Field Leader - Table Rock State Park Prescribed Fire Crew

Table Rock Fire Crew Field Leader

Highly motivated applicants looking for a wildland fire career path are encouraged to apply; no prior wildland fire experience is required for this position. A cover letter is strongly encouraged; references may be checked. 

The Table Rock Fire Crew is a U.S Forest Service (USFS) / SCA partner-enabled training crew established in 2023; USFS Agency crew standards apply throughout the season. This team will be made up of two crew leaders and six crew members all working under the operational supervision of three dedicated USFS primary fire employees as part of the Table Rock Fire Crew. This is a dynamic and immersive opportunity for those interested in wildland firefighting, prescribed fire, and caring for public lands. Strong teamwork is required.

The primary objectives for this crew will be prescribed burning, fuels reduction, and wildfire response. The crew will prepare US Forest Service (USFS) lands for burning, conduct prescribed burning, and work on other conservation tasks as identified by USFS. Prescribed burning is condition-dependent and members may be required to work long hours and/or weekends depending on directions from the partner.  

Members will not work more than 80 hours over a two-week period (unless deployed in wildfire response as outlined below). When conditions are not ideal for burning, members will assist with other projects including vegetation removal, fire line preparation, and equipment maintenance. In addition, members will be exposed to federal networking and professional development.   

Throughout the season, the crew will have opportunities to support wildfire response. During such times, team members' service with SCA will be paused, and crew members will be compensated at USFS AD rates. Members should expect to work long days (14+ hours) and longer tours (14 operational shifts + travel days) while on wildfire assignments, and have limited food options available. 

The Crew will participate in regular Physical Training (PT) throughout the season and should begin conditioning prior to the season start date. Crew PT will include hiking, running, calisthenics, stretching, and routine physical activity as part of fire readiness. 

Full Program Dates: 35 weeks, Jan 4 – September 3, 2027. Full program includes up to 26 weeks of SCA time, and 9 weeks of USFS Administratively Determined (AD) time, outlined below.   

Program Location: Based near Clemson, SC, with regular travel throughout the southeastern U.S and potential to travel nationally.   

Tentative Season Start Schedule: 

Week one and two: SCA Leader Training and season preparation. Leader Training may take place alongside leaders from other teams or programs and may involve travel to a training location separate from the National Forest where team will be based.  Season prep will take place on site alongside USFS staff supervisors.
Weeks three and four: Leader will join their team and other SCA teams for 2 weeks of USFS Fire Academy Training. Certifications and topics at this training include but are not limited to:  

• Fire Training (Red Card, S-130, S-190, L-180)  
• Federal Chainsaw Training (S-112)
• Risk Management 

General Season Hours and Schedule: 

Please note that this schedule is tentative. Dates may change, but training opportunities will remain the same. 

Team will serve variable hours based on service activities and season. Specific weekly schedule will vary depending on the needs of the team.  
Twenty-three weeks of SCA program time completing prescribed fire and fuels projects with flexibility depending on the day’s activities. Generally, members will not serve more than 80 hours over a two-week period over the course of the 23 weeks of SCA program time.   
Members should be prepared to be away from housing for up to two weeks during hitch for prescribed burning or other required duties. 
Nine weeks of US Forest Service Administratively Determined (AD) time being paid the hourly AD-C rate as an FFT2. When deployed in wildfire response, members should expect to work 14+ hour days, more than 80 hours in a two week period, and be away from housing for up to three weeks. 
Team members' service with SCA will be paused during any Administratively Determined time. During this time, they will be working directly for USFS. 

Living Accommodations  

Crew will live and serve together for the duration of the season. The crew will be provided with shared housing and campsites throughout the season. Crew members should expect to share rooms in team housing. SCA emphasizes the importance of community on our crews. Everyone should expect to fully participate in activities related to communal living on their team. To ensure a well-run team, crew must all participate in house and responsibilities, including shared chores, cooking group meals, grocery shopping, and other team-based responsibilities.  

The crew will camp while out on fire assignment and will be provided shared housing near Clemson, SC, for off time.   

