Community Wildfire Protection Corps (CWPC) Hitch Crew Member

POSITION: Community Wildfire Protection Corps (CWPC) Hitch Crew Member

LOCATION(S): Launching out of Eugene OR and working throughout the state of OR.

COMPENSATION:

• Meals and camping accommodation will be provided during the work week Monday through Friday.
• A total living stipend of $9600 prorated over a 15-week period paid monthly.
• 450-hour AmeriCorps term with a $1956.35 education award at the end of a successfully completed 464-hour term of service.

PROGRAM DATES:

• September 15 through December 12 2025.
• Graduation and big-clean are scheduled for December 12 2025.
• Member training from September 15-19 2025 located near Eugene OR.
• Members will receive November 27 & 28 off

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

• This is a full time/hitch-based position.
• Members will be expected to camp as a crew Monday-Friday throughout the session near the project location.
• Members will have Saturday and Sunday off with no camping accommodations or meals provided.
• Typical work hours are Monday - Friday and the workday is typically 8am-4:30pm but can vary due to weather IFPL levels training/orientation schedules etc. There will be other required camp chores before and after these work hours.
• Crew receives a 30-minute lunch and two 15-minute breaks each day. The 30-minute lunch break does not count toward work hours.
• This job offer is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background check.
• You will have camping/all meals provided during the work week.

BENEFITS OVERVIEW:

• Training/Professional Development this comprehensive training may cover the following topics and more:
• NYC Leadership Philosophy
• OHSA Courses
• Intro to home ignition zone
• USDA Chainsaw Operation and Maintenance
• Brush Cutter Operation
• Power Pole Saw Operation
• Wood Chipper Operation
• Driver training and Trailer Use
• Tool Use and Maintenance
• Defensible Space Training
• Work Site Analysis
• Conservation Education
• Risk Management and Safety Procedures
• Respect Opportunity and Growth for All
• Behavior Management
• Time Management
• Anaphylaxis training
• Gear and Safety Equipment provided: 2 x field work shirts eye protection ear protection hard hat and sawyer chaps.

• Introductory online Wildland Firefighter courses will also be completed during the session: IS-100 IS-700 S-130 S-190 L-180. By completing the above course requirements you will be eligible to complete a pack test (i.e. Red Card). Having your Red Card will qualify you to be employed as a Wildland Firefighter (NWCG Firefighter 2).

• CWPC Crew members can gain industry-recognized credentials and skills that can be added to their CV/Resume. These will assist Crew members in gaining access to outdoor related career outlets.

ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND

Since 1984 Northwest Youth Corps (NYC) a non-profit organization has given tens of thousands of youth and young adults opportunities to learn grow and experience success. Through partnerships with conservation agencies youth and young adults gain the personal and professional skills needed to carry out a variety of stewardship projects from which they can earn a stipend high school credit and/or an AmeriCorps education award.

More importantly young people gain skills needed to become economically and socially self-sufficient benefit their communities as citizen stewards and recognize that they can make a positive difference. NYC also operates an accredited charter school internship program and the Idaho Conservation Corps (ICC).

POSITION SUMMARY:

CWPC is an innovative service program designed to provide hands-on training and experience in fuels reduction within Oregon communities that are at the highest risk for wildfire. Our program integrates team-based work projects education and on-site vocational training into an experience that prioritizes personal development and Wildfire fuels reduction work skills.

• Participants work on physically demanding Community Wildfire Protection projects in all kinds of weather and terrain reducing flammable vegetation and as creating defensible space protecting critical infrastructure.
• Saw work is within the scope of A-level certification brushing and small diameter trees and does not include felling of large trees.
• Our program is a highly structured immersive experience.
• We focus intentionally on the concept of building community within our crews which means we focus on being present with one another and CWPC Crew members do not use cell phones or headphones during work hours (we intentionally unplug).
• Participants engage in many group activities each day to help the crew function including tool maintenance daily debriefs formal educational sessions and more.
• Participants are actively mentored and empowered by their Crew Leader and expected to take on increasing leadership roles within the crew including acting as a leader of the day/week by the end of the program.
• Through these challenging and rewarding experiences our programs consistently help members become resilient disciplined empathetic and strong. A high value is placed upon interpersonal dynamics and the development of robust professional skill sets.
• CWPC Crew members assist in creating resilient communities in the face of Wildfire.

POSITION DETAILS:

Foster a Supportive and Inclusive Team Environment

• Support a welcoming and supportive community.
• Represent and promote Northwest Youth Corps commitment to creating a confidence-building environment where everyone can thrive.

Department Supervision and Collaborations:

• This position is directly supervised by a CWPC Crew Leader.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Safety is the number one priority in everything we do including work education and recreation.
• Work Project Participation: CWPC Crew members will be part of a crew with up to 5 Crew members led by one CWPC Crew Leader. Crew members are responsible for the completion of assigned projects under the direction of their Crew Leader. They work closely with program staff and other participants paying specific attention to safe workplace practices and professionalism proper tool use work quality and efficiency.
• Development and Education: Crew members participate in informal and formal educational discussions. A Participant Success Plan will be created by each member to foster self-improvement and reflection throughout the program.
• Committing to being of service to the community and the crew is essential.

Position Qualifications and Certifications

• 19-26 years old (age at enrollment).
• Desire to learn and grow.
• Positive mental attitude flexibility and commitment to success.
• Excellent judgment.
• Ability to listen give and take feedback.
• Desire to go the extra mile to make a positive impact on oneself others and the environment.
• Current First Aid/CPR certification or ability to obtain certification before their participation.

Preferred (not required) Experience:

• Outdoor experience.
• Ability to work collaboratively and promote teamwork.
• Developed communication skills.
• Good judgment and decision-making skills.
• Sense of humor spirit of adventure and desire to make a positive difference in the lives of others and the community.
• Comfortable working with diverse populations.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

• Applicants must be in good physical condition; capable of working on strenuous labor-intensive projects as training and work projects often require heavy lifting constant bending digging and long hikes to and from the worksite be on foot for 8-10 hours per day and possibly be exposed to natural hazards such as poison oak. The applicant must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds (with or without reasonable accommodation).
• The noise level in the environment is quiet to loud. PPE is provided and use is required.
• Applicants must be comfortable working in austere outdoor environments which include but are not limited to working in weather conditions that include rain wind snow wet cold dry and hot conditions and varying temperatures.
• While performing the duties of this program with or without reasonable accommodation the applicant is required to stand; walk; use hands to handle feel or operate objects tools or vehicle; reach with hands and arms; sit; climb or balance; stoop kneel crouch or crawl; talk hear; and smell repeatedly.

**This position description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities duties or responsibilities that are required of the applicant. Duties responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice**

This experience offer is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background check.

Northwest Youth Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer -Our core purpose is to provide opportunities for youth and young adults to learn grow and experience success. We strive to create an empowering environment for participants from a wide range of backgrounds and abilities. We are deeply invested in the success of youth and young adults of all races ethnicities gender identities religions sexual orientations economic statuses or other socio-cultural identifiers.

In accordance with 45CFR 2520.65 AmeriCorps members may not perform prohibited service activities directly or indirectly by recruiting training or managing others for the primary purpose of engaging in the activities. Prohibited service activities are outlined in the Service Agreement and AmeriCorps member manual.