Career Pathways
The California Conservation Corps believes in creating dynamic pathways for our Corpsmembers. We do this by establishing education and training pipelines to prepare the young adults who enroll in our program for meaningful careers focused on preserving and protecting California’s natural resources.
We’re able to provide this service to Corpsmembers through our Career Pathways & Transition Coordinators, or Navigators. These staff are dedicated to meeting one-on-one with Corpsmembers to discuss their plans and ambitions, and how their time in the CCC can best be used to accomplish their goals.
Every CCC district, which encompasses one or more centers, has a Navigator. Navigators, in addition to working directly with individual Corpsmembers, also arrange career fairs, community college visits, guest speakers, and more.
Explore Positions
A year in the CCC can lead to many career and educational pathways for Corpsmembers. Every Corpsmembers’ future goals are different. It’s why our Navigators meet individually with Corpsmembers multiple times to help them work on achieving their goals and find the best pathway forward. This sections highlights specific career options in State Service and a broad overview of other routes Corpsmembers have pursued.
A Corpsmember from the CCC Placer Center meets with the center navigator to discuss career options and chart out their path to success.
Built Environment Careers
Caltrans: Service Assistant (Maintenance)
Job Description: Under close supervision, to learn and to perform the less difficult gardening and maintenance duties in a park, highway, building, or grounds setting; to perform miscellaneous laboring work; and to do other related work.
Qualifications: Three months’ experience as a Corpsmember with the California Conservation Corps.
Learn more about the Service Assistant (Maintenance) position. This position is part of the Caltrans Maintenance Series, a pathway into state service.
Caltrans: Building Maintenance Worker
Job Description: Under supervision, to do a variety of semiskilled manual tasks in the alteration, maintenance, and repair of buildings and building facilities; may instruct, lead, or supervise inmates, wards, or resident workers; and to do other related work.
Qualifications: One year of experience as a Corpsmember in the California Conservation Corps.
Learn more about the Building Maintenance Worker position. This position is part of the Caltrans Maintenance Series, a pathway into state service.
State Parks: Service Assistant (Maintenance)
Job Description: The class of Service Assistant (Maintenance) is designed to provide on-the-job experience for persons who have successfully completed a training program in grounds, highway, or building maintenance work. Experience in this class is qualifying for advancement to higher level classes in such areas as grounds keeping and highway or building maintenance work.
Qualifications: Three months’ experience as a Corpsmember with the California Conservation Corps.
Learn more about the Service Assistant (Maintenance) position.
State Parks : Park Maintenance Assistant
Job Description: The class of Service Assistant (Maintenance) works under supervision to do routine cleanup and unskilled maintenance helper tasks in a State Park District and has a year-round workload. This position may lead a crew of seasonal employees doing cleanup and other unskilled work during peak seasons as well as other related work.
Qualifications: Any combination of education and experience which will develop the ability to understand mechanical relationships, read and write, follow directions, and communicate in English as are necessary to perform the housekeeping duties and learn the semiskilled maintenance tasks required to properly maintain a public use beach or park facility. The CCC can help Corpsmembers meet these qualifications.
Learn more about the Park Maintenance Assistant position.
State Parks: Park Maintenance Worker 1
Job Description: This position works under supervision to do skilled and semiskilled structural and facility maintenance and repair work in a State Park District; leads and train a crew of maintenance employees. In extremely small park districts this position assists with planning for and supervising the area maintenance program and does other related work.
Qualifications: Either two years of experience in the California state service performing the duties of a Park Maintenance Assistant. Or two years of experience in a construction, building repair, or mechanical trade. The CCC can help Corpsmembers gain this experience.
Learn more about the Park Maintenance Worker 1 position.
State Parks: Senior Maintenance Aide (Seasonal)
Job Description: Under direction, on a temporary or seasonal basis only, to lead lower-level seasonal employees performing unskilled manual labor in cleaning up and maintaining State property; and to do other related work.
Qualifications: Experience: One year or 1,920 hours of experience in any one of the following: construction, equipment maintenance or operation, leading housekeeping or conservation crews, building repair, or mechanical trades. Education: Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.) The CCC can help Corpsmembers meet these qualifications.
