2023 Roving Forest Management Corps Crew Members - receive the Public Lands Corps Noncompetitive Hiring Authority!
The Roving Forest Management Corps is a highly mobile team that will work with the Student Conservation Association (SCA) and the US Forest Service (USFS) Region 8. We are recruiting for three teams this year, each team consisting of 1 Leader and 3 Members.
While subject to change, one team will likely rove through NC, TN, AR, OK, and TX, another through NC, TN, SC, and VA, and the third team through NC, TN, and KY. Each crew will work at various National Forests within USFS Region 8, with frequent travel between locations.
Each team will assist forests in achieving land management objectives, including:
- restoring native plant communities and diversity
- improving and maintaining forest health
- supporting fish habitat
- eradicating and managing invasive species
PLEASE NOTE: These teams will be applying chemical herbicides. These projects include treatment of trees and non-native plants with pesticides. Mechanical treatments involve felling saplings and/or mature trees with a chainsaw. The crew may also assist with non-native plant reconnaissance, tree plantings, preparation of silvicultural treatment areas (e.g., flagging and mapping boundaries) and other conservation tasks.
Members of this team should be prepared to camp at front country campsites. Campsite amenities vary and cell/internet service may be limited. Crew may also stay at USFS housing at some sites.
The three teams will train together at the start of the season (location TBD). Each team of four will remain together for the entirety of the season. Team members should be flexible, willing to share space with their team, participate in community living, and be invested in their personal and professional growth.
Strong member candidates will have a background in tree and non-native plant identification and/or a degree or experience in forestry, biology, environmental science, or similar natural resource field. In addition to having strong conservation work skills, we are looking for hardworking members who are responsible, excel in a team environment, and are emotionally mature.
Program Dates:
January 17 - 27: Crew member training
January 30 - May 26: Project work
Note that one team may extend out to June 2nd and one team may end earlier on May 19.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Engage as a crew member to promote healthy group dynamics, and promote effective and productive teamwork;
- Work variable hours (long days and/or weekend), at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, in varying weather conditions, and under physically demanding circumstances;
- Use technical equipment including a chainsaw, backpack sprayer, hand tools.
Strong candidates will have the following knowledge, skills, experience:
- Experience working in an outdoor setting;
- Coursework or degree in dendrology, botany, forestry, biology, environmental science, or similar natural resource field;
- Experience using pesticides in forestry applications;
- Experience operating various types of forestry equipment in a safe and efficient manner (chainsaws, backpack sprayers, two-way radio, etc.);
- Ability to complete tasks independently with respect to timeline(s);
- Ability to identify southeastern trees and non-native plants;
- Positive communication skills and ability to work with a team.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Valid driver’s license and motor vehicle record (MVR) that meets SCA standards required;
- Be a minimum of 18 years of age;
- Have ability to legally work in the US;
- Ability to meet SCA’s criminal background check standards;
- Ability to safely perform manual, physical labor for up to 8-10 hours per day, exposed to the elements and most occasionally lift and/or move 40 pounds or more.
- Ability to demonstrate full vaccination status for COVID-19. Click here to read more about SCA’s COVID-19 policy.
Team Member Benefits:
- $600/week living allowance*
- $650 travel allowance*
- SCA uniform items
- Housing and field-based meals
- Americorps Education Award eligibility, upon completion of full season. Note that candidates hired after 12/23 will not be eligible for Americorps due to onboarding restrictions.
- Public Land Corps Hiring Authority eligibility (once position is completed, team members will be earn PLC certificates that can be used for USFS job applications for two years)
- Training opportunities including SCA orientation, Wilderness First Aid, herbicide, and chainsaw
*All allowances subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes.
- Training Provided
- Wilderness First Aid, Chainsaw, Pesticide Application
Main Area of Focus
Natural Resources Mgmt
Education, Training & Skills Expected
Forestry: some coursework or experience
Resource Management: some coursework or experience
Backpacking: competent without supervision
Camping: competent without supervision
Chain Saw Skills: competent with supervision
Field Research: competent without supervision
Hand Tools: competent without supervision
Plant Identification: competent without supervision