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Volume 2, Issue 2
April 2015
Job Corps Civilian
Conservation Center Courier
Union Blue, Confederate Grey, and Nomex Yellow: Davidson River Fire Crew gets lesson in American History
and Combat Engineering Assisting Osceola NF Rehabilitate Civil War Field Fortifications from the Battle of Olustee
Christopher Lydick, District Archeologist/Historian, Osceola National Forest and Patrick Gocke, Forestry Technician/Grangeville Smokejumper, Nez Perce National Forest
On February 6th and 7th of
2015, crew members and overhead from the Davidson River
Fire Crew (a Type-2 Initial-Attack
hand crew based out of the
Schenck Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center, Pisgah, North
Carolina) teamed up with Osceola National Forest District Archeologist Christopher Lydick to
rehabilitate a portion of 151
year old earthen entrenchments
originally constructed in February 1864 by Confederate forces
under Gen. Joseph Finnegan to
defend north-central Florida
against Federal troops commanded by Gen. Truman Seymour. These activities culminated in the Battle of Olustee,
February 20, 1864, on presentday Osceola National Forest.
The Davidson River Fire Crew
has annually detailed to the
Osceola National Forest in Olustee, Florida for project work and
prescribed fire operations since
2008. By early February, the
crew had assisted local resources with over 14,000 acres
of prescribed burning operations during the 2015 winter
burning season. Due to wet
weather, the crew was stooddown from burning and made
available to participate in this
interdisciplinary forest mission
while waiting for burn windows
to return. The execution of this
(continued on page 3)
Back row L-R: Davidson River Initial Attack Overhead Sam Lewis, Boise NF Crw8 Brian Theiler, Davidson
River Initial Attack crew members Jordan Krajcirik, Brian Bohannon, and Edwin Baxter, and Grangeville
Smokejumper Patrick Gocke. Front row L-R Davidson River Initial Attack crew members Victoria Becerra
and David Little. Photo courtesy of Davidson River Initial Attack Crew.
From the Desk of the National Office
Tina J. Terrell, National Director, Job Corps National Office
This year, Job Corps students
will be involved in a number of
natural resources projects on
national forests that will provide
opportunities for students to
learn wilderness ethics, trail
reconstruction, and historic
preservation.
The Forest Service worked with
a number of organizations to
develop an eight week curriculum where students will gain
knowledge and insight into
“pack it in, pack it out,” crosscut
saw training, building trails for
maintenance and stability, utilizing wood to maintain the look
and context of a historic structure, and implementing preservation techniques to improve
and enhance rock foundations.
There are three (3) organizations that will be partnering with
the Job Corps program to implement these training curriculums.
The first partnership is with the
Arthur Cahart National Wilderness Training Center in Missoula, Montana. The Trapper Creek
Job Corps Civilian Conservation
Center established an 8-week
wilderness curriculum in January 2015 where students will be
engaged in on-the-hands wilder-
ness training. Students who
participate in this curriculum will
also camp in a wilderness area
for an extended period of time
to fully grasp and understand
wilderness preservation.
The second partnership is with
The Corps Network and the National Trust for Historic Preservation through a program called
HOPE (Hands On Preservation
Experience). Under this program, funds are provided to
teach youth skills in saving and
preserving America’s historic
places to retain these structures
for current and future genera-
tions. There
are a number
of HOPE projects across
the United
States where Job Corps students are using their skills to
preserve historical structures
such as buildings, dams, and
rock wall foundations. Centers
that have participated in a historic preservation project over
the years include Harpers Ferry
Job Corps Center in West Virginia and Wolf Creek Job Corps
Center in Oregon.
(continued on page 2)
Page 2
Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center Courier
From the Desk of the National Office (continued from page 1)
Tina J. Terrell, National Director, Job Corps National Office
The third partnership is just
getting started in Job Corps with
assistance from The Corps Network and Trout Headwaters, Inc.
Aquatic restoration is an area
that is just bursting at the
seams. Humans impact water,
and thus people need to learn
how to manage the very fabric
that all living things need which
is water. The eight-week program is called Waders in the
Water and involves youth corps
nationwide where young people
receive training and certification
for climate-ready aquatic restoration. Graduates of the Waders
in the Water training program
will be skilled in aquatic safety,
knowledge about installation
techniques, and ready to provide
business and government reliable restoration on streams, rivers and wetlands across the
United States. This industryrecognized credential will build
important bridges to enable
youth to enter conservation careers by learning how to improve
the health, productivity, and
climate-resiliency of our
streams, rivers, and wetlands.
The Job Corps National Office is
interested in developing this
training program on a center in
the east and the west.
Additional partnerships are being pursued this year that will
expand the natural resources
curriculum at all 27 Job Corps
Civilian Conservation Centers.
The time is now for the Job Corps
program to regain momentum to
develop and enhance the conservation mission that was the
foundation of the Job Corps program in the 1960s. As the Forest
The eight-week program
is called Waders in the
Water and involves youth
corps nationwide where
young people receive
training and certification
for climate-ready aquatic restoration. Graduates
of the Waders in the Water training program will
be skilled in aquatic
safety, knowledge about
installation techniques,
and ready to provide
business and government reliable restoration
on streams, rivers and
wetlands across the
United States.
—Tina Terrell
National Director
Service improves the management and operation of all Job
Corps Civilian Conservation
Centers, we look to expand and
develop jobs for students in
conservation, preservation, and
partnerships in the green industry.
Job Corps students work on a “Water Runs Through It” project.
Sand Hills Project Director Jim Van Winkle works
with Box Elder Job Corps on Box Butte Creek.
Pine Ridge Green Club painting Box Butte Creek,
Box Butte County, Nebraska. Photo courtesy of
Pine Ridge Job Corps.
Pine Ridge Job Corps students Christ He, Eh Doh and Po Tha Jain at Box Butte Creek. Box Butte
County, Nebraska. Photo courtesy of Pine Ridge Job Corps.
Timber Lake Job Corps student works on a
Clackamas River stream restoration project.
Photo courtesy of Karl Perry.
Angell urban forestry students at work..
Page 3
Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center Courier
Union Blue, Confederate Grey, and Nomex Yellow: Davidson River Fire Crew gets lesson in American History
and Combat Engineering Assisting Osceola NF Rehabilitate Civil War Field Fortifications from the Battle of Olustee
(continued from page 1)
Christopher Lydick, District Archeologist/Historian, Osceola National Forest and Patrick Gocke, Forestry Technician, Nez Perce National Forest
Following the Federal
landing of 5,500 troops
at Jacksonville the previous week, Confederate
Gen. Finnegan decided to
relocate his command
from Lake City to Olustee
to take advantage of this
natural choke-point in
order to protect the interior of Florida from Union
advances. Over the
course of a week, soldiers
of the 28th Georgia Artillery Battalion under Maj.
Augustus Bonaud and
Confederate Engineers
under the command of Lt.
M. B. Grant constructed a
series of breastworks and
artillery emplacements to
afford the Confederates
maximum protection
against their attackers.
mission was in conjunction with
preparations for the annual
reenactment of the Battle of
Olustee, which takes place each
year on Presidents’ Day weekend. This event draws over
25,000 spectators, reenactors,
and history buffs from around
the nation to witness history
come alive each year on the
Osceola National Forest. Rehabilitation of these earthworks
allowed the public to actively
interpret the Confederates’ intended location for the Battle of
Olustee to have taken place.