Learn more about the Senior Maintenance Aide (Seasonal) position.
CAL FIRE: Forestry Aide (Defensible Space Inspector)
Job Description: This position performs defensible space inspections and interacts with the public to provide fire prevention information.
Qualifications: Three (3) months of experience with public or private entities performing sub-professional work in forestry, fire prevention, fire suppression and control, natural resource management, or other related work. The CCC can help Corpsmembers gain this experience.
Learn more about the Forestry Aide (Defensible Space Inspector) position.
Additional Built Environment Careers
CCC Corpsmembers have gone on to a variety of careers with private energy companies, regional and county parks districts, as well as local publics works departments. Corpsmembers have also furthered their education, leveraging their scholarships to pursue trades programs and higher education.
Path To Success
View CCC alumni who have launched careers in the built environment.
Anthony Meier
Solar Installer
Solar Source Long Beach
A year in the CCC helps young adults get the industry-recognized certifications needed to find meaningful jobs. CCC Norwalk Center alum Anthony Meier is proof, as he’s now a solar installer with Solar Source Long Beach, where he’s installing solar panels, decks and rails.
He’s also doing the electrical installation and wiring to panels. Anthony says these are skills he learned while in the CCC, as he became familiar with how to properly use tools, basic electrical, and so much more that he continues to use in his new job.
While Anthony had an opportunity like this when he joined the CCC, he says the program can help anyone. “If you have no idea what to do with your life, the CCC is a good opportunity,” he says.
Anthony Meier
Jose Ramirez
Electrical Technician
Caltrans
Jose Ramirez joined the CCC Pomona Center to energize his life, and he found it! “The work was demanding but also incredibly rewarding,” he said.
After completing trails and habitat restoration projects, Jose discovered his spark in energy conservation. Now, he’s charging ahead on his #PathToSuccess, joining state service.
“The CCC experience has prepared me with a solid foundation in technical skills, safety practices, and teamwork, all of which are valuable assets as I step into the role of a Caltrans Electrical Technician,” said Jose.
Jose Ramirez
Daniel Gregoire
Water Services Technician
City of Camarillo
Corpsmember to intern to career. Daniel Gregoire is moving forward on his CCC Path to Success.
“I had the opportunity to work for Camarillo Public Works as an intern through the CCC,” said Daniel. “For about 6 months, I became familiar with the city and built relationships with full-time employees.”
Soon, a water service technician job opened up and Daniel was able to leverage additional resources available to him at the CCC Camarillo Center to prepare himself and his application.
“When I was selected for an interview, my center’s career navigator assisted me with a mock interview,” said Daniel. Safe to say, he nailed it!
Daniel Gregoire
Culinary Careers
State of California: Cook Specialist 1
Job Description: Under supervision, to assist in preparing, cooking, and dispensing food for the residents and employees of a State institution; to care for culinary equipment, supplies, and work areas; to work with employees and helpers from the resident population; may instruct, lead, or supervise inmates, wards, or resident workers; and do other related work.
Qualifications: One year of experience in assisting a cook in the preparation and cooking of a varied menu. (Full-time training in a recognized trade school or training program for cooks may be substituted for the required experience on the basis of one month of school attendance being equal to two months of experience.) The CCC can help Corpsmembers meet these qualifications.
Learn more about the Cook Specialist 1 position. This position is part of the Caltrans Specialist Series, a pathway into state service. Several California State agencies hire for this position including the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Developmental Services, CAL FIRE, the Department of Transportation, and the California Conservation Corps.
Additional Culinary Careers
CCC Corpsmembers have gone on to a variety of careers with commercial kitchens, resorts, and restaurants. Corpsmembers have also furthered their education, leveraging their scholarships to pursue culinary school.
Emergency Response Careers
CAL FIRE: Firefighter II (Paramedic)
Job Description: Respond to fires, provide emergency medical assistance, help the community – it’s all part of being a paramedic at CAL FIRE.
Qualifications: Completion of prerequisite training courses for Fire Fighter I certification. The CCC can help Corpsmembers meet these qualifications.
Learn more about the Firefighter II (Paramedic) position.
