Position Title: Crew Member: Assistant Youth Crew Leader – Western North Carolina– AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Conservation Corps North Carolina

Site Location: Pisgah National Forest- Appalachian and Grandfather districts, US Forest Service

Terms of Service:

• Start Date: June 2nd, 2025
• Training: June 2nd-June 13th, 2025
• End Date:  August 2nd, 2025
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 300hrs

Priority Application Date: March 31st, 2025 

To be considered, a resume MUST be attached to the application. Submitting a cover letter is optional. 

Purpose:

The mission of the Conservation Corps North Carolina (CCNC) is to empower young adults through meaningful outdoor work that benefits North Carolina’s land and water and creates healthy communities.    

CCNC is a program of Conservation Legacy that partners with public land managers in North Carolina to engage motivated young adults, ages 15-30, to complete challenging and impactful conservation service projects throughout the state.   

Description of Duties:

CCNC’s Youth ACL’s assist in leading, managing, and supervising youth crews, ages 15-18, that are made up of 6 members, one crew leader, and one ACL. ACLs are primarily responsible for facilitating a positive Crew Member experience.  The ACL is a full partner in the crew’s leadership, helping to communicate directions, projects specifications and constructive criticism throughout the session.  This position requires open dialog with the Staff Crew Leader; helping them to manage projects, project partners communications, overall logistics, and crew assignments.   

It means more than just showing up and doing the work, ACLs set an example of how to work hard with great enthusiasm through all kinds of conditions while practicing good judgement and safety. It means facilitating learning experience for Crew Members, both formally and informally.  This position may require additional participation time outside of standard project and crew hours.   

During their time in the field, CCNC youth crews work outdoors in all types of weather conditions, performing heavy manual labor related to environmental conservation and restoration projects. These hands-on projects include visitor access improvements, trail construction and maintenance, habitat restoration, invasive species treatments, and much more.   

ACLs are asked to work hard, stay positive, and be flexible with changing schedules, weather conditions, and project needs. They also need to be prepared to work with youth participants and the specific challenges that come with the age range. This is a seasonal position; ACLs are asked to fully commit to the experience, expectations, and timeline.   

Expectations:

Schedule and Camp Life: 

This position is a result of a partnership between CCNC and the US Forest Service. The ACL will lead two sessions of youth crews. Each session will be three weeks and made up of 6 youth members. The crew works 8-hour days, Monday- Friday, and are off Saturday and Sunday. There will be a week break between the different sessions. The schedule for the summer will be as follows: 

June 2nd-June 13th: Training (location TBD) 
June 16th-July 3rd: Old Fort Crew 
July 4th- July 11th: Week off 
July 14th- August 1st: Overmountain Victory Trail Crew 

During session I, the crew will work in Old Fort, NC. The Old Fort crew will be working with the Forest Service completing trail work. This session does not require camping with participants, CCNC will supply housing where we expect leaders to live for the duration of the season. The Assistant Crew Lead may bring their personal vehicle to the housing site, but they cannot drive it during the workday, only after work hours and the weekends. The lead is expected to purchase their own food the first session, a full kitchen will be available for use.  

There will be a week-long break between two sessions. When work resumes, the leaders will transition to working in the Appalachian Ranger District National Forest and complete field-based manual labor, which can include trail maintenance and construction, habitat restoration, sign installation, and other improvement projects. This crew will be camping at Roan Mountain State Park. The Assistant Crew Lead will camp with the crew at a group campsite. Both Crew Leaders are expected to be with the crew AT ALL TIMES, including weekends. A van will be provided to transport the crew, both during work and after hours. The crew lead will be given a grocery budget and expected to do the grocery shopping for the crew for the entire program. There will be plenty of storage space for frozen, perishable, and dry food.  The Crew Lead may bring their personal vehicle to the project site, but they cannot be used during either session, only after the session.  

Some equipment is available to borrow throughout the season, but ACLs are asked to supply as much of their own personal gear (day pack, work pants, hiking/work boots, etc) as possible. A gear list is provided upon acceptance into the program. 