The Olustee earthworks were
originally constructed across an
upland corridor of land between
the south shore of Ocean Pond
and the north margin of Olustee
Creek. Following the Federal
landing of 5,500 troops at Jacksonville the previous week, Confederate Gen. Finnegan decided
to relocate his command from
Lake City to Olustee to take
advantage of this natural choke
-point in order to protect the
interior of Florida from Union
advances. Over the course of a
week, soldiers of the 28th Georgia Artillery Battalion under Maj.
Augustus Bonaud and Confederate Engineers under the command of Lt. M. B. Grant constructed a series of breastworks
and artillery emplacements to
afford the Confederates maximum protection against their
attackers. In his after-action
report, Grant reported that, “the
parapet to these works was 6
feet wide, composed of logs
covered with earth, and having
a relief of about 4 feet 6 inches.
The left of the line as laid out
rested upon Ocean Pond, a
sheet of water some 4 miles
long by 2 to 2+ miles wide, this
furnishing a secure protection
on the left.” These defenses
also protected a military camp
to the rear of the works known
as Camp Beauregard. It was
here that Finnegan concentrated his arriving forces, which
numbered just over 5,000 by
the morning of February 20,
1864.
Although well-defended and
fortified, the works didn’t see
battle during the Battle of Olustee however. When Confederate
and Union forces made initial
contact on February 20, 1864,
Finnegan was successful in
drawing Truman Seymour to
within less than 2 miles from
his well-laid trap, but due to the
confusion and complexity of the
conflict that quickly developed,
and the two commanding officers’ inability to read and respond to each other’s intentions and maneuvering; the
Battle of Olustee ended up being fought on ground of neither
officers’ choosing. Despite this
Red vertical line shows the rehabilitated area of 151 old earthen entrenchments originally constructed
in February 1864 Confederate forces under General Joseph Finnegan. Red and blue lines signify actual
battlefield locations. Photo courtesy of Davidson River Initial Attach Crew.
Davidson River Initial Attack crew member Victoria Becerra works on rehabilitating the 151 old earthen
entrenchments. Photo courtesy of Davidson River Initial Attach Crew.
fact however, Confederate forces were able to defeat the attacking Federals, forcing Seymour to withdraw his troops
back towards Jacksonville. Per
capita losses for the Federal
force that day was amongst the
highest of the entire Civil War
with 1,861 Union casualties
(~34%).
Project work began with a lesson in Civil War history by Mr.
Lydick. He explained the circumstances of the historic period,
(continued on page 4)
Page 4
Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center Courier
Union Blue, Confederate Grey, and Nomex Yellow: Davidson River Fire Crew gets lesson in American History
and Combat Engineering Assisting Osceola NF Rehabilitate Civil War Field Fortifications from the Battle of Oluste e
(continued from page 3)
Christopher Lydick, District Archeologist/Historian, Osceola National Forest and Patrick Gocke, Forestry Technician, Nez Perce National Forest
why the entrenchments were
constructed, and the importance of its chosen location.
The prescription for the rehabilitation was to open up the area
around the site with chainsaws
and weed eaters, thus clearing
the remaining earthen features
of encroaching vegetation.
Young trees under 8” DBH were
felled to prevent further degradation of the remaining features
at the site. These trees were
bucked into logs and utilized in
the reconstruction of the fortifications based on historic afteraction reports filed by Confederate engineers following the Battle of Olustee. After clearing the
field-of-fire in front of the earthworks, tree tops and larger
brush were used to construct a
line of field obstacles known as
abatis, in order to slow the approach of attacking forces assailing the position. Also constructed was an outer advance
work of logs and brush to provide advance fire against forward elements of attacking infantry and artillery.
Mr. Lydick was on-site throughout the rehabilitation with historical documents, drawings, and
records overseeing and advising
as one of Gen. Finnegan's combat engineers would have done
in February of 1864; also maintaining the historical accuracy of
the rehabilitation. Getting the
opportunity to exercise different
skill-sets than those practiced in
prescribed burning or fireline
preparation, Davidson River
Initial Attack crew member Brian
Bohannon noted that, "building
on the historic earthworks felt
like I was a Confederate soldier
preparing for a Union invasion!"
District Archeologist Lydick
summed-up the project by saying, “This operation was a success all-around! Not only were
we were able to protect and
preserve this site as a tangible
reminder of the events that took
place here, but it also provided
a unique opportunity to partner
with the fire program to demonstrate the importance not only
of this resource, but all heritage
resources as potential values-atrisk in the fire environment.”
Together with the Florida Park
Service, the Osceola National
Forest manages the cultural and
historic resources of Olustee
Battlefield for the benefit of all
Americans and for the memory
of those brave soldiers that gave
what Abraham Lincoln described as the last full measure
of devotion for their respective
countries. The interdisciplinary
mission to rehabilitate a portion
of these remaining features
associated with the events of
February 1864 represents an
ideal example of partnership
between the fire and heritage
programs and is in keeping with
the finest traditions of the U.S.
Forest Service.
Davidson River IA Crew Mission Statement
The Davidson River Initial Attack Crew strives to preserve the legacy of the
U.S. Forest Service through professionalism, dedication and a strong work
ethic. As a crew, we take pride in providing highly motivated, skilled and
professional personnel for fire management operations while offering
demanding and diverse training opportunities to ensure the traditions of
this agency are carried on.
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Demonstrate a positive attitude towards life.
Appreciate differences through tolerance and trust.
Visualize teamwork through individual strengths and weaknesses.
Identify our goals and work together to reach them.
Display compassion within the crew, caring for each other as brothers
and sisters.
Show respect for ourselves, the crew and for others.
Open your mind towards new ideas, opportunities, and learning.
Never compromise our integrity.
Respond and communicate to meet the needs of ourselves, crew,
and the public.
Inspire each other to always move forward and strive for greatness.
Value the friendships and lifelong connections made on this crew.
Exceed expectations, work hard, be persistent, and be willing to
serve.
Remember to take pride in who we are, and allow our work to speak
for us.
Write a Job Corps Success Story for the Courier!
Alicia D. Bennett, Public Affairs Officer, Job Corps National Office
Help tell the story of Forest
Service Job Corps and create a
lasting record of what Job Corps
students accomplish each and
every day.
A good story will answer the
questions of what happened,
when did it take place, who was
involved, why was it done,
where did it take place and how
did it happen. Describe the accomplishment, internal and
external partners and why your
story is significant.
Submit high quality photographs
in .jpeg format with your story.
A good photo will convey the
essence of what you want people to remember. As they say,
“A picture is worth a thousand
words.”
Provide captions for your photographs. A reader wants the
answers to the following questions: Who is that?; What’s going on?, When and where was
this?, How did this occur? Your
audience wants to understand
your picture.
Please provide the following
information for photo captions:
Name of individuals (L to R);
Activity/project captured in photo; Nam of photographer for
photo credit; Physical location;
Day/Month/Year photo was
taken if available/
Please submit your story in APA
Style and Franklin Gothic Book
font size nine.