CDFA: Agricultural Technician I (Seasonal)
Job Description: Under close supervision, incumbents perform the less responsible and routine seasonal work in a field, a field and laboratory, or an office setting concerned with the inspection of agricultural commodities; the control of plant and animal pests and diseases; inspection of vehicles for compliance with agricultural commodity quarantine laws and regulations; assistive and nonprofessional entomological or plant pest work; hide and brand inspection; livestock identification; livestock sampling activities; or environmental monitoring and pesticide use/management.
Qualifications: One season of experience (approximately three months) in growing, harvesting, grading, packing, sorting, loading, buying, selling, or inspecting fruits, vegetables, or other agricultural commodities; or the inspection and certification of livestock; or in virus, animal/plant pest, or disease eradication and control work in the field or laboratory; the inspection of fruit trees for presence of viruses; environmental monitoring; biological control or pest management work including pest and pesticide sampling and rearing of pests, landscape maintenance or nursery operations work, or other agricultural work. The CCC can help Corpsmembers meet these qualifications.
Learn more about the Agricultural Technician I (Seasonal) position. This position is part of the Agricultural Aide/Technician (Seasonal) Series, a pathway into state service.
Additional Emergency Response Careers
CCC Corpsmembers have gone on to a variety of careers with private environmental companies as well as the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Path To Success
View CCC Alumni who have launched careers related to emergency response.
D. Alex Lira
Disaster Assistance Programs Specialist
California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES)
When D. Alex Lira joined the CCC Sacramento Center he didn’t know his CCC Path to Success would take him to our partners at the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, or CalOES.
In fact, Alex didn’t even know there was a CalOES. Through his work on resource crews he gained a wide variety of skills. Working with his career navigator, he expressed an interest in emergency response work and when an internship with CalOES came up, Alex got the call.
He turned that opportunity into a job where he’s continuing to serve the state and make a difference in people’s lives if and when disaster strikes.
D. Alex Lira
Elishay Taylor
Emergency Medical Technician
Cal-Med Ambulance
“Coming into the CCC as a young adult, I got to see the world from a different perspective,” said Corpsmember Shay Taylor. “I got to learn about different career paths I’d never heard of before.”
In fact, her time at CCC Fortuna and Camarillo centers, plus the Backcountry Trails Program, led Shay to become an EMT. Already in her new role, Shay is excelling in her CCC Path to Success.
She said, “I’ve found myself bringing in skills that I learned while being in the CCC such as inventory – which I learned during base camp support – lifting techniques, and effective leadership skills.”
Elishay Taylor
Edith Perez
Hazmat & HAZWOPER Technician
IQ Personnel Environmental Staffing
When Edith Perez joined the CCC San Diego Center she was looking to make a difference for herself and community. In her year in the CCC, she did everything from fuel reduction to wildland firefighting. Working on the CAL FIRE partnered fire crew was her favorite experience.
“We were as strong as the weakest link and never left anyone behind,” Edith said. “Our crew supervisor was very supportive of all of us. He always inspired us and taught us that we can reach our dreams by never giving up on ourselves.”
Edith took the lessons and challenges from the CCC and is now applying them to her new position as a Hazmat and HAZWOPER technician with IQ Personnel Environmental Staffing.
Edith Perez
Forestry Careers
State of California: Forestry Technician
Job Description: This is the normal entry training level to the series. Under close supervision, incumbents learn to perform routine technical resource management assignments of average difficulty. Incumbents will perform basic fire control assignments during fire season and occasionally at other times.
Qualifications: Six months’ experience as a Corpsmember with the California Conservation Corps.
Learn more about the Forestry Technician position. This position is part of the Forestry Technician/Assistant Series, a pathway into state service.
Additional Forestry Careers
CCC Corpsmembers have gone on to a variety of careers with private forestry companies, utility line clearance companies, and the U.S. Forest Service as federal Forestry Technicians.
Path To Success
View CCC Alumni who have launched forestry careers.
George Daniels
Forestry Technician
U.S. Forest Service
At the CCC Inland Empire Center, George Daniels loved completing fuels reduction projects and responding to incidents in the Mojave on the Bureau of Land Management-partnered wildland fire crew.
