Overview
Position Title: AmeriCorps Crew Leader – Veterans Fire Crew
Location: New River Gorge National Park & Preserve, WV
Compensation: $950 per week ($600 living stipend + $350 additional benefit)
Dates: September 7th to December 17th 2026
AmeriCorps Education Award: $1,956.35 upon successful completion of a 450-hour service term
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.
The AmeriCorps Crew Leader (ACL) is a full partner in the crew’s leadership, helping to communicate directions, projects specifications and constructive criticism throughout the term. This position requires open dialog with the staff crew leader, helping them to manage projects, project partners, communications, overall logistics, and crew assignments.
It means more than just showing up and doing the work; it means setting an example of how to work hard with great enthusiasm through all kinds of conditions while practicing good judgement and safety. It means facilitating learning experience for crew members, both formally and informally. This position may require additional participation time outside of standard project and crew hours.
During their time in the field, crews perform heavy manual labor on environmental conservation projects in all types of weather conditions for 10 hours each day. Crew members and leaders may go through trainings including Wildland Fire Red Card, S212 Chainsaw Certification, and Wilderness First Aid to gain necessary certifications to complete crew projects.
Qualifications:
• Military veteran
• Able to pass the USFS arduous level pack test
• Age 18 to 35.
• US citizenship or legal permanent residency
• High school diploma or GED.
• Provide information to establish eligibility and complete a National Service Criminal History Check.
• Over the age of 21 or have possessed a driver’s license for 3 or years more without any restrictions (to pass minimum insurability requirements for crew transport driving duties).
Required Skills:
• Willingness to participate in community-building activities and solution-oriented problem solving with peer leaders.
• Experience with backpacking, wilderness living and travel, and LNT principles.
Preferred Skills:
• Understanding of and experience with the mission and field management considerations of conservation corps and public land agencies.
• Technical wildland fire, trails, herbicide, or chainsaw experience.
• Background with experiential and/or environmental education.
• Facilitation and team-building experience.
• Strong conflict resolution skills.
About Appalachian Conservation Corps
Appalachian Conservation Corps (ACC) 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 a corps program, ACC partners with public land managers to identify, plan, and complete projects that improve public access, habitat quality, and economic development. ACC is a program of Conservation Legacy, a nationwide network of conservation service organizations. Our programs focus on service, place-based learning, life skills development, appreciation of diversity, civic responsibility, and career development. ACC also provides an opportunity for members to learn about the local environment and issues affecting it and introduces individuals to recreation and resource management careers. ACC welcomes national applicants, but also emphasizes the engagement of local individuals who represent the communities in which they serve.