Call Alicia D. Bennett at 303275-5934 or send an e-mail
to: [email protected] describing the story you would like
to write and to discuss its
placement.
Page 5
Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center Courier
Trapper Creek Job Corps Wilderness Discovery Program Hitch Report Photo Essay
Adam Washebek, Forestry Technician, Trapper Creek Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center
LOCATION:
Nez Perce-Clearwater National
Forest, Central Zone, Moose
Creek Ranger District
GOAL:
Open up 28 miles of trail and
build a four stringer 35’ bridge
above Trout Creek
JOB CORPS INSTRUCTOR:
Adam Washebek, Forestry
Technician
STUDENTS:
David Ortega
Kennieth Gieber
Darren Foster
Kevin Bossardt
Chris Dickenson
FOREST SERVICE PERSONNEL:
Doug Olive, Trails Specialist
Anna Bengston, Wilderness
Ranger
Before picture: root wad from a 40’ Ponderosa
Pine on the trail. March 26, 2015.
On Monday, March 23, 2015
Trapper Creek Forestry Technician Adam Washebek and students David Ortega, Kennieth
Gieber, Darren Foster, Kevin
Bossardt, and Chris Dickenson
headed to the Fenn Historical
Ranger Station. The next day,
the Trapper Creek group started
backing to Moose Creek Ranger
Station (MCRS), a remote station located 25 miles up the
Selway River from Race Creek
Trailhead. Their goal was to
open up 25 miles of trail so that
stock is able to get into MCRS.
The trip was anticipated to take
three days to log out all the
trees that had fallen across the
trail and fix two locations where
the trail had fallen off of the
slope due to trees toppling over
and root wads tearing out the
trail. Adam and the students
carried 1 pick mattock, two Pulaskis, one single bit axe, three
wedges, two silky saws, one 6’
cross-cut saw, and a shovel.
Doug Olive packed in all the
rigging and climbing equipment
needed for bridge construction,
along with food for the latter
portion of the trip on stock. Olive
rode 25 miles into MCRS on
Thursday, March 26th. On
Wednesday, March 25th, Anna
Bengston backpacked in solo
and arrived the next day. The
entire crew spent Friday, March
27th through Tuesday, March
31st on bridge construction. On
April 1st, Washebek and the
students took a horse and two
mules loaded with the group’s
heavy gear and headed out
early to hike 25 miles for the
day. On April 2nd, Washebek and
the students headed back to
Trapper Creek Job Corps.
Trapper Creek Job Corps students head to
Moose Creek Ranger Station on March 24,
2015.
Moose Creek Ranger District scenery. March 24,
2015.
Before picture: opening up 50’ Selway River Trail
#4. March 25, 2015.
After picture: opening up 50’ Selway River Trail
#4. March 25, 2015.
Bridge project had to be lined out before the
project could begin. March 27, 2015.
Chris Dickenson peeling logs for stringers.
March 27, 2015.
After Picture: root wad from a 40’ Ponderosa
Pine on the trail. March 26, 2015.
All photos in this series courtesy of Adam Washebek,
Forestry Technician, Trapper Creek Job Corps
Page 6
Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center Courier
Trapper Creek Job Corps Wilderness Discovery Program Hitch Report Photo Essay (continued from page 5)
Adam Washebek, Forestry Technician, Trapper Creek Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center
Kevin Bossardt and Kenneth Gieber deconstructing the old bridge. March 28, 2015.
Adam Washebek sets a block in a tree. March 28, 2015.
Kenneth Gieber, Kevin Bossardt, and Darren Foster learn how to use a hand drill to drill a pilot hole in
order to pound rebar through the stringer and into the sill log. March 29, 2015.
Doug Olive and Anna Bengston tended to the stock to pack 36 8’ 3x12” cedar boards used for decking
on the bridge. March 30, 2015.
David Ortega and Chris Dickenson fall a Douglas
Fir to be used as a curb log. March 29, 2015.
Rigging is used to pull the stringers across Trout
Creek. March 29, 2015.
Trails Specialist Doug Olive. March 30, 2015.
Trapper Creek students use draw knives and
axes to remove high spots on stringers. March
30, 2015.
Page 7
Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center Courier
Trapper Creek Job Corps Wilderness Discovery Program Hitch Report Photo Essay (continued from page 6)
Adam Washebek, Forestry Technician, Trapper Creek Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center
Trapper Creek Job Corps students use draw knives and axes to remove high spots on stringers. March
30, 2015.
Doug and Anna haul the rest of the necessary pieces of decking and get all the decking to the bridge
site by 2 p.m. Adam and the students work on finishing the bridge. With everyone on-deck, the crew
finished the approaches, nailed in all the decking, set up the curbs on 4” spacers and were able to
spend a few moments admiring their work. March 31, 2015.
The completed bridge. March 31, 2015.
Photo opportunity before the trek back home. March 31, 2015.
Photo opportunity before the trek back home. March 31, 2015.
Crew of hikers at 5:55 AM, taken 30 minutes before it started to snow!! April 1, 2015.
Page 8
Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center Courier
Mingo Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center Hosts CERT Training
Debbie Neighbors, Clerical Instructor, Mingo Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center
ing includes disaster
preparedness, disaster
fire suppression, basic
disaster medical operations and light search
and rescue operations.
On February 11-13, 2015, first
responders from the Community
Emergency Response Team
(CERT) program in Poplar Bluff,
Missouri, sponsored the Community Emergency Response
Team (CERT) training at Mingo
Job Corps Civilian Conservation
Center for both students and
staff.
The CERT program helps train
people to be better prepared to
respond to emergency situations
in their communities. When
emergencies happen, CERT
members can give critical support to first responders, provide
immediate assistance to victims, and organize spontaneous
volunteers at a disaster site.
CERT members can also help
with non-emergency projects
that help improve the safety of
the community.
The CERT course is taught in
the community by a trained
team of first responders who
have completed a CERT Trainthe-Trainer course conducted by
their state training office for
emergency management, or
FEMA's Emergency Management Institute (EMI). CERT train-
Disaster simulation: The scenario was an earthquake with
heavy damage to the dorms. The students had to find
victims amongst the rubble. Several victims were found
and treated using the mass casualty/triage system.
Students had to show that they could perform lifting of
heavy objects (rubble) off of victims safely using the
techniques taught in the course such as cribbing. Photo
courtesy of Ryan Lindsley.
Disaster simulation: The scenario was an earthquake with
heavy damage to the dorms. The students had to find
victims amongst the rubble. Several victims were found
and treated using the mass casualty/triage system.
Students had to show that they could perform lifting of
heavy objects (rubble) off of victims safely using the
techniques taught in the course such as cribbing. Photo
courtesy of Ryan Lindsley.
Mingo Job Corps
Civilian Conservation Center is located in Puxico,
MO which had a
population of 881
in the 2010 census. Puxico was
first settled in
1883 and it was
incorporated as a
town in 1884.
