNewMexico( CCNM): Conservation Corps NewMexico, an AmeriCorps Program, aims to continue the legacy of the CivilianConservationCorpsofthe1930s.CCNMcrewsaretypicallybasedinLasCruces,NM and all project work will take place on public lands in New Mexico and surrounding states.

• ThisisanAmeriCorpspositionaimingtoengagefutureleaderswhoprotect,restore,and enhance our public lands through community-based service.
• You’ll learn new skills, but it will take sweat: this program is designed to be rigorous. You will complete conservation service projects and learn many skills through experience. Service as an AmeriCorps member is an introduction to a new and exciting lifestyle-overthecourseoftheseasonyouwilllive,learn,train,andworktoprotectand preserve America’s public lands.

Description of Duties:

Crew Models CCNM's Veterans Fire Corps crew aims to retrain recent era military veterans for careers in conservation, fuels mitigation, and wildland firefighting. VFC programs accomplish this goal by immersing participants in a conservation crew experience.

Crews work with a variety of land management agencies, spending up to 8 days in the field camping. Projects can be front country or backcountry, with limited to no access to showers and running-water toilets. Backcountry projects involve carrying out all personal supplies (tent, sleeping bag, clothing) as well as group camp supplies (food, water, gear, tools) to the campsite and worksite.

CCNM AmeriCorps members serve a term of National Service in the state of New Mexico and across the southwest on professionally supervised crews. Members serve in all weather conditions, working on a variety of projects focused on environmental conservation and habitat restoration. This is a field program; members camp multiple days near their project site. Members are expected to complete project work and practice appropriate safety procedures in all areas. This includes safe use and maintenance of hand and power tools as necessary.

Most importantly, participants must be willing to be an active member of a team, or crew, of up to seven individuals from different areas and backgrounds who are all interested in conservation.

The Veterans Fire Corps is a multi-faceted and demanding crew, but with an opportunity for enormous rewards. Successful candidates will demonstrate high standards, compassion, excellent judgment, effective communication skills, initiative, and the desire to devote themselves (at least seasonally) to working alongside other military veterans, ages 18-35, in an environmental setting. The crew will work together and maintain a flexible, positive, and professional attitude. The program engages participants in a cohort environment in which a team of recent-era military veterans work together to train and complete natural resource management projects, specifically related to fire fuels management and fuels reduction using chainsaws. This crew assist recent-era veterans in their transition from military to civilian careers. Participants must be a military veteran, provide a copy of a valid DD-214, or relevant discharge paperwork, and be able to pass of USFS Pack Test at the "arduous" level (3 mile walk with a 45-pound pack in 45 minutes).

Expectations

Participation and Expedition Behavior:

• Work effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions. This may require problem solving on an interpersonal or group level as well as a willingness to accept differences.
• Crew members with CCNM will serve on a crew with 4 crew members and 2 crew leaders who provide project expertise, mentorship, training, and support for the success of all participants. Food is provided while in the field. Crews work together to plan meals and complete all necessary chores (cooking, washing dishes, etc.). Most dietary restrictions can be accommodated if known ahead of time.
• Contribute to a safe learning environment: no harassment of others for any reason.
• Members must commit to participating in all crew/team activities, including evening chores, check-ins, and service days in local communities.
• Effectively communicate concerns as they arise directly to supervisors and organization staff.
• Have the cognitive ability to learn necessary skills and apply them.
• Always represent the program and AmeriCorps to the public and project partners in an appropriate and professional manner.
• Crew members are asked to work hard, stay positive, and be flexible with changing schedules, weather conditions, and project needs. This is a seasonal position; crew members are expected to fully commit to the experience, expectations, and timeline.

Qualifications:

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
• At least 18 years of age
• Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of elementary or secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant, and agrees to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.

Time Requirements:

• Typically, this position is expected to serve [blank-day] to [blank-day], but exact service schedules may vary. A half hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service
• Member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.

Gear:

• Participants must supply his/her/their own personal outdoor gear and equipment such as a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, day pack, multi-day pack, work pants, hiking/work boots, etc. A suggested gear-list will be provided prior to starting the term of service. CCNM will provide tools, personal protective gear, budget for crew meals and transportation to projects.
• Additionally, CCNM has some gear available to borrow such as tents, sleeping bags, and some backpacking gear.

Housing:

• Housing on days off is not provided. Crew members are responsible for their own housing, food, and transportation when not in the field.

Orientation and Training:

• Member will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
• Crew members who attend the full orientation will receive training on Leave No Trace, Outdoor Living and Nutrition, Wilderness First Aid, and other trainings as needed for project work.
• VFC members will be required to complete a USFS Arduous Pack Test and will also receive S-130 and S-190 Firefighter Training, S-190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior, and S-212 Chainsaw Training. Crew members will be required to complete IS100b Intro to Incident Command System, IS700 National Incident Management System, and L-180 Human Factors in the Wildland Fire Service prior to the beginning of the season.

Our Commitment:

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full consideration of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential job functions. Physical requirements may include periodic overnight travel, non-traditional work hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. The ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $1956.35
• Living Allowance of $480 per week.
• Additional Benefit of $120 per week.
• Healthcare Coverage if Eligible
• Childcare Coverage if Eligible
• Loan forbearance if Eligible
• Interest Payments if Eligible

Evaluation and Reporting:

As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of hours, the member has satisfactorily completed assignments, and if the member has met other performance criteria that were clearly communicated at the beginning of the term of service.

Reporting requirements include, but are not limited to, bi-weekly timesheets and accomplishment tracking.

Supervisor Name and Contact Information:

Kimberly Chavarria - Crew Program Coordinator

Email: [e-mail]

Phone: [phone]

Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, 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 reasonable accommodations due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.