Assistant Crew Leader (ACL) Responsibilities  

Project Management & Implementation     

• Train and motivate a crew of six youth participants (ages 15-18) to complete conservation projects efficiently on public lands.     
• Delegate project work & investment among ACL and crew.     
• Manage on-the-ground quality and quantity of project work.     
• Think critically to resolve issues and solve problems.   
• Demonstrate and support a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion.    
• Communicate effectively & coordinate logistics with project partners, staff crew leader, members, and CCNC staff.     

Safety & Risk Management     

• Monitor, manage, and promote the crew’s physical and emotional safety on and off the work site.     
• Exhibit strong situational awareness & promote a culture of safety.     
• Transport crew and equipment safely in CCNC’s vans or large vehicles with trailers.     

 Administration      

• Manage crew medical history forms and incident documentation in conjunction with the staff crew leader.    

Once selected and prior to their start date, ACLs are required to complete an online enrollment process that includes completing e-forms, uploading IDs, enrolling with AmeriCorps, and beginning their background check process. For those with limited access to online platforms, accommodations may be available and can be discussed during the interview process.   

Qualifications:

• Be between the ages of 18 and 30 (exception for veterans up to age 35)    
• Have US Citizenship or Legal Permanent Residency status.    
• Have a high school diploma or GED.   
• Pass background checks: all offers of positions are conditional upon completion of an acceptable check of the National Sex Offender Public Registry and Federal and/or State criminal background check.   
• Must be eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award (individuals are eligible if they have not already completed 2 full years of AmeriCorps service, or 4 AmeriCorps service terms, whichever comes first – please contact us if you are unsure of your eligibility)   

Minimum Qualifications    

• Physically fit and able to work long days in adverse conditions.    
• High School diploma or GED certificate.    
• Must have a clean driving record (insurable by CCNC) and a current driver’s license.    
• Current CPR/AED certificate  

Preferred Qualifications     

• Experience with CCNC or another Conservation Corps.    
• Technical trail building and maintenance experience.    
• Background with experiential and/ or environmental education.     
• Facilitation and team-building experience with diverse groups of people.     
• Strong conflict resolution skills.    

Participant Essential Eligibility Requirements    

Essential eligibility requirements for the program must be met. If you are unable to meet certain requirements, we may be able to assist you with some modification unless it alters the fundamental nature of the program, compromises the health and safety of participants or staff, or places an undue financial or administrative burden on the organization. These requirements are written the same for all positions and therefore may not apply directly to your position.    

Participation and Expedition Behavior    

• Work effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions. This may require problem solving on an interpersonal or group level as well as a willingness to accept differences.    
• Contribute to a safe learning environment, no harassment of others for any reason.    
• Willingness and ability to complete all aspects of the program including conservation projects, education, training, and national service. Members must commit to participating in all crew/team activities.  
• Effectively communicate ideas and concerns as they arise.  
• Have the cognitive ability to learn necessary skills and apply them to effectively carry out the service work requirements    
• Appropriately represent the Program and AmeriCorps to the public and project partners.    

 Safety and Judgment    

• Effectively perceive, understand, and follow directions to manage hazards.   
• Stay alert and focused for several hours at a time while traveling and working in varied weather conditions      
• Respond appropriately to stress or crises.    

If taking prescription medications, participants must be able to maintain proper dosage by self-medicating without assistance from others.    
 
Physical Requirements: 

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential functions. Some positions may require periodic overnight travel, non-traditional hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager. 

Time Requirements: 

• Typically, this position is expected to serve Monday to Friday, but exact service schedules may vary. A half hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service 
• This is a seasonal position; Crew Leaders are asked to fully commit to the experience, expectations, and timeline.  

Orientation and Training: 

• Crew Leaders will be trained June 2nd – June 13th (Monday through Friday) prior to crew’s start date. 

Benefits  

• $650/week ($530 Living Allowance, $120 extra benefits) 
• AmeriCorps Segal Education Award upon successful completion of service term   
• ACLs may be eligible for student loan forbearance   
• Member Assistance Program – 3 free sessions of support with a counseling or work-life balance specialist  
• Uniform shirts, helmet, work gloves, eye protection, and other necessary safety equipment is provided  
• Depending upon the academic institution and program, ACL positions may fulfill internship requirements   
• Professional development opportunities  
• Exposure to natural resource career paths and opportunities  

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodations due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.