Field Boss

The UCC Field Boss is an AmeriCorps position responsible for providing direct leadership and support to UCC field crews and assisting UCC field staff in seasonal trainings and logistical coordination.  The Field Boss is an integral member of UCC field operations, ensuring that UCC crews are adequately trained and prepared to perform high quality conservation service in a positive, safe, and productive environment.

The Field Boss is expected to provide leadership and support in relation to UCC’s overarching and crew-specific programmatic goals.  Support of field crews and operations will include but not be limited to: working with crews at their project sites, assisting in training crew leaders and members, performing project site visits, managing logistics for standard and specialized crews, maintaining tools and equipment, helping in the field office, and assisting with crew member recruitment efforts. The UCC Field Boss is also responsible for working alongside regional staff to develop positive, lasting relationships with project partners. Under the supervision of regional staff, the member may participate in site visits and discussions about current and upcoming projects.

This position involves frequent travel, camping, irregular hours, and a varying weekly schedule.  The Field Boss must have strong leadership and communication skills, flexibility, capacity for self-direction, a passion for conservation work, and a desire to provide mentorship to emerging conservation leaders.  The UCC Field Boss position is an AmeriCorps term of service requiring a nine month commitment.

The Utah Conservation Corps supports Field Bosses in gaining advanced conservation corps leadership experience and attaining high level technical skills training during their term while interfacing with in-field operations and field office administration.

UCC Field Crew Program Overview

UCC operates three 12-week field seasons over the course of the year.  The spring season is dedicated to development of Crew Leaders through formal training and project work, as well as preparing for our large summer and fall field seasons. 

During our summer and fall field seasons Utah Conservation Corps mobilizes multiple 5 person field crews out of three field offices (Logan, Moab, and Cedar City) to address a diversity of conservation efforts on Utah public lands.  Crew project work may include habitat restoration, re-vegetation, fence building, trail construction & maintenance, invasive plant removal, forest fuels reductions & other fire mitigation work, habitat surveying, and more.

Service performed by Utah Conservation Corps field crews addresses program goals related to conservation of public lands and member development. UCC crews and project work may focus on specialized objectives.  Recent examples of this specialized work include a bike crew (crew members use bicycles as their only mode of transportation to/from project sites), accessibility surveying in the National Forest sites (providing opportunities for people of all abilities to serve and recreate) and providing disaster response to flood and storm damaged communities across the country. UCC often runs urban crews, performing important conservation work in urban open space areas.

Responsibilities

Field Crew Leadership and Support

• Provides technical, logistical and administrative support to crews
• Provides crews with training, guidance and feedback in a structured environment
• Serves as a role model, resource, mediator and advisor for crews
• Completes written mid-term and final evaluations for Crew Leaders
• Conducts regular risk management audits in the field
• Maintains a constructive and professional attitude at all times
• Communicate with project sponsors, as needed
• Ensures compliance with UCC protocols, procedures and enforces policies
• Assists in taking weekly check in calls from crews in the field
• Assists and/or supervises the rig-up and de-rig of crews
• Serves as a temporary crew leader, as needed

Assists with seasonal crew training weeks and provides ongoing training in the field.

Topics include a variety of hard and soft skills training:

• Trail Maintenance & Construction
• Proper Tool Use & Maintenance
• Critical Incident Scenario
• Outdoor Leadership Skills
• Pre-Project Planning & Organization
• Chainsaw Training & Certification
• Conflict Resolution
• Debriefs & Feedback
• Rig-Up/De-Rig Procedures
• Vehicle Inspections and Maintenance
• Herbicide; safety, use, and storage.

Other

• Outdoor Skills
• Expedition Behavior
• Leave No Trace
• Food & Menu Planning
• Map & Compass
• Common Backcountry Medical Issues (blisters, dehydration, etc.)
• Packing and Fitting a Backpack
• Group Campsite: food storage, hygiene, water purification, stoves, dish washing system, etc.
• Assists in teaching the Wilderness Medicine courses, as needed

Tool and Equipment Assistance

• Communicates tool and equipment needs to UCC field staff
• Assists in maintenance of hand tools, chain saws, brush cutters, micro blasters, camp equipment, etc.
• Assists in inventory of tools and equipment assigned to crews and projects

Projects and Partnerships Development

• Under supervision of regional UCC staff, attend site visits and discuss current and future project assignments with project partners
• Facilitate the development of positive and sustainable partnerships with project partners

Other Duties as Assigned

• This position may involve other duties and personal and professional development opportunities. A willingness to take on additional responsibilities and duties as they present themselves is an integral part of this position.

Qualifications

• 6 months conservation corps or similar land management experience
• Faller B chainsaw training and substantial experience using a chainsaw, preferred
• trail maintenance and construction experience, preferred
• 3 months minimum leadership or supervisory experience in a team or crew-based setting
• Demonstrated outdoor leadership and skills
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Experience and demonstrated ability to self-direct, problem solve, be creative, manage conflict and be flexible in order to meet programmatic goals

Requirements

• Flexibility and desire to work in a dynamic environment
• Provide mentorship to Crew Leaders and Crew Members
• Ability to work an irregular schedule
• Ability and desire to work in a variety of weather conditions
• Working on a variety of conservation projects, which will include using chainsaws, hand tools, and herbicide
• Maturity and good attitude
• At least 18 years of age
• U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
• High School Diploma or GED
• Eligible to enroll in a State AmeriCorps term
• Ability to undergo a National Criminal History Check
• Ability to self-direct and self-educate

Benefits

• AmeriCorps Living Allowance, $875.00 paid twice per month
• AmeriCorps Education Award, available upon successful completion of term
• Health Insurance option
• Forbearance on qualifying student loans while in service
• Conservation Leadership Development and Experience
• Training allowance for in-season training opportunities
• Wilderness First Responder Training
• Working on a professional level with land management agency personnel