Position Title: Climate Impact Mitigation Chainsaw Crew Member – AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Conservation Corps North Carolina

Site Location:  North Carolina State University Hill Research Forest, Camp Slocum, 918 State Forest Road, Bahama, North Carolina 27503 

Terms of Service:

• Start Date: ASAP
• End Date: 03/19/2025
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 300 Hours/8 Weeks; Full Time 40 hrs/week

Purpose:

For this exciting AmeriCorps opportunity, we are recruiting AmeriCorps crew members to join us on two separate saw crews – each comprised of 1 CCNC staff Crew Leader, 1 AmeriCorps Assistant Crew Leader, and 4 AmeriCorps Members. This is a great chance to gain experience working with either the National Park Service, or US Forest Service.  

Description of Duties:

The National Parks Service (NPS) Outer Banks Group crew will address critical deferred maintenance needs resulting from climate impacts across the Outer Banks Group including hazard tree mitigation, facilities repairs, and vegetation management. Work will occur at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site and the Wright Brothers National Memorial. Additionally, the crew will support other priority projects as identified by NPS staff as needed based on weather and other factors.   

The US Forest Service Croatan National Forest crew project work will include a variety of technical chainsaw work to complete timber stand improvement, fuels reduction, hazard tree removal, and forest health improvement projects.  

Both crews will use power tools including brush cutters and chainsaws. Crew members should expect to work on rugged terrain in inclement weather with technical, advanced cutting operations. The work will be arduous and fast-paced in areas of high exposure. 

The crew will be composed of 1 CCNC staff Crew Leader, 1 AmeriCorps Assistant Crew Leader, and 4 AmeriCorps Members. The Crew Leader and Assistant Crew Leader will provide project expertise, mentorship, training, and support for the success of all participants. Field Crews will meet at Camp Slocum (located north of Durham, NC), travel in a crew vehicle to their project site and remain in the field for 9 days at a time, followed by 5 days off. While in the field, Crew Members work 8-10 hours a day. Each workday includes two fifteen-minute breaks and a half-hour lunch break.  Food is provided while in the field. Crews work together to plan meals and complete all necessary chores. We can accommodate most dietary restrictions. Camp chores will be completed every evening, with many evenings including group discussions on conservation topics. 

Qualifications:

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
• At least 17 years of age
• Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of elementary or secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant, and agrees to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History 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) 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Previous corps or crew experience
• Chainsaw experience
• Experience with camping/backpacking
• Wilderness First Aid certification or higher
• Adaptability
• Professionalism
• Community-Building ethic

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
• Member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.

Orientation and Training:

• Member will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
• The program will begin an intensive two to three weeks of training focused on certifications and outdoor leadership skills.  Informal training will continue throughout the term with on-the-ground skills training that will include things like tool maintenance, plant identification, and an overview of public land management agencies. Formal certifications are awarded at the end of the season. 

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $1,565.08
• Living Allowance of $600 per week ($480/wk for stipend and $120 for housing).
• Loan forbearance if Eligible
• Interest Payments if Eligible

Evaluation and Reporting:

As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of hours, the member has satisfactorily completed assignments, and if the member has met other performance criteria that were clearly communicated at the beginning of the term of service.

Reporting requirements include, but are not limited to, bi-weekly timesheets and accomplishment tracking.

Supervisor Name and Contact Information:

Stephanie Dunton

Recruitment and Member Support Coordinator

Contact information: sdunton@conservationlegacy.org

Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to hiring a breadth of diverse professionals and encourage members of diverse groups to apply. This program is available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, marital or parental status, genetic information, and military service. Where a significant portion of the population eligible to be served needs services or information in a language other than English, the recipient shall take reasonable steps to provide written material of the type ordinarily available to the public in appropriate languages.

We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with AmeriCorps requirements. 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.