Forest Corps Discussion by

skumagai1 — 2024-09-04 21:00:10 UTC

What are our threats to success in getting Cohort #1 successfully to graduation with opportunities to support USFS staffing goals post-service?

And who does what to make that happen?

skumagai1 — 2024-09-04 21:02:33 UTC

What has gone well thus far for Cohort 1 that has us on track for success?

Have we learned anything that needs to be codified or institutionalized for ongoing success?

2024-09-05 15:15:21 UTC

First cohort of Forest Corps Team Leaders seem very strong, comfortable with the nature of a start-up, and inspired to have a chance to be "founders" of the program.

tgipsonnahman — 2024-09-05 15:15:32 UTC

USFS Supervisor support to teams, on the whole, has been very positive. This was a concern based on initial responses during project development/outreach, but USFS staff have found a way.

2024-09-05 15:16:29 UTC

corps members are working hard and staying the course on a very outdoor rigorous program

2024-09-05 15:16:37 UTC

Procurement vehicles for Forest Corps equipment were put in place quickly and equipment was delivered on time. BPAs were set up to make future purchases easy.

2024-09-05 15:16:57 UTC

The USFS HQ partnership office staff are a solution focused set of partners. NCCC has seen situations where that is not always the case. We do not take it for granted.

2024-09-05 15:17:55 UTC

continuing to have meaningful project engagement at local units, capacity to integrate teams

tgipsonnahman — 2024-09-05 15:17:59 UTC

While touch and go for a little bit, we were able to secure in-person training for most all of the USFS certifications and topics that we had hoped to do initially.

2024-09-05 15:18:04 UTC

High adaptability of NCCC and FS staff, team leaders, to changing circumstances and unexpected challenges (fires, housing snafus)

skumagai1 — 2024-09-05 15:18:08 UTC

RE: post-service staffing

Need to learn what the hiring options/pathways are available to FoCo grads.
Need to develop ways to educate FoCo grads on those pathways and, as necessary, federal resume writing.

2024-09-05 15:18:14 UTC

The initial set of host forests seem to be highly invested in the concept of the teams/members as their "future workforce". FEMA viewed this as a threat. Host forests seem to view this as an asset.

2024-09-05 15:18:51 UTC

Nicolette

Drive times, supervisor support, and diversity of work were our 3 big initial concerns with project development. I have yet to hear of a project where any of these three have become a major issue for round 1 projects.

hellerginelle — 2024-09-05 15:18:52 UTC

We have retained all corps members since leaving training. That is HUGE and shocking. Corps members have expressed happiness in their placements.

2024-09-05 15:19:04 UTC

Sufficient quality Round 3 projects.

2024-09-05 15:20:07 UTC

Productive troubleshooting by USFS and NCCC and the spirit of how to get to yes, when feasible.

2024-09-05 15:20:35 UTC

USFS hiring freeze-- though fire positions seem to be abundant, wondering how this will impact the retention of these young people after graduation.

skumagai1 — 2024-09-05 15:21:16 UTC

Codify: When developing sites, need to include questions about the specific kind of tools (shovels!!) that are needed for each forest.

tgipsonnahman — 2024-09-05 15:21:23 UTC

Ensuring that members graduate from the program vs leaving early to get jobs with USFS. Hopefully timing of hiring season and program year will encourage members to complete the program.

hellerginelle — 2024-09-05 15:21:25 UTC

A big threat to success is that they will find another job or opportunity. Reemphasizing the benefits of the experience (work experience, networking, education award, etc.) may help.

2024-09-05 15:21:26 UTC

Lack of clear employment/preferential hiring status for Forest Corps could pose a threat to meeting USFS' hiring goals for the program.

2024-09-05 15:21:36 UTC

Co-developed processes and tools for project development that can be further refined in Year 2 (delineate roles, shared priorities and ranking criteria for vetting projects, outreach materials and webinars)

2024-09-05 15:21:43 UTC

wildfires disrupting plans

2024-09-05 15:22:52 UTC

Haven't heard any Team Leader or member complain about the work, so I think we did a good job of matching up expectations around work between recruitment and on-the-ground reality (not always the case with NCCC!)

2024-09-05 15:23:00 UTC

Building relationships with sponsor/host units in year 1, working through housing challenges and project logistics together

2024-09-05 15:23:02 UTC

Can we successfully manage staff turnovers at USFS HQ and NCCC Pacific Region and HQ when they occur?

tgipsonnahman — 2024-09-05 15:23:08 UTC

Purchasing the correct supplies and gear has proven to be a challenge. How do we ensure that we're being efficient with our funds, knowing that we've already spent more than what was initially budgeted.

tgipsonnahman — 2024-09-05 15:28:14 UTC

For Cohort #1, ensuring there are enough quality projects for Round 3 (all winter Round)

2024-09-05 15:28:32 UTC

recruitment - 800 applicants for 80 positions

tgipsonnahman — 2024-09-05 15:29:38 UTC

Housing. Lots of troubleshooting and scrambling the first round to make it happen. How do we make it a smoother and less painful process in the future?

2024-09-05 15:33:05 UTC

Indicators are that there is sufficient food/living allowance, although this is still TBD for California projects.

tgipsonnahman — 2024-09-05 15:37:45 UTC

Coordination and collaboration on outreach webinars between USFS and NCCC staff

2024-09-05 15:38:27 UTC

continuous relationship building on all levels with USFS & AmeriCorps as this grows and so many new staff each year of the program

2024-09-05 15:42:03 UTC

Tanya recently learned at Tahoe National Forest does an annual planning process. They noted that Forest Corps should be at the table because if they knew there was a steady stream of human power on the horizon, they could modify/increase their work goals. Similarly, knowing teams in are coming further in advance could help the host forests find housing with more lead time. I am out of my lane and depth of knowledge, but wonder if USFS partners see an opportunity here going forward.

2024-09-05 15:44:13 UTC

Equipment/supplies. We purchased some things that have proven not to be the right ones.

2024-09-05 15:58:23 UTC

The next "AD status" curveball.