Fire & Recreation Crew Member

Job Overview

Title: AmeriCorps Crew Member – Kentucky Fire & Recreation Crew 

Reports to: Crew Leader 

Duty Station: Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, Golden Pond, KY 

(Ideally, members will live within one hour of duty station. Optional shared housing available during off time*) 

Locations: Crew will be based out of Kentucky. Service projects will take place in Kentucky.  

Season Dates: 01/13/2025 – 05/23/2025 

Status: This is a full-time, seasonal, 19-week- 675-hour AmeriCorps National Service position  

Stipend: $400/week AmeriCorps living allowance, plus $300/week additional benefit ($700/week total, pre-tax, disbursed bi-weekly)  

AmeriCorps Award: A $2,817.14 AmeriCorps Education Award upon successful completion of the program. 

Other Benefits: Wilderness First Aid, USFS chainsaw recognized certification, certifications related to wildland fire, Public Land Corps Hiring Authority Certificate (upon successful completion of hours), $200 fire boot stipend, food & transportation provided while in the field overnight, uniform shirts, personal protective equipment, and other developmental opportunities as available. 

Crew Structure: 1 Crew Leader, 1 Assistant Crew Leader, 4 Crew Members 

Southeast Conservation Corps: 
Engaging future leaders who protect, restore, and enhance our nation’s lands through community-based service.  

Southeast Conservation Corps (SECC), a program of Conservation Legacy, is a non-profit, AmeriCorps-affiliated organization. SECC selects young adults, ages 18-30, up to 35 for veterans, to complete conservation service projects on public lands throughout the Southeast. SECC provides members with impactful opportunities through a unique set of programs that engage people in meaningful education and service to their communities and natural landscapes. SECC serves a diverse population that is representative of the Southeast, including youth, graduates, veterans, and a cross-section of ethnicities and income levels. SECC is also an active member of the AmeriCorps Disaster Response Team (A-DRT), and as such, selected crews may be deployed on Disaster response projects for up to 30 days.  

SECC partners with various land management agencies in Tennessee and throughout the Southeast region, such as the United States Forest Service, National Park Service, State Parks, and conservation-based non-profits. Projects vary but include trail construction and maintenance, ecosystem restoration, habitat restoration, fire fuels reduction, fencing on public lands, invasive weed removal, herbicide applications, and many others. The projects are manual labor based and most projects require a hike into and out of the project site daily carrying tools and a day pack.    

Crews will serve in frontcountry and backcountry locations in all types of weather conditions. Schedules may vary, but generally are 9 days on and 5 days off for camping crews. Project days are 10-hour shifts with scheduled breaks throughout the day. Depending on project and location, other schedule variations may be implemented. While the staff at SECC strives to provide consistency throughout the season, personal flexibility is expected and should be prepared for when entering the term as schedules, times, and project locations are subject to change per project needs.     

SECC is an independent, non-residential program. Crew Members are responsible for finding and attaining their own housing when not in the field. On-hitch crews prepare all their own meals and participate as a group to complete all necessary chores. Community/camp chores will be completed every evening, with many evenings including group discussions, conservation and/or corps related topics. The Crew Members must supply 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. SECC will provide group camp equipment, tools, protective gear and transportation between duty station and project sites.    

Service Project:  

Research shows that members of marginalized groups – including women, LGBTQIA+ identifying people, Black, Indigenous, and other people of color (BIPOC) – tend to apply to jobs only if they meet every single requirement listed. Here at Southeast Conservation Corps, we want the best candidates for the job, and those candidates don’t always meet 100% of the requirements listed. If you are passionate about uniting, empowering, and celebrating diverse communities for all and breaking down barriers for equity, we encourage you to apply – especially if you’re a member of a structurally marginalized group. We look forward to your application. 

Southeast Conservation Corps (SECC), The Daniel Boone National Forest, and Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area have partnered to host a Kentucky Fire & Recreation Crew. This crew will engage in various natural resource management projects through fuels management, prescribed fire, and developed recreation service projects. The Kentucky Fire & Recreation Crew provides an open and supportive space where members collaborate, learn from, and grow alongside one another as members gain leadership and technical skills, and engage in professional development opportunities through trainings and certifications related to fire and developed recreation management. As a crew, you will perform manual labor and complete conservation projects using various manual and power tools. You will be engaged in the program as a leader and will participate/ facilitate in environmental education and leadership development activities in addition to service projects. Risk management is of utmost importance, and all policies and procedures must be followed.  

