Wildland Fire Academy Corps- USFS Fire and Fuels Member

Student Conservation Association; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing provided

Meals provided

Boot allowance

Job summary

Student Conservation Association (SCA) seeks candidates for the 2027 Wildland Fire Academy Member Position. It is an intensive, outdoor, entry-level program with rigorous training in fuels reduction, Wilderness First Aid, and fire qualifications.

Expect to live with crew members in field housing, travel long distances between sites, and perform physically demanding tasks. The season includes a 4-week paid training period, mandatory WCT, and opportunities to gain federal land management

Qualifications

• Entry-level position.

Responsibilities

• Assist with monitoring completion of project tasks as assigned; including chainsaw use, brush piles, moving rocks, and community tasks.
• Assist the team with meal planning and emergency response planning.
• Maintain a positive presence throughout the season.
• Record work totals and create incident reports for partners.
• Interface with the public and partner organizations professionally.
• Participate in daily workflow and group physical training to meet crew objectives.
• Commit to living and working in intensive crew environments.
• Be able to pass Work Capacity Test and medical screenings.

Skills

Passion for outdoors

Team mindset

Physical fitness

Job description

ConservationBeginsHere.

The Student Conservation Association (SCA), America’s #1 conservation service organization seeks qualified applicants to lead, educate, and inspire students for the programs.

2027 Wildland Fire Academy Member Position

The US Forest Service (USFS)/ Student Conservation Association (SCA) Wildland Fire Academy is an intense Fuels Reduction Training program designed to introduce leaders and members to the rigors of Fire & Fuel Programs across the USFS. During the program, leaders and members will train, live, and work as a cohesive and dynamic crew on fuels mitigation and fuels reduction projects. Leaders and their team will be assigned to one of the US Forest Service’s forest districts to learn how different National Forests handle the challenges of wildfire mitigation, prevention, and education in their respective ecosystems, with a secondary priority to assist in increasing the capacity of trained personnel on fire incidents across the Western US. Members will be expected to travel long distances between project sites, and live without electricity, running water, and/or cell phone reception for significant lengths of time. This is an entry-level position. Previous experience using chainsaws and working outdoors is not needed, just the passion to learn. Members should expect to share living and sleeping spaces throughout the season. Respectful behavior, inclusive language, and positive personal conduct is expected the entire duration of the season.

The season begins with a rigorous 4-week paid training period that includes a robust introduction into culture and team building in the Student Conservation Association, Wilderness First Aid (WFA), several certification courses in route to obtaining a federally recognized fire qualifications card with the USFS and your beginner (Level A) Chainsaw Felling/Bucking Card. Please note: PASSING OF USFS WORK CAPACITY TEST (WCT) IS A REQUIREMENT FOR CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT. FAILURE TO PASS THE WCT WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE SEPERATION FROM PROGRAM. Current scheduled WCT will be on April 5th.

Each member is expected to show up to training ready to pass the Work Capacity Test. This test is passed by walking three miles, in under 45 minutes, while carrying a 45 lbs. pack/vest. This is an arduous position, requires a high level of physical fitness upon entering the program. Physical activity will begin day 1 of training to support the high levels of physical fitness to complete the season.

The primary objective for this program is fuels reduction, not fire suppression. Prescribed burns and projects are condition-dependent opportunities and will often require an extended and flexible work schedule from the team as identified by the partner agency. Prescribed burns and wildfire suppression opportunities are possible but cannot be guaranteed.

Any fire suppression opportunities may require the team to extend at the end of the season. Your SCA Staff will work with each team to identify extension opportunities throughout the season that occur from AD Opportunities. Extensions are not guaranteed to every team.

This program allows participants to accrue 640 hours of federal land management, creating a pathway to receiving the Public Land Corps Certificate, allowing participants to have a hiring authority through the Federal Hiring Systems. Time tracking and time off will be monitored closely to ensure all participants are able to obtain this hiring authority by the end of the program.

Each member is expected to engage in daily tasks to achieve mission and project goals as assigned by USFS personnel and SCA Staff. Communication is key to success and each member has their own responsibility to continually develop themselves with positive personal communication strategies. All members are expected to maintain professionalism and respect towards a diverse team living and working in intense and physically demanding environments.

Program Dates

Member Start: March 28,2027

Training: March 28 - April 25, 2027

Fuel Team : April26 -September 18,2027

Member Responsibilities

• Assisting with monitoring completion of project tasks as assigned; whether it is using a chainsaw, piling brush into burn piles, working with your team to move a large rock, or doing dishes. Full engagement is expected in all work projects and community activities, both on and off duty.

• Assist the team with meal planning, developing emergency response plans, and completing logistical tasks.

• Expected to maintain a positive and productive presence for the entire length of the season.

• Recording work totals and creating reports for agency partners.

• Interfacing with general public and partner organizations in a manner that reflects positively upon the crew, organization, and agency.

