NORTH CAROLINA — Oconaluftee Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center’s most recent graduation marked a promising milestone for its advanced forestry program. Since assuming leadership of Oconaluftee Job Corps CCC Advance Forestry program in late 2022, Instructor Tavaris Evans has been excelling in training his students for careers in conservation.

Since late 2022, six students have graduated from the advanced forestry program and the three advanced forestry graduates. Out of the six graduates, four have accepted job offers from Forest Service units while one chose to join the California Conservation Corps. Another recent graduate will be submitting applications to the agency in the near future.  

Ero Moya enrolled after completing the Inland Empire Job Corps’ landscaping trade. As part of the advanced forestry training program, she completed USDA Forest Service Forest Inventory & Analysis plot survey and urban forestry training before accepting a forestry technician position with the Southern Region’s Timber Strike Team.

Dwayne Smith received his certification in urban forestry from Great Onyx Job Corps CCC before enrolling in advanced forestry. He completed multiple wildland fire and camp crew assignments throughout the country, with stops in Oregon, Florida and North Carolina before traveling to the Big Piney Ranger District on the Ozark National Forest to begin his work as a forestry aide.

Hannah Davis completed Oconaluftee’s forestry conservation and wildland firefighting program before enrolling in Oconaluftee’s advanced forestry program. After an eight-week work-based learning detail with the Eastern Region’s Timber Strike Team she was she was picked up as a permanent member of the team.

Oconaluftee’s forestry program has been just as successful in placing graduates. Alexander, “Xander” Mercer (Xander) earned his Firefighter, Type 2 certification, Wildland Chainsaw, and Off-Road Driving training while enrolled in Forestry Conservation & Wildland Firefighting program. Mercer completed a work-based learning assignment as a timber marker/cruiser on the Reserve Ranger District of the Gila National Forest where his super job performance led to a career position as a forestry technician in timber sales preparation.

Forestry Conservation and Firefighting graduate Montel Filmore earned his Firefighter Type 2 credential, chainsaw certification, off-road driving training and first Aid/CPR certificates while enrolled. After completing a work-based learning detail on the St. Ignace Ranger District—where he worked in a variety of program areas including timber management, recreation and trails maintenance—he accepted a career position with the Hiawatha as a forestry technician.

Oconaluftee Job Corps forestry instructors are proud of these graduates They are eager to observe their accomplishments as they pursue careers that directly support the agency’s out-come oriented goal of delivering benefits to the public while sustaining our nation’s forests and grasslands. The public is invited to attend Oconaluftee Job Corps Open house on Aug. 9, 2024, in celebration of Job Corps 60th anniversary.