Conservation Assistant Jobs in Arizona (NOW HIRING)

Description
Position Title: AZCC 2026 Fall Veterans Fire Corps Assistant Crew Leader - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Arizona Conservation Corps
Site Location:
AZCC Tucson Office
1443 W Prince Rd
Tucson, AZ 85705
Terms of Service:

• Start Date: 08/24/2026

• End Date: 12/11/2026

• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 450 Hours

Purpose:
Arizona Conservation Corps (AZCC) is an AmeriCorps program that engages motivated young adults, ages 18 - 30, to complete challenging and impactful conservation and service projects throughout the western United States. AZCC crews serve in a variety of National Parks, National Forests, and other public areas. Projects may include trail construction & maintenance, habitat improvement, hazardous fuels reduction, historic preservation, chemical and mechanical invasive plant removal, and local environmental service projects. AZCC provides opportunities for members to learn about the local environment and conservation issues throughout the duration of the program. Selected members are placed on a crew that will then collaborate to perform project work. The Veterans Fire Corps crew aims to retrain recent era military veterans for careers in conservation, fuels mitigation, and wildland firefighting. VFC programs accomplish this goal by immersing participants in a conservation crew experience.
Description of Duties:
Assistant Crew Leaders (ACL) are responsible for facilitating a positive crew member experience by setting an example of enthusiasm throughout work and camp life. The ACL works in tandem with the Crew Leader (CL) to communicate directions, project specifications, and constructive criticism throughout the term of service. The ACL will expand their role, learn leadership strategies, and assume management duties including filling in for the CL in project relations or completing paperwork when needed.
The Veterans Fire Corps is a multi-faceted and demanding crew, but with an opportunity for enormous rewards. Successful candidates will demonstrate high standards, compassion, excellent judgement, effective communication skills, initiative, and the desire to devote themselves (at least seasonally) to working alongside other military veterans, ages 18-35, in an environmental setting. The crew will work together and maintain a flexible, positive, and professional attitude. The program engages participants in a cohort environment in which a team of recent-era military veterans work together to train and complete natural resource management projects, specifically related to fire fuels management and fuels reduction using chainsaws. This crew assists recent-era veterans in their transition from military to civilian careers. Participants must be a military veteran, provide a copy of a valid DD-214, or relevant discharge paperwork, and be able to pass a USFS Pack Test at the "arduous" level (3 mile walk with 45-pound pack in 45 minutes).
Program Expectations:

• Commitment - AZCC participants must commit to all aspects of the program, including conservation projects, education, training, and other crew activities.

• Safety - All participants are required to participate in a culture of safety on their crew during all program activities by being aware of and adhering to program policies, as well as fostering an atmosphere of wellness in the program.

• Professionalism - Participants must be willing to follow all AZCC policies, maintain professional boundaries, and appropriately represent AZCC.

• Teamwork - Members must be willing to engage in collaboration, respect others, and assist in making group decisions.

• Technology - Projects are often in remote locations. The use of technology will be limited.

• Substance Free - Participants MUST be willing and able to refrain from alcohol and drugs while participating in the AZCC program.

Qualifications:

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien

• At least 18 years of age

• Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of elementary or secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant, and agrees to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award

• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check

Assistant Crew Leader Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior AmeriCorps service and experience with backpacking, wilderness travel, camp management and outdoor leadership preferred

• Flexibility, adaptability, and capacity to work in a changing work environment, including willingness to work a varying schedule. This position could also be deployed for national disaster relief, outside the region, for multiple weeks.

• Excellent communication, teaching/mentoring, and full conflict resolution and team-building skills

• Valid driver's license and an insurable driving record

• Relevant bachelor's degree

Our Commitment:
Conservation Legacy is committed to the full consideration of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential functions. Some positions may require periodic overnight travel, non-traditional 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. Ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.
Time Requirements:

• Typically, this position is expected to serve Tuesday to Tuesday, but exact service schedules may vary. A half-hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service.

• This position generally entails an 8 days on / 6 days off hitch schedule. Time off will not be permitted during hitches, and members/leaders are expected to plan accordingly.

• Members may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.

Orientation and Training:

• Members will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.

• Training will also focus on topics such as Wilderness First Aid, Leave No Trace, outdoor living, crew culture, and goal setting.

• VFC members will be required to complete a USFS Arduous Pack Test, and will also receive S-130 & S-190 Firefighter Training, S-190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior, Wilderness First Aid, S-212 Chainsaw Training. Crew Leaders and members will be required to complete IS100b Intro to Incident Command System, IS700 National Incident Management System, and L-180 Human Factors in the Wildland Fire Service prior to the beginning of their season.

• All VFC crew participants (including members and leaders) will obtain their Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2) upon successful completion of required training courses.

• Depending on project needs, crews may have opportunities for training in herbicide, crosscut saw, chainsaw use, or other specialized equipment use.

• Informal training will continue throughout the term with on-the-ground skills training in areas such as tool maintenance, plant identification, and overview of public land management agencies.

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $1,565.08

• Living Allowance of $550 per week

• Additional Benefit of $400 per week

• Healthcare Coverage if eligible

• Childcare Coverage if eligible

• Loan forbearance if eligible

• Interest Payments if eligible

Evaluation and Reporting:
As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of hours, the member has satisfactorily completed assignments, and if the member has met other performance criteria that were clearly communicated at the beginning of the term of service.
Reporting requirements include, but are not limited to, bi-weekly timesheets and accomplishment tracking.
Any questions can be addressed to:
Dusty Miller
Program Director (Tucson)
Dmiller@conservationlegacy.org
Application deadline: July 20, 2026 (priority for early applicants)
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. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodations due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.