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Act as a Crew Lead: facilitating teamwork, managing field-based tasks, guiding crew dynamics under the operational supervision of permanent USFS overhead, addressing team issues and challenges in a timely manner
• Serve as an Advisor: mentoring personal and professional development, teaching environmental stewardship
• Act as a Project Manager: communicating regularly with SCA and USFS supervisors, ensuring successful and timely completion of work projects, upholding a positive representation of SCA, ensuring gear, team vehicle, equipment, and PPE are being maintained and used properly
• Perform tasks as a Program Administrator: organizing logistics, completing documentation and paperwork, managing a budget, and communicating with SCA staff
• Lead by example in the primary objective of this crew: fuels reduction, wildfire response, and prescribed burning projects
  Lead a team in additional projects, such as recreation or conservation tasks, as identified by USFS
• Work variable hours, possible long days and possible weekends, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, in varying weather conditions, and under physically demanding circumstances
• Working conditions may involve extreme high temperatures, high humidity, unpredictable weather conditions, and steep terrain. With support from their team supervisors, members will be asked to monitor and be responsible for their well-being in these environments

Marginal Duties

• When conditions are not ideal for burning, team will assist with other projects including vegetation removal, fire line preparation, equipment maintenance, and other work duties
• Participate in networking and professional development opportunities
• Crew will participate in regular Physical Training (PT) throughout the season. This may include hiking, running, calisthenics, stretching, and routine physical activity alongside their crew

Required Qualifications  

• Ability to perform manual, physical labor for up to 12 hours per day, exposed to the elements, and carrying/lifting 40 pounds or more on a routine basis; 
• Experience working with youth or young adults. Experience teaching or with environmental education a plus 
• Experience with conservation work skills or related skills preferred – i.e., wildland firefighting, trail maintenance, trail construction, habitat restoration, chainsaw, carpentry, landscaping, gardening 
• Ability to pass the Work Capacity Test at the Arduous level (3 mile walk with 45lb weight vest that must be completed in 45 minutes or less). Members who do not pass this test given at training will not be able to continue with this program. Click for a video on the WCT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjOZA2sbdMo  
• Must be able to undergo an in-person physical required by USFS. In-person physicals should be initiated by December 1, 2027, and cleared by the start of the program
• Have a current Wilderness First Aid certification, or ability to obtain a Wilderness First Aid certification before start of season 
• Must be able to attend Crew Leader training: 1/4 – 1/9/2027
• Must be a minimum of 21 years of age
• Must have US work authorization
• Must have a valid driver’s license for 3+ years and MVR that meets SCA standards

General Physical Requirements 

• Able to understand, adhere to, and communicate with others regarding hazards, procedures, and safety policies.  
• Able to stay alert and engaged for extended periods of time.  
• Able to independently manage known medical conditions with the resources available throughout the position or program.  
• Able to wear all required personal protective equipment, for example: safety glasses, hard hats, gloves, N95 or other approved face mask or shield, chainsaw chaps, and appropriate footwear.   
• Able to refrain from behaviors and actions that disrupt the work and safety of others.  
• Able to cooperate with others to complete daily group tasks, responsibilities, and project work under potentially difficult conditions, variable daily routines, and with limited personal time.  
• Able to self-regulate or co-regulate emotions and actions when distressed or uncomfortable, with or without the support of others.  
• Able to manage outdoor and environmental exposure (e.g., extreme temperature, wind, sun, smoke from fire, etc.) in a variety of weather conditions.  
• If using prescription medications, able to self-medicate by following the prescribed dosage, usage, and timing without supervisor assistance (except possibly at the direction of higher medical authority in emergency situations). 
• Able to hike 3 miles over level terrain while carrying a 45-pound pack in 45 minutes. 
• Able to independently lift and carry a backpack weighing up to or approximately 30% of body weight for a minimum of 5 miles and a maximum of 15 miles with adequate breaks dependent on weather, terrain, and trail conditions. 

Compensation and Benefits 

• $850/week (pre-tax), paid bi-weekly 
• Up to $1,000 travel stipend, to be used for travel to/from leader training, site location, and USFS Fire Academy 
• Housing provided for duration of season 
• Team food budget for work days (managed by team leaders) 
• SCA uniform package 
• Trainings: 
  • USFS Fire Academy Training (Red Card, S-130, S-190) 
  • Chainsaw training (S-112)
  • S-219: Firing, S-211: Portable Pumps, S-270: Basic Air Operations, S-131: Firefighter 1, L-280: Followship to Leadership 
  • Other training opportunities as available 
• Eligibility for a Public Land Corps Certificate for Noncompetitive Hiring Status 

Working Conditions 

Work schedules and projects may change on short notice or be ambiguous. The work environment will consist of extreme hot and cold temperatures, adverse heat conditions which could include temperatures in some regions up to 110°F or hotter, adverse humidity, etc. The work environment will occasionally include poor air quality conditions by nature (due to wildfire smoke, smog, etc.). Also, there could be other severe weather conditions, including heavy rain and flash flooding, gusty and strong winds, foggy or decreased visibility, and lightning events. Exposure to natural and environmental hazards such as poison ivy, oak, or sumac, tick and mosquito-borne illness, snakes, and the potential for other wildlife encounters are all potential working conditions.  

Equal Opportunity Employment Statement

SCA is an equal opportunity employer. Selection decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and performance, without unlawful discrimination.