“Overcoming my physical limits was a big thing for me,” George said “But, the CCC prepared me physically and mentally to work on the federal side (of the fire service).”
After building up his skills in the CCC, George is now moving forward on his Path to Success by joining the U.S. Forest Service as a primary sawyer on a wildland fire crew. “Through the CCC, I found a line of work that fills me with purpose.”
George Daniels
Ginger Gonzalez
Forestry Consultant
Davey Resource Group
For Ginger Gonzalez, the CCC Forestry Corps didn’t just deepen her love for nature — it set her on a meaningful career path.
“It made me realize what I want to dedicate my life to: protecting the great outdoors,” she said. After taking coursework and earning certifications at the CCC Los Padres Center, she’s now branching out on her Path To Success as a utility forestry consultant with Davey Resource Group.
Ginger’s advice for those joining the CCC? “Definitely stay focused. Never let distractions get in the way!”
Ginger Gonzalez
Ren Chamarro
Forestry Aide
California Tahoe Conservancy
The summer may be hot but at least Corpsmember Ren Chamarro has some chilly memories to cherish. During the winter months at CCC Tahoe Center, Ren went sledding with his crew during a moonlit night.
In addition to fun in the snow, Ren surveyed sensitive habitats and worked on wildfire resilience projects with his fellow Corpsmembers.
While in the CCC, Ren also took courses with Lake Tahoe Community College which he says, “helped me learn local knowledge and nail my job interview.” Isn’t that what its all about?
Learning skills and using the CCC as steppingstone, a CCC Path to Success if you will. A long-time resident of South Lake Tahoe, Ren will spend many more seasons in his hometown working as a Forestry Aide for the California Tahoe Conservancy.
Ren Chamarro
Watershed and Fisheries Careers
Department of Boating and Waterways: Aquatic Pest Control Technician
Job Description: This is the entry level in which incumbents will work under close supervision performing routine tasks while receiving training in aquatic pest control work. Incumbents are expected to demonstrate rapid progress through approved on-the-job training. Training will be designed to allow the employee to assume progressively more responsible and independent work as progression through the alternate ranges occurs.
Qualifications: Equivalent to six months of experience performing pest eradication or control work.
Learn more about the Aquatic Pest Control Technician Technician position. This position is part of the Aquatic Pest Control, Department of Boating and Waterways Series, a pathway into state service.
State of California: Fish and Wildlife Seasonal Aid
Job Description: Under close supervision, as a seasonal helper only, to do routine conservation work in connection with Department of Fish and Game field activities; and to do other related work.
Qualifications: Possession of a valid driver license. Demonstrated knowledge of, interest in, and aptitude for fish and wildlife conservation and repair and maintenance work; willingness to live and work throughout the State. CCC can help Corpsmembers meet these qualifications.
Learn more about the Fish and Wildlife Seasonal Aid position.
State of California: Fish and Wildlife Technician
Job Description: This specification describes a recruiting and developmental class in which employees, under supervision, perform a variety of tasks in fish and wildlife conservation work at fixed or temporary installations in the natural habitat and fish hatcheries; work in a major phase of the operation of a fish hatchery; or act as lead of a small crew engaged in fish and wildlife habitat improvement work, fish planting, counting, or egg collection activities; and do other related work. Incumbents are assigned duties and responsibilities commensurate with their background and training.
Qualifications: Six months of experience in the natural resources field such as parks, forestry, or fish and wildlife. (Completion of one year of college with at least six semester units in the biological sciences may be substituted for the required experience.) CCC can help Corpsmembers meet these qualifications.
Learn more about the Fish and Wildlife Technician position.
State of California: Fish Habitat Assistant
Job Description: Under direction, either (1) in a fish habitat improvement shop, perform and assist in the construction, installation, and maintenance of fish screens, ladders, traps, and fish habitat improvement on streams and lakes; or (2) in a field assignment, coordinate and implement fish habitat improvement projects on streams and lakes; and do other related work.
Qualifications: Experience: Two years of experience in the natural resources field such as parks, forestry or fish and wildlife, performing construction and maintenance work on habitat development projects. and Education equivalent to completion of the 12th grade. CCC can help Corpsmembers meet these qualifications.
