What are the responsibilities and job description for the Individual Placement - Prescribed Fire Forestry Technician position at Student Conservation Association, Inc?
Program Dates: 01/05/2026 – 11/13/2026
About us:
The Student Conservation Association (SCA) is the largest provider of hands-on environmental conservation programs for youth and young adults. Program participants protect and restore national parks, marine sanctuaries, cultural landmarks, and community green spaces across the country.
Program Description:
Key duties and responsibilities:
Prescribed fire preparation – construct firelines with hand tools, fall trees that threaten the fireline (S212 required for sawyers) or assist FWS sawyer by swamping down trees, operate ATV/UTV (USFWS training required prior to operation). Prescribed fire implementation – serve as Firefighter Type 2 with FWS fire crew to ignite and hold prescribed fires. Ignition may be either interior or exterior. Holding will be by foot, ATV/UTV, or engine. NOTE – ability to earn firefighter type 2 certification is required. This certification requires passing the arduous pack test, i.e. carrying a 45 pound pack three miles in 45 minutes or less. Crew will participate in weekly physical fitness training to maintain fitness level throughout burn season. Red-cockaded woodpecker monitoring – verify RCW breeding season productivity using peeper camera and climbing ladders. Assist with chick banding.
Forest inventory – measure trees, fuels and ground cover on permanent monitoring plots. Background in dendrology and/or botany is helpful.
Assist with hunter check stations and collection of biological information during managed deer hunts. Exotic plant control. This includes herbicide application. NOTE – the intern will not use restricted use herbicides, and they will work under a refuge employee’s certified applicator’s license.
Other duties include timber marking, quail, butterfly and other wildlife monitoring, boundary line, and trail and other public use area maintenance.
Marginal Duties:
Other duties as assigned.
Member Benefits:
· $1,100 one-time travel allowance (personal vehicle is required).
· $450 / week living allowance
· Shared housing provided on site
This SCA Position is authorized under the Public Land Corps Authority. All participants must be between the ages of 16 and 30, inclusive, or veterans aged 35 or younger, at the start of the position. Participants must also be a citizen or national of the United States or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States. Hours served can be applied toward the Public Land Corps (PLC) hiring authority.
Member Qualifications:
- Driver’s license
- Required: candidates must have chainsaw experience.
- Personal vehicle required.
Equal Opportunity Statement
SCA strives to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all staff members. SCA is committed to maintaining a work atmosphere in which people of diverse backgrounds and lifestyles may grow personally and professionally. The Student Conservation Association, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.
Physical requirements and working conditions specific to the position are available in the full job description.
AmeriCorps Enrollment Notice
- This position may be eligible for AmeriCorps enrollment. However, SCA has not yet received confirmation of a grant award for this program. If funding is awarded, you may qualify for an AmeriCorps Education Award. If not, you will serve in a non-AmeriCorps role with the same living allowance and benefits. If selected, you will be updated on AmeriCorps funding status before your start date.
Salary : $450