Mingo Job Corps Facts
Students: 210
Staff: 63
Vocational Trades:
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Nurse Assistant Home
Health Aide
Office Administration
Union Brick Masonry
Union Carpentry
Union Heavy Equipment Operations
Union Painting
Welding
Using the training
learned in the classroom and during handson disaster exercises,
Mingo Job Corps students and staff will be
able to assist others in
the neighborhood or
workplace following an
event when professional responders are not
immediately available
to help. Members also
are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by
taking a more active
role in emergency preparedness projects in
our communities.
Disaster simulation: The scenario was an earthquake with
heavy damage to the dorms. The students had to find
victims amongst the rubble. Several victims were found
and treated using the mass casualty/triage system.
Students had to show that they could perform lifting of
heavy objects (rubble) off of victims safely using the
techniques taught in the course such as cribbing. Photo
courtesy of Ryan Lindsley.
Disaster simulation: The scenario was an earthquake with
heavy damage to the dorms. The students had to find
victims amongst the rubble. Several victims were found
and treated using the mass casualty/triage system.
Students had to show that they could perform lifting of
heavy objects (rubble) off of victims safely using the
techniques taught in the course such as cribbing. Photo
courtesy of Ryan Lindsley.
Page 9
Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center Courier
Pine Ridge Job Corps Students Participate in Job Shadow Day
Don Richards, Recreation Specialist, Pine Ridge Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center
Students from the Pine Ridge
Job Corps Center job shadowed
employees at various businesses in Chadron, Nebraska on
February 2, 2015. The students
learned how the businesses
operated and were able to get
some “hands on” experience.
At the Solid Waste Agency of
Northwest Nebraska (SWANN),
students cut and welding plates
on bottoms of dumpsters, Michael Reagan installed siding on
a home and Nathanael Osborn
got some plumbing experience
working for Vallette Construction.
Christian Gilbert and Aung Tun
learned about radio station operations at KCSR-KBPY Radio
and the students had the opportunity to be on the air and rec-
orded some public service announcements. Toan Tran and
Anthony Steward worked with
both the Chadron Police Department Dispatch and Patrol Officers. They worked with dispatch
in the morning and went on
patrol in a police cruiser in the
afternoon.
Natashaya Pickens worked with
young children at the Chadron
Child Development Center; several maintenance students also
helped clean rooms at the center. At Engravers, Da Reh
learned how to design and print
a shirt and engrave a pen. Nate
Peterson worked with Eagle
Chevrolet and learned about the
car business and Desiree Levering learned about community
service at the Chadron Chamber
of Commerce. Health occupation students gained job experience at Chadron Community
Hospital and Prairie Pines Care
Center. Facilities maintenance
students assisted with Keep
Chadron Beautiful campaign.
Pine Ridge Job Corps would like
to thank local employers who
helped sponsor the event:
Chadron Chamber Commerce,
Chadron State College Development Center, Eagle Chevrolet,
Chadron State College Maintenance Department, Vallette
Construction, Chadron Communications, KCSR and KBPY Communications, Engravers, Chadron Police Department, SWANN,
Chadron Community Hospital,
Prairie Pines, Keep Chadron
Beautiful and Wal Mart.
Chadron Police Department Officer Derek Bauer with (L-R) Pine Ridge students Toan Tran and Anthony
Stewart . Photo courtesy of Pine Ridge Job Corps.
(L-R) CSC Development employee Kevin Bogus and Pine Ridge student Natashaya Pickens. Photo
courtesy of Pine Ridge Job Corps.
(L-R) Pine Ridge student Da Reh and Trevor and Shelli
Cope at Engravers. Photo courtesy of Pine Ridge Job
Corps.
Pine Ridge student Michael Reagan working at Vallette Construction. Photo courtesy of Pine Ridge
Corps.
(L-R) Pine Ridge students Christian Gilbert
and Aung Tun with KCSR-KBPY Radio
employee Jeff Wing. Photo courtesy of Pine
Ridge Job Corps.
Page 10
Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center Courier
Schenck Job Corps Student Wins $1,000 Educational Scholarship
Cheri W. Jones, High School Diploma/High School Equivalent Coordinator, Schenck Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center
that Isaiah’s academic excellence has been awarded. Isaiah’s diligence is a great example of a young person accomplishing a significant goal that
not only impacts them, but provides a positive example to their
peers and community. We are
so proud of Isaiah!”
In order to help Schenck Job
Corps students further their
education at the postsecondary
level, Ashworth College established a scholarship opportunity
for two of its students.
The scholarship is valued at
$1,000 and may be used towards an Undergraduate Certificate, Associate Degree or Career Diploma program through
Ashworth College Online. This is
the first year that Ashworth College has made the scholarship
available to Schenck students.
The Ashworth Scholarship Committee met to choose a deserving young man or woman based
on a minimum 3.0 grade point
average, an essay of 300 words
or more entitled: “What the Job
Corps and High School Experience Means to Me,” a recommendation from their vocational
instructor, high school teacher,
administrator, or counselor, and
the student holding a silver or
gold Color Card.
At the February 2015 graduation, Schenck Principal Jimmy H.
Copeland, III, presented Isaiah
Edwards with a $1,000 scholarship from Ashworth College.
Isaiah is a building maintenance
student and had recently completed his high school course-
“I promise not to let
Ashworth down by
choosing me.”
—Isaiah Edwards
Ashworth College
Scholarship
Recipient
L-R Schenck Job Corps Academic Manager Jimmy Copeland, scholarship recipient Isaiah Edwards and
Schenck Job Corps Center Director Tammy Wentland. Photo courtesy of Schenck Job Corps.
work.
After the presentation Edwards
said, “I was taken by surprise by
the announcement” and “I want
to thank the Ashworth Scholarship Committee for choosing me
and recognizing my efforts and
hard work.” Edwards went on to
say, “I am so pleased to have
this opportunity to further my
education” and concluded with,
“I promise not to let Ashworth
down by choosing me.”
Later that afternoon, Isaiah’s
mother said, “Regardless of the
struggles that Isaiah has had in
the past, I am proud of my son
and what he has accomplished.
I am so excited that he has won
this scholarship. It will make
such a difference in his life!
Thank you Schenck Job Corps
and Ashworth College.” Edwards
will be the first generation in his
family to attend college.
Vocational Instructor Robert
Roberts IV said, “I would like to
congratulate Isaiah on receiving
this well-deserved award. It has
been my pleasure to watch Isaiah continue to grow and reach
his goals.” Roberts went on to
say, “Isaiah is hardworking and
a leader in the career technical
training portion of the Job Corps
program. He consistently leads
by example and takes ownership of assignments no matter
the circumstances.” Roberts
concluded by saying, “I’m proud
to be a part of this young man’s
journey. I believe he will become
successful in all areas of life
and I am thankful to Ashworth in
assisting a young man who may
not have the opportunity otherwise to attend college.”
Principal Jimmy Copeland, III,
said these things about Edwards
and his award, “We are ecstatic
Center Director Tammy Wentland was all smiles as she said,
“As the Center Director I am
extremely proud of Isaiah for
being the first recipient of this
scholarship here at Schenck. He
has set the bar high for future
Schenck students to strive to
achieve. We appreciate Ashworth for their partnership with
us and their support for our
students.”
