Position Title: Veteran Fire Crew Member
Location: Based out of New River Gorge National Park
Compensation: $900 per week ($600 living stipend + $300 additional benefit)
Start Date: September 7th, 2026
End Date: December 17th, 2026
AmeriCorps Education Award: $1,956.35 upon successful completion of service term
Appalachian Conservation Corps works to connect young people to critical conservation service work across Appalachia and neighboring communities in Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Maryland, DC, and Pennsylvania. As an AmeriCorps program, we partner with public land managers to identify, plan, and complete projects that improve public access, habitat quality, and economic development.
Appalachian Conservation Corps is a program of Conservation Legacy, a nationwide network of conservation service organizations envisioning a world with healthy lands, air, and water, thriving people, and resilient communities. We aim to engage future leaders who protect, restore, and enhance our public lands through community-based service. We welcome national applicants but also emphasize the engagement of local individuals who represent the communities in which they serve.
The Veterans Fire Corps (VFC) program provides training, certifications, and on-the-job experience for veterans aged 18-35 who are interested in entering careers and gaining experience in wildland firefighting and natural resource management. The program engages veterans in a cohort environment to train and complete projects related primarily to fuels management, which may include prescribed burning and wildland firefighting. The crew should also be prepared to assist on a variety of projects including trail maintenance, invasive species removal, and habitat management.
This crew will typically be stationed at New River Gorge National Park in West Virginia but can also be deployed to other National Park Service sites within the Northeast region.
Crews consist of four crew members and two crew leaders who provide project expertise, mentorship, training, and support for the success of all participants. While prior experience with outdoor work can be helpful, it is not a necessity for this position. We ask that crew members embrace learning opportunities, face challenges, and build community with their crew.
The schedule for this crew is heavily dependent on weather, partner schedules, and varying workload at any given time in the season. We ask members to be flexible and open to changing needs throughout the season. The typical hitch schedule is Monday through Thursday each week. While in the field, crew members work outdoors in all types of weather conditions for 10 hours a day.
Appalachian Conservation Corps is an independent, non-residential program. Crews are responsible for their own food and transportation when they are not in the field. While participants are asked to supply as much of their personal equipment as possible, loaner gear will be available if needed. A gear list is provided upon acceptance into the program.
Food is provided while in the field. Crews work together to plan meals and complete necessary chores (cooking, washing dishes, etc.). Most dietary restrictions can be accommodated if known ahead of time. We also provide group camping equipment, tools, protective gear, uniform shirts, and transportation between Appalachian Conservation Corps offices/lodging sites and project sites.
Lodging is provided for the duration of this position. This lodging may vary throughout the season and could be a house or a campsite. Crews are required to use the provided lodging during work periods (hitches). During hitch, the crew will live, prepare meals, and work together as a group to complete all projects and chores. Lodging will remain available for participants who would like to stay on site during their days off, however this is not required.
Members may be required to participate in service projects or events as part of their service terms. Prior to their start date, selected participants are required to complete an enrollment process that includes completing e-forms, uploading IDs, orientation on AmeriCorps prohibited activities, and beginning their background check process.
Appalachian Conservation Corps supports a culture of feedback and growth. Participants will set goals at the beginning of the season and review their performance in the middle and at the end of their season. Participants will also be asked to evaluate the program and their experience. Overall performance will be measured by assignment completion, hours served, and other criteria set at the start of the service term.
- $900 per week ($600 living stipend + $300 additional benefit)
-
$1,956.35 Segal AmeriCorps Education Award upon successful completion of service term.
-
On-the-job training and certification opportunities including Wildland Fire Red Card, S212 Chainsaw Certification, and Wilderness First Aid.
-
AmeriCorps members may be eligible for student loan forbearance.
-
Member Assistance Program – 3 free sessions of support with a counseling or work-life balance specialist.
-
Professional development opportunities (mentorship, networking, resume support, etc.) and exposure to natural resource career paths.
- Be a military veteran able to provide a DD-214 or NGB-22.
-
Able to pass the USFS arduous level pack test (3-mile hike with 45-pound pack within 45 minutes).
-
Be between the ages of 18 and 35.
-
Have US citizenship or legal permanent residency status.
-
Have a high school diploma or GED.
-
Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.
-
No previous experience is required, but general comfort and previous exposure to working outdoors and/or camping are helpful.
Conservation Legacy is committed to the full consideration of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodations to perform essential job functions. Physical requirements may include periodic overnight travel, non-traditional work 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. The ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.
Any questions can be addressed to:
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.