Learn more about the Fish Habitat Assistant position.
Additional Fisheries Careers
CCC Corpsmembers have gone on to a variety of careers with nonprofit companies as well as the federal government, working with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and
National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration.
Path To Success
View CCC Alumni who have launched fisheries and watershed restoration careers.
Mario Abel Henriquez Pineda
Fish & Wildlife Seasonal Aid
California Department of Fish & Wildlife
It’s a bit fitting for Mario Abel Henriquez Pineda to get the call he’s been offered a position with California Department of Fish & Wildlife while on the recent Watershed Protection Mission.
When he interviewed for the position, he was also hard at work in the field with his CCC Delta Center crew. Mario’s love of working in the outdoors and protecting our state’s natural resources had him wanting to stay in the California Natural Resources Agency family.
After exploring his options, he found a Fish & Wildlife Seasonal Aid position and jumped at the chance to continue serving.
Mario Abel Henriquez Pineda
MK Woodie
Water Analyst
Quartz Valley Indian Reservation
Like a fish in water, MK Woodie’s time in the CCC went swimmingly! From building bridges with the CCC Santa Maria Center to fighting floods with the CCC Tahoe center, she jumped from place-to-place learning valuable skills along the way.
“My favorite experience hands-down was participating in the Mattole dives with the Watershed Stewards Program,” said MK. “There I saw 20-foot pools filled with fish water snakes, turtles, just anything. It was amazing, it’s what I love to do. My happy place.”
With a long-term goal of becoming a marine biologist, MK was able to leverage her scholarships and packed resume to land a job as a water analyst with the Quartz Valley Indian Reservation and enroll in school to obtain her associate degree in environmental science.
MK Woodie
Rachel Bentz
Scientific Aide
California Department of Fish & Wildlife
We hear it all the time, the CCC is an opportunity to break out of your comfort zone. CCC Solano Corpsmember Rachel Bentz says she was incredibly shy and not confident in her abilities when she first joined.
A year and a half in the CCC, Rachel worked her way to becoming a crew leader, chain saw operator, and more. “The CCC helped me grow as a person to boost my confidence and to try new things,” Rachel said.
She turned her forestry and habitat restoration work experience into a new position as a scientific aide at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area.
“The CCC is all about giving you new experiences and trainings to help with your goals. Don’t be afraid to try.”
Rachel Bentz
Habitat Restoration Careers
State of California: Wildlife Habitat Assistant
Job Description: The incumbent is in charge of a subordinate area requiring daily management but outside the effective daily range of supervision of the Area Manager or is responsible for county-wide habitat development programs in cooperation with local soil conservation districts and other agencies.
Qualifications: Three years of experience in the natural resources field such as field and wildlife, parks or forestry performing construction and maintenance work on habitat development projects. At least one year of this experience must have been as a supervisor or lead person. The CCC can help Corpsmembers meet these qualifications.
Learn more about the Wildlife Habitat Assistant position. This position is part of the Wildlife Habitat Management Series, a pathway into state service.
California Conservation Corps: Conservationist 1
Job Description: This is the entry, working, and journey level class. Under direction, incumbents work with and/or direct the work of a crew on a wide variety of conservation activities and projects. Incumbents transport crew members and staff to job sites in state-owned vehicles. Assignments may be specific to include but are not limited to, leading crews on the grade or in the field, acting in a relief capacity, as an advisor in a residential or satellite facility, leading energy crews, or acting in a relief capacity filling in for several or all areas.
Qualifications: One year of experience as a Corpsmember in the California Conservation Corps, including at least six months as a Crew Leader.
Learn more about the Conservationist 1 position. This position is part of the Conservationist Series, a pathway into state service.
Additional Habitat Restoration Careers
CCC Corpsmembers have gone on to a variety of careers with resource conservation districts, tribal governments, as well as local and regional nonprofits.
Path To Success
View CCC Alumni who have launched habitat restoration careers.
Marina Chow
Invasive Plant Management Technician
Great Bain Institute
Marina Chow never saw herself in a leadership role before joining the CCC. “I didn’t know how to be a leader,” she said. “But, I wanted to push myself, so I chose to be a crew leader.”