Schenck Job Corps is the first
Forest Service Job Corps Center
to receive such an award from
Ashworth College to be used to
help students further their education. Edwards has chosen to
study creative writing with his
scholarship money and has
already placed an order for his
books. He wants to be able to
write exciting, award winning,
children’s books. Be on the
look-out for his first book to be
published soon! Thank you Ashworth for helping to make a
young man’s dreams come true!
L-R Foreground. Schenck Job Corps Academic Manager Jimmy Copeland and scholarship recipient
Isaiah Edwards. Schenck Job Corps Center Director Tammy Wentland is seated. Photo courtesy of
Schenck Job Corps.
Page 11
Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center Courier
Weber Basin Job Corps 2014 Fire Program Projects and Achievements
Brandon J. Everett, Job Corps Fire Area Fire Management Officer, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
Two additional miles of final
tread was completed on the
physical fitness trail system
around the Weber Basin Job
Corps Center, which included
the construction of two of four
bridges and one interpretive
sign slated for the project.
(L-R) Weber Basin student Jaimme Noonchester and Initial Attack leader Ryan McFarland lay decking
on the north loop bridge at the Weber Basin Job Corps Center in October 2014. Photo courtesy of Ryan
McFarland.
Weber Basin Job Corps Civilian
Conservation Center supported
the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest through an average fire season in the Northern
Utah Dispatch Area in 2014.
During the first of the season
the crew helped complete a
Wildland Urban Interface (WUI)
fuels reduction project in Big
Cottonwood Canyon, which lead
to an expansion of the project
and which was completed in
October 2014. A total of 25
acres of shaded fuel breaks
(L-R) Initial Attack Module leader Ryan McFarland
and Weber Basin student Jaimme Noonchester
lop and scatter piles on the Muller Park Trail on
the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest in
August 2014. Photo courtesy of Paul Corrigan.
were cut and piled or chipped to
clear material.
The Engine and Initial Attack (IA)
Module were again assigned to
maintain fuel breaks around the
Rocky Mountain Research Station regional bug laboratory and
Remote Automated Weather
Station (RAWS) in Ogden. The
crew was also requested to lop
and scatter decadent piles and
brush on the Mueller Park trail,
a premier Mountain Biking loop
in the WUI on the Salt Lake
Ranger District that measures
13 miles long and gains 1,500
feet of elevation. The trail was
originally built by the Civilian
Conservation Centers in the
1960s.
The IA Module and Engine
completed multiple days of
stacking sticks and burning
piles on the forest. Due to high
fuel moistures and lack of
broadcast burn windows this
work was critical to meeting
year-end forest fuels targets. A
combined total of 1,510 student work based learning hours
were recorded on national
forest account projects.
During the 2015 season we
anticipate completion of the trail
system and stationing ten fitness stations along the route;
this will be an enhancement for
Center life. Local Helitack crews
also use the trail system and it
may be used to station resources in the Northern Utah
Area during preposition and
staging.
Two days of weed pulling filled
numerous bags of noxious
weeds from the Ogden Valley
and the Wasatch Front above
Ogden, a project that Weber
Basin has supported the Ogden
Ranger District over the last five
seasons.
The IA Module and Engine completed multiple days of stacking
sticks and burning piles on the
forest. Due to high fuel moistures and lack of broadcast burn
windows this work was critical to
meeting year-end forest fuels
targets. A combined total of
1,510 student work based
learning hours were recorded on
national forest account projects.
The Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest and the Weber
Basin Job Corp signed a Public
Lands Corp (PLC) working agreement in May 2014 to provide
continued participation and
recognition of PLC projects on
national forest lands. During the
2014 season ten students completed the required hours needed for noncompetitive status in
PLC program.
Weber Basin Job Corps Facts
Students: 224
Staff: 64
Vocational Trades:







Culinary Arts
Facilities Maintenance
Office Administration
Union Bricklaying
Union Carpentry
Union Electrical
Welding
Weber Basin Job Corps students with Engine 631 perform ignition and holding operations on the Mill
Hollow prescribed burn on the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest in September 2014. Photo
courtesy of Brandon Everett.
Page 12
Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center Courier
Collbran Job Corps Wildland Fire Program 2014 Fire Season Report
David Pearce, Job Corps Fire Area Fire Management Officer, Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests
Collbran Job Corps fire training includes:











Collbran Job Corps firefighters attend a briefing while on the Thompson River Fire Complex on the Lolo
National Forest in August 2014. Photo courtesy of Collbran Job Corps.
The Collbran Job Corps Civilian
Conservation Center Fire Program is a partnership between
the Center and the Grand Mesa,
Uncompahgre, and Gunnison
(GMUG) National Forests. The
objectives of the fire program
are to educate, train, and provide hands on experience in
wildland fire management activities for the students.
In 2014, 46 students completed the Work Capacity Test and
Guard School, earning their
certification as a Wildland Firefighter Type 2 with the U.S. For-
Collbran Job Corps Gunnison River Crew constructing indirect line on the 2014 Johnson Bar
Fire in Idaho. Photo courtesy of Collbran Job
Corps.
est Service. Students gained
experience in prescribed fire,
hazardous fuels reduction and
wildfire suppression, while working in California, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, and Montana.
The first phase of training for the
students consisted of preparing
for the Work Capacity Test at the
arduous level. Students were
provided with fire packs filled
with the required 45 pounds and
were seen walking around Center with these blue packs for
months preparing for the Pack
Test. Students who successfully
completed the Pack Test were
able to attend Guard School.
Upon completion of Guard
School, students earned certificates in S-130, S-190, I-100, L180 and IS-700 and became
certified as a Wildland Firefighter Type 2. The Pack Test and
Guard School were offered in
April and October 2014 to provide opportunities to as many of
the students as possible.
Physical fitness is a high priority
and students participate in regular fitness training. Emphasis is
placed on cardiovascular endurance through running and hik-
Map and Compass
GPS Navigation
Radio use
Medical emergencies
SKED practice
Tool sharpening/repair
Cache and supply
inventory
IRPG use
USFS hiring process
USA Jobs
ing. Push-ups, sit-ups, and pullups are utilized to build muscular strength. Group physical
fitness training is not only helpful to the individual but allows
time to work together as a
group and build the trust and
teamwork that is required for a
successful crew.
In addition to the formal training
during Guard School, weekly
training sessions were provided
to further enhance and expand
upon the skills they had acquired. Topics included Six
Minutes for Safety, National Fire
Situation Report, and Regional/
Local fire conditions.
In May, 2015, students were
selected to attend S-212 Wildfire Chainsaws. This four day
course provided classroom
teaching and hands on cutting
time. This class provided students with another certificate
and experience working with
and around chainsaws.
With Guard School complete
and students physically fit, everyone was ready to respond to a
fire. With a slow start to the fire
season, patience was tested
but rewarded for those who
continued with their training. In
partnership with the GMUG, the
top students in the fire program
were available to join the
Forest’s Type 2 Initial Attack (IA)
crew, Gunnison River. The Gunnison River Crew is comprised
of staff from the U.S. Forest
Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service,
and Job Corps. The first assignment for Gunnison River was in
July and took the crew to Oregon for fourteen days. After
returning home for a short period, the crew was activated
again to Montana and later
reassigned to Idaho. The third
and final trip was to California in
September for another 14 day
assignment.
