Urban Forestry Student, Great Onyx CCC

The Urban Forestry Student position at Great Onyx CCC offers hands-on conservation work for individuals aged 16 to 24, running from June 2024 to June 2027. Responsibilities include wildland firefighting, timber management, and watershed rehabilitation. The role emphasizes physical training and outdoor activities, providing practical experience and skills in forestry. Benefits include a living stipend, free housing, and educational support. Applicants must meet income limitations and be physically fit.
About the position

The Urban Forestry Student position at the Great Onyx Civilian Conservation Center, part of the USDA Forest Service Job Corps, offers a unique opportunity for individuals aged 16 to 24 to engage in hands-on conservation work on public lands. This term position runs from June 1, 2024, to June 30, 2027, and is designed to prepare students for future employment in federal or private sectors. The role encompasses a variety of projects, including wildland firefighting, timber management, invasive species mitigation, and watershed rehabilitation. Students will gain practical experience in both forest and urban environments, learning essential skills such as tree identification, tree climbing, pruning, and felling, as well as operating heavy equipment like fellerbunchers. In addition to technical skills, students will learn about safety protocols and the importance of maintaining public areas and forest health. The program emphasizes physical training and outdoor activity, requiring participants to be physically fit to perform tasks such as hiking with a pack and using various tools. The position is open to individuals who meet income limitations and have a passion for conservation, regardless of their educational background. The program also allows for self-paced progress over two years, providing flexibility for students to engage in paid work-based learning on National Forests, which can lead to a public land corps certificate for federal hiring preference.

Responsibilities
• Conduct conservation projects on public lands
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• Participate in wildland firefighting activities
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• Support timber management tasks including surveys, removal, and pruning
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• Mitigate invasive species and rehabilitate watersheds
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• Maintain public areas and ensure tree and forest health
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• Operate and maintain specialized tools and heavy equipment
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• Engage in paid work-based learning opportunities on National Forests

Requirements
• Must be between 16 and 24 years old or have a disability
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• Must meet income limitations
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• Ability to perform significant outdoor activities and physical training
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• Strength to use tools effectively

Nice-to-haves
• Interest in working outdoors and protecting the land
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• Willingness to serve people and engage in conservation efforts
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• Interest in other trades such as heavy equipment operation, welding, construction, maintenance, office administration, or culinary

Benefits
• Living stipend
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• Paid time off
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• Free housing
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• Healthcare
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• Meals
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• Uniforms
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• Transportation from home
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• Counseling services
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• Education and GED/high school diploma support
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• Drivers licensing and trade certifications
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• Public land corps certificate for federal hiring preference