Overview
The Student Conservation Association (SCA) is partnering again with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) to administer the Integrated Fire and Recreation (IFR) Internship. This program is a full time, 16-week, paid internship opportunity which prioritizes mission-critical work in fire and recreation while providing young adults with a high-quality internship experience. We value and seek greater diversity in our programs to enrich and broaden our community and tackle ever-changing and more complex conservation and social issues. We seek a diverse group of candidates and encourage applications from female-identifying or members of other marginalized communities interested in employment with USFS.
The internship will start with a two-week training with basic firefighter training (S-130 & S-190), an arduous work capacity test, and basic trail management and maintenance. After the training, interns will spend approximately 14 weeks on districts implementing what they learned in the field. Upon completion of their 640-hour internship, interns will have the opportunity to earn the Public Land Corps Hiring Authority giving them eligibility to apply to merit vacancy announcements for two years with the Federal Government.
Program Details:
Tentative Dates: 1/10/2022 – 4/29/2022
Two week training followed by a 14 week placement in the field
Qualified applicants will be able to express interest in their preferred sites
Candidates will likely have the opportunity to go on AD status to fight wildfire for a portion of their internship. If that is the case, interns will need to extend their internships end date by the same amount of days.
Duties:
Under close supervision, receive on-the-job training in fire suppression and prevention
Assist with fuel management fire suppression such as fireline construction and backfiring
Move dirt, chop brush, or fell small trees to build fireline using hand tools
Patrol fireline to location and extinguish sparks, flare-ups and hot spot fire
Perform other resource management activities as assigned
Benefits:
$500 / week living allowance
$500 / month Housing or monthly housing allowance provided
$650 Travel allowance paid once
Red card certification (Wildland Fire)
If internship is completed, interns will earn the Public Land Corps Hiring Authority giving them eligibility to apply to merit vacancy announcements for two years.
Likely potential to extend internship
Training and skill-building needed to effectively compete for permanent positions throughout the Region.
Applications accepted on a rolling basis but those submitted by October 9th will be given priority.
Qualifications:
Eligibility:
US Citizen or Permanent Resident
18-30 years of age
Completion of Associates degree
Background in natural resource management or biological sciences.
Physically fit
Interested in working outside
Positive attitude
2.0 or high GPA
Members may have to provide proof of vaccination
About Student Conservation Association
Today, SCA’s mission is to build the next generation of conservation leaders and inspire lifelong stewardship of the environment and communities by engaging young people in hands-on service to the land. Members participate in a variety of capacities and contexts. Beyond national parks, members work on marine sanctuaries, cultural landmarks, and community green spaces in our nation’s urban centers. Members do land management, habitat restoration, trail building, disaster rehabilitation or prevention work, environmental education, public outreach, and more.