Marina’s experience and dedication earned her the respect of her crew, increasing her confidence and developing her leadership abilities. While at CCC Pomona, Marina also honed her plant identification and hiking skills.
After more than two years in the program, Marina is now applying everything she learned at her new job with the Great Basin Institute in Yosemite National Park. In this role, she’s surveying public lands to identify rare and invasive species and help determine if past treatments have been effective.
Marina Chow
Chynna Silva
Aquatic Pest Control Technician
California State Parks – Division of Boating and Waterways
After 20 months in the CCC, Chynna Silva made a splash with California State Parks – Division of Boating and Waterways. That’s right, she’s landed a position as an aquatic pest control technician.
“The CCC prepared me for this job by preparing me for working outdoors,” Chynna said. “It built my foundation for working in State Parks and gave me knowledge, working with certain tools that I had never used before.”
For folks interested in the CCC, she says “it’s a job training program so make sure you use it that way to prepare for future employment.” By leveraging her experiences in the program, Chynna is floating along on her Path to Success!
Chynna Silva
Jiji Plum
Park Attendant
Otay Lakes County Park (San Diego)
Julianna (Jiji) Plum transformed their life with the CCC, overcoming their past cycles of homelessness and abuse. Despite initial doubts, they persevered at the CCC San Diego Center, supported by their crew and supervisors.
“I was scared I wasn’t capable,” Jiji said, “but I concluded that if I run away cause it’s hard, I’m giving up on life.” Now holding two jobs with Otay Lakes County Park and Old Town Historic State Park, Jiji encourages others to join the CCC and move forward on their #PathToSuccess.
“Just do it. For one year, choose yourself and take every opportunity there is,” they said. “Do your best every day. You’re going to grow and learn so much. It’s life changing.”
Jiji Plum
Trails Careers
California State Parks: Statewide Trails Crew
Many CCC Corpsmembers find career pathways with California State Parks, serving on Statewide Trails Crews. Positions on these trails crews fall under a variety of State Parks job classifications.
Seasonal:
Full-time Positions:
Additional Trails Careers
CCC Corpsmembers have gone on to careers with the National Parks Service and U.S. Forest Service, maintaining trails on federal land. Additionally, non-profits and out-of-state conservation corps programs have also hired Corpsmembers.
Path To Success
View CCC Alumni who have launched careers related to trail building, construction, and maintenance.
Marisol Santiago
Backcountry/Front Country Trails Lead
Montana Conservation Corps
When we say the CCC can Transform Your Life, we mean it. CCC Santa Maria Corpsmember Marisol Santiago lived it. “The CCC completely changed my life for the better,” she said. “I found a version of myself here that I thought I could never attain and with my new sense of confidence I hope to make a positive impact on the new people I meet in the conservation industry.”
You could say Marisol is playing a game of follow the leader. Inspired by her Conservationist 1s and CCC Backcountry supervisors in the CCC, Marisol is now leading a trails crew of her own with the Montana Conservation Corps.
“I met incredible leads who inspired my love for the outdoors and inspired my love to teach young adults about conservation,” Marisol said. “I love helping others and hope to continue making a positive impact on those around me.” She’s building pathways and a #CCCPathtoSuccess for herself and others.
Marisol Santiago
Kai Cortez
Trail Worker
National Park Service
“The CCC set me on the path of conservation,” said Kai Cortez. “It helped me understand that a career exists for someone like me.”
Wanting to be outdoors and work with his hands, Kai joined the CCC San Diego Center then CCC Backcountry. Working for five months in the Big Basin and Inyo Wilderness, he fell in love with all things trails! Now he’s even got a job doing trail work in Grand Canyon National Park.
“My favorite memory was the people I met along the way,” Kai said about his Path to Success. “It was an unparalleled feeling to grow together with close friends and witness each other’s transformations in real time.”
Kai Cortez
Alejandro Santiago
Trail Worker
National Park Service
To say CCC Pomona’s Alejandro Santiago loved his five months living and working in the CCC Backcountry Trails Program might be an understatement. He enjoyed the experience so much, he’s kind of doing it again.