The term of service will include a variety of tasks aimed at improving and maintaining recreation sites and supporting forest management activities. The primary responsibilities include but are not limited to: 

Developed Recreation:  

• Heavy Recreation Site Improvements 

• Restoration/Stabilization 

• Gravel Surfacing 

• Painting and Repairs 

• Data Collection 

• Trail Building/Maintenance 

Prescribed Fire Activities: 

• Chainsaw use  

• Establishing prescribed fire containment lines 

• Providing holding and ignition resources for multiple prescribed burn units 

• Trail Building/Maintenance: 

Members will earn the following training and certifications: 

*Members may not exceed 20% of their total term hours as trainings 

• ICS-100 (Intro to Incident Command System)  

• IS-700 (Intro to the National Incident Management System)  

• S-130 (Firefighter Training)  

• S-190 (Into to Wildland Fire Behavior)  

• L-180 (Human Factors in Wildland Fire Service)  

• USFS chainsaw recognized certifications  

• Red Card via successful completion of the Moderate Pack Test  

• 2-mile hike in 30 minutes with 25 pounds  

• Trail construction and Maintenance  

• Wilderness First Aid certification 

Hitch Schedule:    

This position will operate on a variable “hitch” schedule. For example, the schedule could be 9 days on – 5 days off, 4 days on – 3 days off, or 5 days on – 2 days off. The schedule will shift based on project and partner needs and will include group camping while on hitch. Generally, it will follow 9 days on and 5 days off for camping crews. Project days follow a 10-hour shift with scheduled time for breaks. Applicants should be prepared to camp during hitches for the duration of the season, with lodging provided on a case-by-case basis if necessary.   

While the staff at SECC and partners strive to provide consistency throughout the season, personal flexibility is expected and should be prepared for when entering the term as schedules, times, and project locations are subject to change per project needs.      

Optional Housing during Off-Hitch* 

SECC is an independent, non-residential program. Crew Members are responsible for finding and attaining their own housing when not in the field.  

Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area (LBL) has offered shared housing options for SECC crew members during their off-hitch time. This housing is optional and available at no cost from February 2025 – May 2025. Housing will be a shared 3 bedroom/1 bathroom trailer with utilities and washer & dryer included. Internet not included.  

• Members are required to follow the set housing regulations required by LBL to utilize this housing. 

Prohibited Activities:  

While charging time to the AmeriCorps program, accumulating service or training hours, or otherwise performing activities supported by the AmeriCorps program or the Corporation, staff and members may not engage in activities listed in CFR §2520.65. 

Serve Kentucky: 

SECC’s 2025 Kentucky Fire & Rec Crew is an AmeriCorps program administered by Serve Kentucky and funded by AmeriCorps, the federal agency.   

Position Reporting: Members are required to complete the following: 

• Midterm and Final Eval: Crew Leaders evaluate members’ term of service. This is completed at the midway point of service and upon completion of service. 

• Exit Survey: Conservation Legacy will require an exit survey for each member to provide an overview of their entire term of service.  

• AmeriCorps Exit Survey: Completed by the member at the end of service per AmeriCorps compliance. 

Expectations of an SECC Corpsmember:   

• Expect to spend long days in a frontcountry or backcountry location. Project days will include hiking and strenuous labor in remote settings in all weather conditions.   

• SECC is a non-residential program, meaning crew members are responsible for attaining and paying for their own housing when not in the field.   

• Crews prepare all their own meals while in-field and as a group complete all necessary chores. Community/camp chores will be completed every evening, with many evenings including group discussions on conservation and/or corps related topics.    

• Crew members must supply 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. SECC will provide group camp equipment, tools, protective gear, and transportation between SECC office and project sites.    

• While participating in a term of National Service, SECC crews engage in a variety of team dynamics, emphasizing respect for fellow members, partners, the public, and the land they encounter. 

• SECC expects members to represent the program in a professional manner.  

• Crew life will include our corps values of challenge, stewardship, dedication, community, integrity, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).    

• Members are expected to be timely, hardworking, flexible, and complete all functions of tasks assigned.   