(continued on page 13)
Collbran Job Corps fire crew member working on the Lower Tri State prescribed fire on the GMUG
National Forest. Photo courtesy of Collbran Job Corps.
Page 13
Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center Courier
Collbran Job Corps Wildland Fire Program 2014 Fire Season Report (continued from page 12)
David Pearce, Job Corps Fire Area Fire Management Officer, Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests
In May 2015, students were
able to use the training they had
received in class on prescribed
fire projects on the national
forest. For some students this
was their first experience working in a forest, camping and
eating Meals-Ready-to-Eat. From
hiking ridges at 9000’ elevation
while burning with a drip torch
to holding a fireline and eating
smoke for hours, students got a
taste of what the job is like.
A module from the Center was
able to participate in prescribed
fire projects on the Gunnison
Ranger District, Ouray Ranger
District, and Grand Valley Ranger District during the spring
burning season. Students
worked in a variety of fuel types
including grass, shrub, timber
and slash. They got to see the
preparation that goes into a
project prior to burning and the
follow up that occurs after the
burning. The module was able
to work with fire managers on
the GMUG to treat approximately 1,200 acres in 2014.
Students were able to assist the
Ouray Ranger District with a
fuels reduction project this summer at the Telluride Ski Resort.
The project consisted of removing trees along the boundary
with Forest Service and private
lands to reduce the threat of
wildfire spreading to private
land and homes. Students also
worked on the removal and
cleanup of a hazardous tree at
the Forest Service office in
Collbran.
Collbran students have participated in a number of training
opportunities and invested
countless hours in their selfdevelopment for potential careers with the Forest Service.
Members of the fire crew have
worked together this summer to
protect the public and natural
resources from fire. They have
worked thousands of hours in
extreme terrain and temperatures, and have had zero accidents or injuries!
Collbran Job Corps Facts
Students: 190
Staff: 63
Vocational Trades:









Computer
Networking/Cisco
Culinary Arts
Facilities Maintenance
Office Administration
Union Carpentry
Union Cement Masonry
Union Floor Covering
Union Painting
Welding
In the first full year of the fire
program partnership with the
Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and
Gunnison National Forests and
Collbran Job Corps, a solid foundation has been built. Recruitment efforts are ongoing to
bring on new students and staff
for the 2015 fire season while
building on the success of
2014. The fire program has a
dedicated facility that holds the
fire cache, training room and
office space. Strengthening
current partnerships and building new ones with other agencies will be a priority in 2015, as
this will provide new opportunities for the students. There will
be an increase in course curriculum that is offered here to provide additional training for returning crewmembers. The future is bright for the 2015
Collbran Job Corps Center fire
season.
Gunnison River Crew warming up after a rain shower on the 2014 Thompson River Fire in Montana.
Photo courtesy of Collbran Job Corps.
Collbran Job Corps students taking a 2014
Pack Test. Photo courtesy of Collbran Job
Corps.
While assigned to multiple
incidents throughout the fire
season, students gained
experience in:






Direct and indirect
hand line construction
Portable pump set up
and hose lay use
Aviation use and bucket
work
Patrolling the fireline
Mop up
Tree felling and snag
mitigation
Collbran Job Corps Fire Team on the 2014 Johnson Bar Fire in Idaho. Photo Courtesy of Collbran Job
Corps.
Page 14
Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center Courier
Yolanda Valenzuela
Alicia D. Bennett, Public Affairs Officer, Job Corps National Office
response was, “Thank you
Yolanda for always being
able to set us on the
straight and narrow. Good
luck to you in your new
adventure. We will miss
working with you.”
After graduating from the
Collbran Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center,
Valenzuela took a posiJCNO Budget Analyst (and Collbran Job Corps graduate)
tion with the Job Corps
Yolanda Valenzuela. Photo courtesy of Alicia D. Bennett
program in 1991 because
she wanted to give back
Happiness for her; sadness for
to
the
program
that had given so
the Job Corps Civilian Consermuch to her. She took a brief
vation Centers—those were the
departure from Job Corps befeelings that spread throughout
tween 1994 through 1999 bethe Forest Service Job Corps
fore she landed back at the
program when Budget Analyst
Bureau of Reclamation Job
(and Collbran Job Corps graduCorps program in August 1999
ate) Yolanda Valenzuela anas a budget analyst.
nounced she was leaving to
accept a promotion to a GS-12
Budget Analyst for the Department of Energy, Western Area
Power Administration (WAPA).
“Sniff-Sniff-Sniff . . . BoohooBoohoo . . . Waa-Waa-Woe is
me!” is one of the more unique
reactions when a Center staff
member learned of Yolanda’s
departure. A more standard
“I found my way back to Job
Corps because I truly believe in
the program and I wanted to be
a part of it in any way that I
could,” remarked Valenzuela.
“The students are the reason
that we are here. I think every
Job Corps employee should
have the opportunity to attend a
graduation and hear a gradua-
tion speech. I remember every
speech I have heard and it reminds me that the work that we
do affects lives of the students
as well as their families.”
Yolanda grew up in Denver,
Colorado and family circumstances led her to enroll in
Collbran Job Corps. “I quickly
made friends and bonded with
others that were in my same
situation or similar situation,”
states Valenzuela. “Collbran
staff was patient and very caring. I truly believe that staff that
work at the Centers are there
because they care dearly about
the students. I was eager to
learn and quickly get a job, so I
completed the program in eight
months.”
Valenzuela says that she can’t
imagine what her life would
have been like if she had not
enrolled in the Job Corps program. “I have been with the
government nearly 24 years
now. I am sure that would not
have happened if I had not graduated from the Collbran Job
Corps Center,” states Valenzuela. “I am grateful for my life’s
experiences; they have taken me
to the place I am today and that
is a good place.”
When she is not solving agency
budgetary issues, Valenzuela
works as a holistic health profession. She is a Reiki practitioner
and she will have her certifications in auricular therapy, iridology, aromatherapy, and master
herbalist by the end of the year.
“I am a volunteer with Estara
Integrative Programs,” says
Valenzuela. “We provide holistic,
Mesoamerican, Indigenous, and
Chinese Medicine healing therapies for low-income individuals
and the elderly.”
While working for WAPA, Valenzuela will continue attending
classes at Metropolitan State
University of Denver for her degree in Integrative Health Care
and the Institute of Bioenergetics Medicine for her board certification as a Doctoral of Natural
Medicine. “
“I will miss my friends and the
program greatly,” stated Valenzuela. Although true, collectively,
the Forest Service Job Corps
program will miss her more.
Civic Duty Has Its Day—Job Corps Students Serve as Mock Jurors
Rachel Nelson, Social Studies Instructor, Grand Mesa High School, Collbran Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center
This is the fourth year Collbran
Job Corps students have participated as Mock Jurors in the
Western Colorado Mock Trial
Competition.
This year 12 Collbran students
listened to the evidence and
determined the verdict. While it
did not influence the actual
Mock trials teach students the importance
of their civic duty to
attend jury duty.
results, the teams truly appreciate the realistic atmosphere the
jury creates.