This time though he’s working for the National Park Service in Yosemite as a project sponsor as an NPS trail worker. Alejandro called Backcountry the biggest challenge he overcame in his 18 months in the CCC. While working in the rain with the Forestry Corps is a memory he’ll never forget, putting in the hard work in Backcountry motivated him to take this next career step.
“The CCC is a steppingstone for your future,” Alejandro says. “Use the time to pursue goals that will get you a job that you love.” Safe to say that’s what Alejandro did.
Alejandro Santiago
Wildland Firefighting Careers
CAL FIRE: Firefighter 1
Job Description: Firefighter I is a seasonal, temporary classification used by CAL FIRE. As a member of a fire crew, a Fire Fighter I fights wildland, rural, and structural fires and responds to various other emergency situations including medical emergencies. Additional responsibilities include repairing equipment and general station housekeeping.
Qualifications: Ability to: Do heavy physical work; exercise good judgment in hazardous fire suppression activity; accept and benefit from training in fire suppression work and techniques; follow directions; work safely with others; live in a fire station compatibly with others; respond quickly to oral commands or signals in emergency situations. Serving on a CCC wildland firefighting hand crew can make you a competitive candidate for this position.
Learn more about the Firefighter 1 position and take a look at CAL FIRE’s Firefighter 1 Webpage.
Additional Wildland Firefighting Careers
CCC Corpsmembers have gone on to a variety of careers with private fire companies, local and regional fire departments, and federal agencies including the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Path To Success
View CCC Alumni who have launched careers in the fire service.
Zachary Masters
Firefighter 1
CAL FIRE
“I started in the CCC just following others,” said Zachary Masters. “Over time, with help from (the program), I grew into a crew lead.”
Talk about growth! When he joined the CCC Tahoe fire crew, Zachary had no prior firefighting experience. But, he most definitely had the skills needed to succeed as Zachary stated he was a “quick learner, great listener, and hard worker.”
And from there he was on his CCC Path to Success. His favorite memory being in the CCC, “Fire season was exciting, going out of county for extended periods of time with my crew.” Now, he’s continuing to serve his community as a wildland firefighter with CAL FIRE.
Zachary Masters
Antonio Gonzales
Firefighter
U.S. Forest Service – Mill Creek Hotshots
Antonio Gonzales earned his fair share of industry-recognized certifications, and most importantly, at the CCC Inland Empire Center he was able to complete his high school diploma.
“The CCC built me up for a career, not just another job,” Antonio said. His growth goes beyond the pages of his resume. “The program built up my leadership skills and helped me take accountability,” Antonio reflected.
He’s continuing to move forward on his CCC Path to Success, fighting wildfires with the U.S. Forest Service’s Mill Creek Hotshots in the San Bernardino National Forest.
Antonio Gonzales
Jesus Molina
Firefighter 1
CAL FIRE
Before Jesus Molina joined the CCC Los Padres Center with the goal of becoming a wildland firefighter. In the program, he learned first-hand what it takes to protect communities from catastrophic fire.
“The CCC prepared my head and body for the job, so I’m ready to work in any condition,” said Jesus. “The program built me to do the job I have today and I’m very grateful for it.”
He’s still rolling to fires, but instead of his CCC crew, Jesus is now part of CAL FIRE!
Jesus Molina
Ask Us Anything
Talk to A Recruiter
Do Corpsmembers earn civil service credit?
However, enrollment in the CCC can benefit Corpsmembers who seek to join the ranks of California civil service.
Per California Government Code 18951.5(a), a Corpsmember who earns a one-year completion certificate from the CCC is eligible to receive three career credits added to their score for California civil service employment exams held on an open, non-promotional basis.
Eligibility for career credits pursuant to this section shall expire 24 months after leaving the California Conservation Corps. Those who earn a CCC scholarship will have eligibility for career credits for up to five years after successfully completing the program.
If I start in the CCC on one pathway am I able to change?
Do I have access to the Career Navigators after I leave the CCC?
What if I don't know what I want to do?
We’ve had Corpsmembers enroll to join the culinary program who end up trying their hand at being a wildland firefighter. The CCC wants you to find your pathway, even if it you don’t end up working in natural resources or for the state.