Required Skills:   

Minimum Qualifications:      

• Must be between ages 18 and 30, and up to 35 if a military veteran.  

• Able to pass the moderate level pack test. (https://bit.ly/3QKjKF3) 

• Must be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident and provide primary documentation to support this   

• Must be cleared through an acceptable check of the National Sex Offender Public Registry, as well as state and federal Criminal History Checks   

• Must have a high school diploma, GED, or agree to attain either during term of service (this is essential to obtaining and using the AmeriCorps Education Award)   

• Exhibits the ability to effectively collaborate on diverse teams or with a variety of populations, including those underrepresented at our organization and those of BIPOC communities. 

• Comfortable with ambiguity and being a part of a fast-paced team driven by innovation and entrepreneurial approaches. 

Preferred Qualifications:   

• General comfort with and prior experience in outdoor environments. 

• Experience with BIPOC communities 

• Strong interest in a future career in natural resources, environmental science, parks and recreation, or conservation. 

Compensation:     
AmeriCorps members will receive an AmeriCorps living stipend of $400/week, plus $300/week additional benefit ($700/week total, pre-tax), dispersed biweekly. Upon successful completion of the term of service AmeriCorps members will earn an AmeriCorps Segal Education Award to be used for student loans, qualifying programs/classes, or tuition for traditional Title IV accredited colleges.      

Participant Essential Eligibility Requirements: 
Essential eligibility requirements for the program must be met. If you are unable to meet certain requirements, we may be able to assist you with some modification unless it alters the fundamental nature of the program, compromises the health and safety of participants or staff, or places an undue financial or administrative burden on the organization. These requirements are written the same for all positions and therefore may not apply directly to your position.  

Participation and Expedition Behavior   

• Serve 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   

• Contribute to a safe learning environment; no harassment of others for any reason.   

• Willingness and ability to complete all aspects of the program including conservation projects, education, training, and national service. Members must commit to participating in all crew/team activities, including service days in local communities where applicable.   

• Effectively communicate ideas and concerns as they arise directly to supervisors, colleagues, and organization staff.   

• Have the cognitive ability to learn necessary skills and apply them to effectively carry out the service project requirements   

• Appropriately represent the Program and AmeriCorps to the public and project partners at all times.   

   
Safety and Judgment: 

• Effectively communicate danger to others in the form of either a warning of danger others may be encountering or a notification of personal distress, injury or need for assistance. You must be able to do so at a distance of up to 50 meters and in conditions with limited visibility or loud background noise such as darkness or high winds.   

• Effectively perceive, understand, and follow direction by others so that you will be able to successfully execute appropriate and perhaps unfamiliar techniques to manage hazards. These directions may be given before the hazard is encountered or may need to be given during exposure to the hazard.   

• Stay alert and focused for several hours at a time while traveling and serving n varied weather conditions   

• Perceive and comprehend significant and apparent hazards, including those hazards previously identified by others.    

• Respond appropriately to stress or crises.   

• If taking prescription medications, participants must be able to maintain proper dosage by self-medicating without assistance from others.    

Environmental Ethics:  

• Learn, practice, and teach ‘Leave no Trace’ techniques  

Outdoor Skills and Fitness (where appropriate)   

• Learn and safely perform fundamental outdoor living, travel, and industry skills as appropriate to the project. Additionally, remain adequately hydrated, fed, and properly dressed so as to remain generally healthy and safe, avoiding environmental injuries.    

• Live in a physically demanding, possibly remote environment for an uninterrupted period of up to several weeks. Conditions of this environment may vary significantly and may include severe and/or trying weather. The remoteness is such that it may require at a minimum one hour, but perhaps in excess of 12 hours, to reach the nearest advanced medical care.    

Substance Free  

In accordance with a drug free environment, alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in AmeriCorps and program activities and while on organization property.  

This program is available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, marital or parental status, genetic information, and military service. Where a significant portion of the population eligible to be served needs services or information in a language other than English, the recipient shall take reasonable steps to provide written material of the type ordinarily available to the public in appropriate languages. 

To Apply: Complete the Application, upload cover letter and resume.  

Questions can be addressed to: 

Angela Gerstner 

Recruitment Coordinator 

[email protected]