Wildland Fire Academy

The SCA is seeking Crew Members for its 2027 Willand Fire Academy, which provides paid job training and hands-on experience in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service.

As a member of a fuels team, you will live and work collaboratively with your team to complete fuels reduction and other projects on a national forest in the Western U.S.

To participate, all team members must pass the required Work Capacity Test by walking three miles in under 45 minutes while carrying a 45 lbs. pack/vest.

During the program, leaders and members will train, live, and work as a cohesive, dynamic crew on fuels mitigation and reduction projects. Team members will be expected to travel long distances between project sites and live for extended periods without electricity, running water and/or cell phone reception.

This is an entry-level position. The SCA provides all required training, meals, housing and transportation during the season.

Dates: March 28, 2027 – Sept. 18, 2027

Pay: $650/week + $650 Travel Allowance + $300 Boot Allowance

COMING SOON!

The SCA is seeking Team Leaders for its 2027 Willand Fire Academy, which provides paid job training and hands-on experience in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service.

As a Fuels Team Leader, you will have the incredible opportunity to mentor and support the professional development of a team of young adults, while completing fuels reduction and other projects on a national forest in the Western U.S.

To participate, all team members must pass the required Work Capacity Test by walking three miles in under 45 minutes while carrying a 45 lbs. pack/vest.

During the program, leaders and members will train, live, and work as a cohesive, dynamic crew on fuels mitigation and reduction projects. Team members will be expected to travel long distances between project sites and live for extended periods without electricity, running water and/or cell phone reception.

This is not an entry-level position. We are looking for Fuels Team Leaders with more advanced technical skills and leadership experience to teach and empower the next generation of conservation and fuels professionals.

Dates: March 1, – Sept. 25, 2027

Pay: $1,000/week + $1,000 Travel Allowance + $300 Boot Allowance

Teams will be provided shared front country housing at no cost to crew members for the season.

Housing will be in either a communal Forest Service Bunkhouse or short-term rental with 2-person bedrooms and shared kitchen and restrooms.

Occasional camping may be required that the SCA provides the gear for.

The SCA provides each team with communal camping equipment, such as stoves and cookware. Team members will receive a personal tent.

The SCA will also provide a uniform package including a sun hat, green NOMEX pants and a yellow NOMEX shirt for work, a long-sleeved work shirt, some short-sleeve shirts, and a warm work hooded sweatshirt.

Additional gear includes two 1-Liter water bottles, a 30-liter daypack, and personal protective equipment. The Wildland Fire Academy requires team members to provide their own leather fire boots but provides a $300 allowance to help cover the cost of this expensive required uniform item. Team members must provide all other equipment.

The SCA will provide a full packing list before the season.

This role is a hands-on, outdoors opportunity where you will work with a team of five people (four members and one experienced leader) to perform fuels reduction and other conservation projects in the National Forests of the Western U.S.

This position could take place in either frontcountry or backcountry locations, meaning that it takes place within one hour of immediate medical attention, although some projects may take place in more remote locations.

It is a physically demanding position, involving hiking long distances, working and hiking with hand tools and chainsaws, and spending extended time outdoors in varied weather conditions.

You should expect to have limited access to amenities such as running water, electricity, and phone service or internet access while working.

Some evenings or weekends may be required for prescribed fire and other opportunities.

The environmental conditions that teams will be exposed to throughout the season are as varied as the Western U.S. landscapes.

Some teams may work in high altitude conditions in the mountains. Some teams will work in wet and snowy conditions, while others work in very hot and exposed locations in high desert and chaparral landscapes.

Teams are exposed to a number of weather conditions, such as fire, thunder and lightning storms, snow, rain and high temperatures.

• Build your resume with the following qualifications provided by the program:
• Wilderness First Aid (Members) or Wilderness First Responder (Leaders) and CPR
• S-112
• S-130
• S-190
• Incident Qualification Card (Red Card)

Participation in this program will provide team member with experience that can help further their careers in fire and fuels programs and will make them great candidates for careers in conservation and land management.

This program is also authorized under the PLC hiring authority, meaning that in appreciation for your service at the end of your term, the hours worked in this position are eligible toward the Public Land Corps hiring authority. After a specified number of hours, team members’ applications receive priority when applying for positions with federal agencies such as the National Park Service, the Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management.

A strong sense of team, community and shared responsibility is central to this program. All team members should expect to fully participate in shared community responsibilities such as cleaning chores, cooking meals, and grocery shopping

This is not an AmeriCorps Eligible position.