Fire Crew Leader
Conservation Legacy
Position Title: Fire Crew Leader
Conservation Legacy Program: Conservation Corps North Carolina
Site Location: Bahama, North Carolina / Holly Shelter Gamelands
Terms of Service:
- Start Date: 01/12/2026
- End Date: 04/17/202 or 05/01/2026
- Crew Leader Training: January 12th – 16th, Weekly from January 19th - May 1st
-
Status: Seasonal, Full-time, Day Crew Program
Conservation Corps North Carolina:
The mission of Conservation Corps North Carolina (CCNC) is to empower young adults through meaningful outdoor work that benefits North Carolina’s land and water and creates healthy communities.
CCNC is a program of Conservation Legacy that partners with public land managers in North Carolina to engage motivated young adults (ages 18-30, or 35 if a veteran) to complete challenging and impactful conservation service projects throughout the region. Projects may include trail construction & maintenance, habitat improvement, hazard fuel reduction, and ecological restoration. Crews may also complete technical and/or specialized projects depending on project partner needs, including disaster relief if the opportunity arises.
Purpose:
The Crew Leader I position is an opportunity to make a difference in young peoples’ lives while completing conservation projects on public and private lands. Leaders will be mentors, educators, and facilitators for young adults, working to promote the health and resiliency of our land, air, and water. Standard schedule generally consists of Monday – Friday, 8-hour workdays, plus occasional overtime. Crew Leaders may also be required to come into the office to complete administrative duties and check-ins with program staff.
This season CCNC is hiring for two prescribed fire crews in partnership with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission:
Hampstead Crew: 2 Staff Crew Leaders & 4 Crew Members (Season ends on May 1st)
Bahama Crew: 1 Staff Crew Leader, 1 Assistant Crew Leader & 3 Crew Members (Season ends on April 17th)
Description of Duties:
Each crew will be primarily stationed in their home base — the Bahama crew in Bahama, NC, and the Hampstead crew in Hampstead, NC — with opportunities for both crews to travel to other parts of the state if additional projects become available. All crews will begin with a joint training course located in one location. During travel, crews will be expected to camp in established or primitive campsites with the necessary supplies provided to support their needs. The program will offer education, certifications, and on-the-job experience to help participants pursue a variety of natural resource management careers.
These projects will include but not limited to:
-
Prescribed burn operations with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
-
Fire prep-work such as creating and maintaining fire breaks, and fuels reduction projects
Hand tools, drip torches, and backpack blowers will be frequently used by this crew for the preparation and completion of prescribed burns. Tools such as chainsaws, brush cutters, and more will be used as required when additional equipment is beneficial.
Schedule & Crew Life:
The crew will live, train, and work together as a team. It will be a flex schedule with a base schedule of 5 days on, 2 days off, 8 hours per day or 4 days on, 3 days off, 10 hours per day. During the fire season, the crew should anticipate working extended shifts up to 14 hours to accommodate long burn projects including night burns. The crew leader will work with CCNC staff to create work schedules and plans to complete assigned project work. The Crew Leader will supervise the crew’s living arrangements, which typically requires the crew to live in provided cabins close to project locations for different lengths of time. In general, hours will be 7:00 am to 3:30 or 5:30 pm and include two paid fifteen-minute breaks and one unpaid half hour lunch break.
While the staff at CCNC and partners work to provide consistency throughout the season, personal flexibility is expected and should be prepared for when entering the term as schedules, times, and work locations are subject to change per project needs.
CCNC supports a culture of feedback and growth. Crew Members will set goals at the beginning of the season and review their performance through both self-evaluation and a review with their Crew Leader in the middle and at the end of their season. Evaluations will cover topic areas including Professionalism, Responsibility/Leadership/Communication, Community Engagement, Project Work, Safety & Organization, and Equipment. Crew Members will also be asked to evaluate their Crew Leaders’ performance, the overall program, and their experience at the end of their term.
Responsibilities:
Leadership & Mentorship
-
Mentor crew members by providing valuable feedback, giving opportunities for growth, delegating responsibilities, and encouraging technical and leadership skill development.
-
Implement skills training on worksite and facilitate intentional discussions via informal lessons to contribute to the crew’s personal growth and group dynamics.
-
Promote individual corps member development and a safe, healthy, cohesive, other-centered and team-oriented community.
-
Follow and enforce all policies, maintain professional boundaries, and appropriately represent the program. This includes creating a substance free work environment, refraining from the use of tobacco products, alcohol, and drugs while involved in the program.
Project Management & Implementation
-
Train, motivate and supervise a crew of young adults to efficiently complete tasks and objectives outlined in conservation projects, while working long hours and managing high quality of work and crew morale.
-
Think critically to resolve issues and solve problems, requesting assistance or help when needed.
-
Communicate & coordinate logistics with project partners, crew, & staff.
Safety & Risk Management
-
Monitor, manage, and promote the holistic health of the crew, including physical and emotional (intimidation free community environment) safety.
-
Exhibit strong situational awareness & promote a culture of safety.
-
Transport crew and equipment safely in organizational vans or large SUVs with trailers in accordance with CL Driver policy.
-
Manage and document incidents in the field and activate incident response system, if needed, per Conservation Legacy policy.
Administration:
-
Thorough documentation of crew hours, accomplishments, disciplinary actions taken, and incident response according to Conservation Legacy policy and procedure.
-
Manage company credit card for purchases.
-
Track and submit credit card receipts for all expenses every month.
Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications:
-
-
Prescribed and/or wildland fire experience (Interagency Hot Shot Crew, Type-2 Hand Crew, Engine Crew, etc.)
-
FFT2 (S-130, S-190, ICS-100, L-180, IS-700)
-
Chainsaw operation (felling/bucking) and maintenance experience
-
Experience operating and maintaining hand and power tools in a safe and efficient manner
-
Crew leadership experience in a relevant field (fire crews, experiential education, outdoor leadership schools, conservation crews, etc.)
-
CPR/First Aid certification
-
Ability to record and maintain data and keep monitoring records.
-
Excellent teaching/mentoring skills as well as strong conflict resolution and team building skills
-
Experience driving large vehicle with trailer
-
Flexibility, adaptability and capacity to work in a changing work environment including willingness to work a varying schedule.
-
Ability to perform administrative duties, such as managing the crew budget and project information
-
Strong written and verbal communication skills
-
Successfully pass the Arduous/Pack Test/3-mile hike with 45-pound pack in 45 minutes
-
Valid driver’s license and an insurable driving record
-
Have U.S. Citizenship or Legal Permanent Residency Status
-
High School Diploma or GED
Preferred Qualifications or a Strong Desire to Grow in the Following:-
Prior Conservation Corps Experience
-
Leadership experience
-
Experience working and living with crew members
-
Wilderness First Aid/Responder certification
-
Experience with backpacking, wilderness travel, camp management and outdoor leadership
-
Experience operating UTV’s and other mechanized equipment
-
Associates degree with 1-year experience or bachelor’s degree in forestry, biology, ecology, natural resources management or related fields
-
NWCG or Equivalent Faller B Chainsaw certification
-
Our Commitment:
Conservation Legacy is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential functions. Some positions may require periodic overnight travel, non-traditional 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. Ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.
Benefits:
Wages: $20-25 per hour, depending on prior experience and certifications, plus overtime
Benefits: Health Insurance (eligible 60 days after start date)
Supervisor Name and Contact Information:
Drew Gotwals: agotwals@conservationlegacy.org
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.