CCNM Fire Mitigation and Chainsaw Crew Leader

• Location 560 N. 17th St,Las Cruces, NM, 88005,United States
• Employee Type Non-Exempt - FT
• Required Degree High school
• Manage Others Yes

Contact information

• Name Genevieve Tucker
• Phone
• Email (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).

Description

Title: 2027 Wildland Fire Mitigation & Chainsaw Crew Leader

Reports to: CCNM Program Director

Location/s: Las Cruces, NM

Status: Seasonal, Full-time, Camping Program

Dates: 01/18/2027 - 05/07/2027

Wages: $925-1125/week, depending on prior experience and certifications. During the initial training weeks, the pay will be $750/week.

Benefits: Paid training, food budget while on hitch, Employee Assistance Program, health benefits for eligible positions.

Training: Generally, the term begins with leadership training which focuses on developing outdoor leadership skills, goal setting, technical and field skills training and developing an understanding of CCNM policies and procedures. Following leadership training, most seasons will begin with an orientation with Crew Leaders and Crew Members that includes Leave No Trace, Outdoor Living & Nutrition, and Wilderness First Aid. Informal hands‑on training will continue throughout the term with on-the-ground skills training.

Housing: Housing on days off is not provided.

The Crew Leader II position is an opportunity to make a difference in young peoples’ lives while completing conservation projects on public and private lands. Leaders will be mentors, educators, and facilitators for young adults, working to promote the health and resiliency of our land, air, and water.

Standard schedule generally consists of 8 days on‑hitch (out in the field as a crew unit) and 6 days off with some exceptions. Crew Leaders are required to come in for an additional day each hitch cycle to complete administrative duties and check‑ins with program staff, typically the day after returning from the project (Wednesday, the Ninth Day). On‑hitch, crews camp together, prepare all meals together, and work together as a group to complete all projects and chores.

The Crew Leader II position requires patience, a consistently positive mental attitude, mentorship, technical aptitude, focus on efficiency, and a high level of competence in the outdoors. It also involves an administration role, where weekly paperwork is due in a timely manner to supervisors. Finally, crew leaders must exhibit the ability to effectively work on dynamic teams and those from a variety of communities.

The Wildland Fire Mitigation and Chainsaw crew will work with the Gila National Forest on a variety of forest management, fire mitigation, and prescribed burn (climate conditions permitting ) projects.

Project work may include, but is not limited to:

• Hazard tree removal and sawyer work, including felling, bucking, limbing, swamping, etc.
• Fire prep-work such as creating and maintaining fire breaks and fuels reduction projects
• Invasive species removal
• Timber stand improvement
• Trail improvement

Training will include:

• S-212 (or equivalent) chainsaw training
• ICS-100 Introduction to IC
• IS-700 NIMS Introduction
• S-130 Basic Wildland Firefighting
• S-190 Basic Wildland Fire Behavior
• Red Card (requires passing the arduous level pack test)

• Mentor assistant crew leader (or Crew Leader in Development Program CLDP) : provide valuable feedback, give opportunities for growth, delegate responsibilities, and encourage technical and leadership skill development.
• Implement skills training on worksite and facilitate intentional discussions via informal lessons to contribute to the crew’s personal growth and group dynamics.
• Promote individual corps member development and a safe, healthy, cohesive, other-centered and team-oriented community.
• Follow and enforce all policies, maintain…