• Participating in daily workflow, group physical fitness activities, and arduous daily tasks, speaking up when something is not right, and maintaining a solution-focused mindset to achieve crew objectives.

• Member Qualifications:

• Commitment to living and working within an intensive crew environment, often in close, shared spaces.

• Desire to do manual labor in all weather conditions, including wind, rain, extreme heat, extreme cold, and extremely pleasant days.

• Passion for the outdoors

• Must complete USFS and SCA Onboarding prior to training start date.

• Must complete a Health Screening Questionnaire and an in-person physical exam as required by the USFS to be cleared before the position start date.

• Must be able to pass the Arduous Work Capacity Test during the training timeline. We recommend that physical training for this test begin 4 weeks prior to arrival at training.

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 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, for example: safety glasses, hard hats, gloves, N95 or other approved face mask or shield, chainsaw 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 manage outdoor and environmental exposure (e.g., extreme temperature, wind, sun, smoke from fire, 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 lift and 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• Backpacking experience

• Camping experience

• Ability to perform arduous tasks outdoors, for several hours at a time.

• Ability to live in a multi-gendered, multi-cultured living space, sharing common spaces and communal meal settings each day.

• Eligibility to operate an SCA vehicle

• Be a minimum of 21 years old

• Possess a current and valid driver’s license,

• Have a minimum of 3 years of State authorized driving experience, and current good standing

• Pass a comprehensive motor vehicle record check

Marginal Duties

• Continued participation in physical training to keep up with the rigors of the program and federal partners.

• Occasional data collection for administrative support

• Frequent tools and gear maintenance and sharpening

• Occasional gear and tool repair/cleaning

• Helping with campsite set up, maintenance, and clean-up.

• Frequent communal living tasks such as cleaning, team meal preparation, and sanitation of shared spaces.

• Participating in occasional outreach or training support.

• Frequent participation in logistical support activities such as check ins with Staff, Reporting on Incidents, and time management of team.

Benefits and Compensation

• Total weekly/hourly stipend: $650 weekly

• Time off will affect total weekly pay and the ability to obtain Public Land Corps Certification. Pay will be adjusted based on the time off you take and may fluctuate depending on the amount of time taken.

• Total travel stipend: $350 on first pay period and $300 on your last pay period.

• Boot Allowance: Because boots are critical for safety, we are providing a $300 boot allowance to ensure proper regulation of boots are purchased.

• Time Off and health benefits: We advocate for a positive work-life balance. Approval for any member time off needs to happen 4 weeks in advance of the time off requested and the participant acknowledges a pay adjustment may be enforced to reflect time-off.

• This position is not eligible for health benefits but is covered under our Workers Compensation Coverage. You are also entitled to access to our Members Assistance Program (MAP) for access to virtual mental health visits during your position.

Housing and Meals

• Housing will consist of communal Forest Service Bunkhouse if available, consisting of 2-person rooms and shared kitchen and restrooms. Actual Housing TBD depending on forest locations and project sites. Short-term rentals will be provided by the SCA if no federal bunkhouse options are available and will consist of shared bedrooms and shared kitchen and restrooms.

• Housing is provided by the SCA regardless of option and is determined in coordination between SCA and USFS Program Staff. Occasional camping will be. All accommodations will have user/tenant agreements attached and policies agency and partner will be strictly enforced to maintain safe, professional and respectful environment by all.

• Other Accommodations
• During the training period and entirety of the season, meals are provided by SCA and managed by the crew leader. Transportation is also provided via SCA. Personal vehicles are allowed for off duty travel but are not authorized during work hours.

Training

• Training will consist of Federal Certifications for Chainsaw Operations (S-112), Basic Firefighting Training (S-130), Intro to Wildland Fire Behavior (S-190), and Basic Fireline Leadership (L-180). Other training includes Wilderness First Aid, physical training leading up to a Work Capacity Test (3-mile hike, with 45 lbs pack, in under 45 minutes to meet the qualification for confirmation of your Fire “Red Card”), and SCA Member Training, including defensive and off-road driving tests.

• Passing of the Work Capacity Test is a condition of employment. We recommend the training for this test to begin 4 weeks prior to arrival at training AND continuing throughout training leading up to the Work Capacity Test. No Re-Tests are given.

Working Conditions

Teams will be expected to travel long distances between project sites, and may live without electricity, running water, internet and/or cell phone reception for significant lengths of time. Work schedules and projects may change on short notice or be ambiguous. The work environment will consist of extreme hot and cold temperatures, adverse heat conditions which could include temperatures in some regions up to 110°F or hotter, adverse humidity, etc.

The work environment will occasionally include poor air quality conditions by nature (due to wildfire smoke, smog, etc.). Also, there could be other severe weather conditions, including heavy rain and flash flooding, gusty and strong winds, foggy or decreased visibility, and lightning events.

Exposure to natural and environmental hazards such as poison ivy, oak, or sumac, tick and mosquito-borne illness, snakes, and the potential for other wildlife encounters are all potential working conditions.

Equal Opportunity Statement

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