Because of this experience,
students learned the importance
of their civic duty to attend jury
duty. Students worked with lawyers and judges from around
Western Colorado and received
certificates from the Colorado
Bar Association and Kids Voting
Mesa County for their participation.
The students were highlighted
for their roles in being good citizens by Kids Voting Mesa County on March 12th, 2015, at the
Kids Voting Annual Banquet.
Back row L-R: Students Jerry Duvall, Geeya Bunting, Isaiah Michael Barash, Jessica Cook, Seth
Brinkhaus. Middle row L-R: Students Mariah Daupine, Victoria Mayo, April Peterson, Liz PortilloSanchez, Alexis Chavez. Front row L-R: Student Gage Smith, Grand Mesa High School Social Studies
Teacher Rachel Schowalter, and student Brittain Hardin. Photo courtesy of Collbran Job Corps.
Page 15
Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center Courier
Schenck Job Corps Celebrates the Mathematical Symbol π
Donna McCulloch, Numeracy and Volunteer Coordinator, Schenck Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center
The education students at
Schenk Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center mixed it up as
they enjoyed activities related to
the mathematical symbol π (and
the pie we eat).
Schenk Numeracy/Volunteer
Coordinator Donna McCulloch
believes in bringing fun to learn-
Schenck Job Corps Facts
Students: 181
Staff: 60
Vocational Trades:








Advanced Fire
Management
Advanced Forestry
Automotive Technician
Culinary Arts
Facilities Maintenance
Union Carpentry
Union Painting
Welding
ing. On Pi Day, or March 14
(3.14…) students learn about
‘all things round’ and celebrate
through friendly competition and
recitation of the digits of Pi.
Everyone ends the day’s activities by eating pie. The winner,
who recited the most digits,
earned the opportunity to throw
a pie in a teacher’s face. Watching the young people laugh,
compete and enjoy a few
minutes of just playing, is priceless.
sessing the correct size of
round cake pans in culinary
arts. This skill also can be used
in facilities maintenance when
selecting PVC or galvanized
piping.
Activities of this nature also
allow students gain experience
in conflict resolution, teambuild-
“Teaching and working with
Job Corps students is most
rewarding when I can
‘teach outside the box,’
relating math concepts to
job situations.”
McCulloch finds that teaching
and working with her Job Corps
students is most rewarding
when she can “teach outside
the box,” relating math concepts
to job situations. This activity
provides an innovative way of
understanding applied academics.
π is a measurement concept
that requires critical thinking
when relating how to determine
the distance around a circle
through the use of the circle’s
diameter.
ing, and self-advocacy–all of
which support our social skills
program. Schenk Job Corp Civilian Conservation Center has
ranked in the top 10 Job Corps
Centers in numeracy rankings
for the past two years.
—Donna McCulloch
Numeracy and Volunteer
Coordinator, Schenck
Job Corps
The symbol Pi. Photo Courtesy of Schenck Job
Corps.
Students use this skill when
determining such things as a
pipe-fitting in welding and as-
L-R Patrick Jones, Donna McCulloch. Photo courtesy of Schenck Job Corps.
L-R (Facing Camera) Malik Randall, Kendell Kirkwood, Billy Dixon, Ivan Zayas-Font, Chris Cates,
Elijahwan Haynes-Jones, Phillip Cuthbertson, Cheri Jones, Sho’ntel Woodberry, Thomas Miller, Patrick
Jones, Isaac Abbott, Kenneth Oscar. (Back to Camera) Ajari Flint-Wright, Delante’ Teel, Tashala
Gilliam, Kayleb Roy, Taylor White, Marky Vongphakdy, Nick Garcia, Ashley Doherty, Steven Suber,
Donjeia Alston-Jones, Alexandra Villalba, Lyric West. Photo courtesy of Schenck Job Corps.
Page 16
Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center Courier
Schenck Job Corps Celebrates the Mathematical Symbol π (continued from page 15)
Donna McCulloch, Numeracy and Volunteer Coordinator, Schenck Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center
L-R Christopher Reeves, Kayleb Roy, Thomas Miller. Photo courtesy of Schenck Job Corps.
L-R Derek Davis, Malik Randell, Natasha Hayes, Turea Turner, Sanchez Allen, Billy Dixon, Ivan ZayasFont, Kayleb Roy. Photo courtesy of Schenck Job Corps.
L-R Patrick Jones, Nick Garcia, Kendell Kirkwood, Steven Suber, Donjea Alsto-Jones, Donna
McCulloch (Behind the pie). Photo courtesy of Schenck Job Corps.
L-R Derek Davis, Brandon Magwood, Shanell Johnson. Photo courtesy of Schenck Job Corps.
Short Takes from the World of Civilian Conservation Centers
THE 2014 JOB CORPS STUDENT
VOLUNTEER NUMBERS ARE IN!



1,388 student volunteers
355,000 hours
Interesting Factoid: Job Corps students contributed the highest hours per person of four programs—Job Corps, Volunteers, YCC, and
Partners.
Top 3 Job Corps Student Volunteer Activities



Fire prevention, 162,040
Facilities construction, 80,870
Campground caretaking, 32,180
This translates into $8.01M in value generated.
Page 17
Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center Courier
Trapper Creek Students Complete a Season of Work-Based Learning With the Wisdom Fire Crew
Justin Abbey, Job Corps Fire Area Fire Management Officer, Bitterroot National Forest
During the 2014 fire season,
two students successfully completed a full season of workbased learning (WBL) as members of the Wisdom Ranger
District Fire Crew (BeaverheadDeerlodge National Forest).
Nineteen year olds Viridiana
Gonzalez, from California, and
Jessica Leblanc, from Colorado,
seized the opportunity to volunteer with the district and determine if they were suited for a
career in fire.
The two students were interviewed and selected in February, but then required to maintain excellent behavior by Cen-
Trapper Creek Job Corps
Facts
Students: 217
Staff: 67
Vocational Trades:









Facility Maintenance
Welding
Culinary Arts
Electrical
Forestry Conservation
and Firefighting
Office Administration
Union Carpentry
Union Cement Masonry
Union Painting
ter conduct standards. Both
Viridiana and Jessica fully integrated with the fire crew— living
in government housing, and
working side-by-side other district personnel.
Trapper Creek Job Corps logistically supported the two students with meals and transportation while the Wisdom Ranger
District provided supervision
and training. Jessica and Viridiana were paid as casual hires
"The experience showed
me how hard this job really
is, but strengthened how
bad I really wanted it. It
gave me a better understanding of what I'd
learned in training at center. I'll do it for the next
40 years if I can."
—Viridiana Gonzalez
when assigned to an incident on a pcode or severity assignment; otherwise, they were actively volunteering
their time to gain on-the-job experience--resulting in more boots on the
ground with minimal expense to the
federal government.
Trapper Creek student Viridiana Gonzalez on her work-based learning assignment as a
member of the Wisdom Ranger District fire crew. Photo courtesy of Justin Abbey.
Both students contributed approximately 800 volunteer hours of work for
the district between May and September, 2014, and they now have a full
season of fire experience on their resumes as they begin to look for temporary positions for the 2015 fire season.
"I achieved my goal to
learn as much as possible.
It was like I found my calling. Everything I'd been
training for was put into
action, and came to life."
—Jessica Leblanc
Trapper Creek student Jessica Leblanc on her work-based learning assignment as a
member of the Wisdom Ranger District fire crew. Photo courtesy of Justin Abbey.
Page 18
Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center Courier
Short Takes from the World of Civilian Conservation Centers
Frenchburg Job Corps Education Manager
Darrell Cross takes students to the fifth
annual Hazard Community & Technical
College Super Sunday recruitment event
Sunday at Hazard Consolidated Baptist
Church. The statewide initiative targets
African-American and Latino students and
their families with information and resources to support college admissions and
enrollment. See the video at:
Boxelder Job Corps students Anthony Brewer, Rashelle Kills Pretty Enemy, Alyssa Stacy, Say Wah Pah, Jacob Zulaug, Hector
Sanchez, Bobby Sanchez, Mosse Dawet, Carrie Shaw, Gopi Gahajmer, Dillion Mentz, Matt Shakalton, Lance Batty, Jonathan
Harris, James Simonson, Paul Frankus, Harold Red Owl, James Big Crow Richard McKinney, and Steven Burning Breast
volunteered 172 hours to the non-profit Home Builders Association conference in Rapid City South Dakotaon March 27,
2015. Students filled over 5,000 bags with materials for handouts at the trade show. Photo courtesy of Jerry Hood.
http://www.wkyt.com/wymt/home/
headlines/Frenchburg Job Corps Students
attend HCTC Super-Sunday-recruitmentevent-297185181.html
Idaho Court of Appeals Judge (and Wolf Creek Job Corps Civilian Conservation
Center Graduate) to Be Honored at Job Corps 50th Anniversary Celebration
Great Onyx Job Corps students get one-on-one help. Read
more:
Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/2516954
http://www.bgdailynews.com/features/job-corps-givesstudents-one-on-one-help/article_33d74010-e88a5c59-b13b-090fa6bcf94a.html
Schenck Job Corps Graduate to Be Honored at Job Corps
50th Anniversary Celebration
Read more:
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150408
006387/en/Californian-Honored-Job-Corps-50thAnniversary-Celebration#.VTRusE0cS00
Mingo Job Corps student leaders were recognized at the quarterly leadership awards banquet at Dexter Bar B. Que. The guest
speaker was former Job Corps Social Service Manager Steve Fowler. Fowler spoke to the student leaders about what makes
an effective leader and the responsibilities that go along with it. Photo courtesy of Jonathan Dawe.
Page 19
Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center Courier
What Can Civilian Conservations Centers Do For Your National Forests or Grasslands?
Sample Work
Forest Service Job Corps
Civilian Conservation Centers
National Forest Systems
Recreation




Trail construction, trail maintenance
Recreation Site improvements: painting (signs, picnic tables),
facilities maintenance, construction, brush removal, mowing,
trailhead maintenance)
Installation of picnic tables, fire rings
Kiosk construction and installation
Forestry




Pre-commercial thinning, tree planting, timber marking
Stream maintenance -gabion installations
Nursery work -tree lifting and packing, seedling planting
The Forest Service is facing critical shortages of workers. Job Corps is an ideal source from which to recruit
and improve the diversity of its permanent workforce. The partnership between the Forest and JCCCCs can
benefit both parties through development of work-based learning (WBL) opportunities that provide on-the
-job training for students and help the Forest Service meet mission critical project goals. Looking to add
professional, trained, youthful, diverse staff to your project or office? Forest Service Job Corps Civilian
Conservation Center students or Mobile Corps can be a valuable addition to your next project.
Mobile Corps projects are larger scale, multi-student and/or multi-center projects. These projects have
ranged from painting/maintenance at Grey Towers Historical site, building smaller buildings and
campsite projects, to the construction of ranger stations and staff housing. A formal application process
must be completed for project consideration.
Job Corps students are eligible for federal employment. As students they can be hired using the Pathways
Program. They may also qualify for the Public Lands Corps Act (PLC). Students are able to compete
through the traditional federal hiring but using these two authorities might expedite JCCCC student hiring.
Contact Cyndi Szymanski at 303-275-5074 or e-mail at :[email protected] for additional
information.
Cone Collection
Wildlife/Fisheries/Hydrology/Soils
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



Install Inserts for Red Cockcaded Woodpecker
Boundary marking of Red Cockcaded Woodpecker area
Snag/Grouse drumming log creation
Mid-story removal
Gabion installations
Infestation surveys
Engineering

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Blackwell Job Corps students work in the Center’s Peoples Garden. Photo
courtesy of Blackwell Job Corps.
Carpentry, painting
Heavy equipment repair and maintenance, auto maintenance
Electrical, plumbing, welding
Brick and concrete masonry
Fashion stone foundations for forest portal signs
Lyndon B. Johnson Job Corps welding students
pose behind the Center’s entry sign. Photo
courtesy of Lyndon B. Johnson Job Corps.
Stream inventory
Boundary/landline location, marking, inspection and maintenance
Road Maintenance - sawing and chipping for site clearance on
FS roads
Greening of Job Corps Centers, Research Stations, and District
Offices
Cass Job Corps heavy equipment student. Photo courtesy of Cass Job
Corps.
Administrative
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Front desk operator /services
Data input, clerical, computer installation (Job Corps IT Team),
record keeping
State and Private Forestry
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Fire suppression, rehab, mop-up, catering
Prescribed fire
Research
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Data collection
Inventory
The hard work of fighting fire appears to agree with the Flatwoods Job
Corps Lonesome Pine Crew. Photo courtesy of Flatwoods Job Corps.
Angell Job Corps urban forestry student. Photo
courtesy of Angell Job Corps.
Page 20
Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center Courier
1964 — 2014
Conserving America’s
Natural Resources
for 50 Years
Job Corps is the nation’s largest
residential, educational, and
career technical training program that prepares economically disadvantaged youth, ranging
in age from 16 to 24, for productive employment. USDA
Forest Service operates 28 Job
Corps Civilian Conservation
Centers (JCCCCs) with a capacity to house, educate, and train
over 5,200 enrollees. Students
attend academic and vocational classes and learn critical life
skills in preparation for longterm employment, careers in
natural resources, continued
education or military service.
The JCCCCs provide a unique
opportunity for at-risk youth to
take control of and steer their
lives in a positive direction and
contribute to the conservation of
the nation’s public natural resources. JCCCCs are associated
with national forests or grasslands and are operated by the
United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service
in partnership with the Department of Labor (DOL).
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To
file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of
the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC
20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay),
(866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).
Alicia D. Bennett
Public Affairs Officer/Editor
USDA Forest Service Job Corps
740 Simms Street
Golden, CO 80401
Phone: 303-275-5934
Fax: 303-275-5940
E-mail: [email protected]
Ron Cubit
Program Specialist/Assistant
Editor
To subscribe to the Courier, send
your e-mail address to:
[email protected]
We’re On the Web:
http://fsweb.jc.wo.fs.fed.us/