Title: Advanced Trails Conservation Assistant Crew Leader

Location: Based out of Bahama, NC but will be camping and working on various locations across North Carolina.

Season Dates: Early August – November 1st, 2023

Status: Full-time, seasonal 450-hour AmeriCorps National Service position

Compensation: $650/week, paid biweekly, including an $1,718.25 Segal Education Award upon completion of program.

Hitch Schedule: 9 days on, 5 days off

Questions? Contact Mallory James mjames@conservationlegacy.org

**To be considered, you must upload a resume in addition to your application**

Conservation Corps North Carolina:

The mission of 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 18-30) to complete challenging and impactful conservation service projects throughout the region. Projects may include trail construction & maintenance, habitat improvement, hazard fuel reduction, and ecological restoration. Crews may also complete technical and/or specialized projects depending on project partner needs, including disaster relief if the opportunity arises.

Position Summary:

This crew is an exciting opportunity to get technical trail building and maintenance experience. The crew will build brand new trail with three different project partners across North Carolina on rugged terrain where the trail must be able to weather high amounts of foot traffic and rainfall. One season of trails, rock work or grip hoist experience is preferred for this position.

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 term.

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.

ACLs are asked to work hard, stay positive, and be flexible with changing schedules, weather conditions, and project needs. This is a seasonal position; ACLs are asked to fully commit to the experience, expectations, and timeline.

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.

Project Work:

This crew will work with three different project partners including Conservation Trust for North Carolina, Carolina Climbers Coalitions with The Access Fund and a local conservation cemetery called Bluestem. Each project will include rugged trail work including trail construction, drain construction, and general maintenance.

The Asutsi Trail is along the Blue Ridge Parkway near the Grandfather Mountain area. The crew will be working on improving the trail in this high usage area. This will include potential trail structures and large, sustainable drainage solutions.

Table Rock State Park is a fantastic rock-climbing destination. The crew will be improving access and reducing impact on the area by creating a trail to rock-climbing areas. The trail is on very steep, rugged terrain. This project will include rock work and use of a grip hoist to move large rocks. This project will require dispersed camping near the worksite. The crew will need to hike in crew camp gear and food and replenish water regularly.

Bluestem is an 87-acre conservation cemetery in Cedar Grove, NC. Bluestem strives to create a reverent place for sustainable burial that ensures healthy wildlife corridors and protects important stream corridors. The crew will be constructing brand new hiking trails on Bluestem property for guests. The crew will be separate from Bluestem’s daily business. The crew will be separate from Bluestem’s daily business. Applicants should note that working in a cemetery may be triggering and/or bring up sensitive experiences. Therefore, applicants must be self-aware enough to know whether this position is suitable for them before accepting a position with CCNC.

The projects are extremely arduous and require traversing very challenging terrain; project work requires a high level of physical fitness of participants.

Schedule and Crew Life:

CCNC field crews consist of 4 crew members and 2 crew leaders who 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 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.

CCNC supports a culture of feedback and growth. Crew Members and Assistant Crew Leaders will set goals at the beginning of the season and review their performance through both self-evaluation and a review with their Crew Leader in the middle and at the end of their season. Evaluations will cover topic areas including Professionalism, Responsibility, Leadership, Communication, Community Engagement, Project Work, Safety, Organization, and Equipment. Crew Members will also be asked to evaluate their Crew Leaders’ performance, the overall program, and their experience at the end of their term.

Expectations:

• CCNC is an independent, non-residential program. Crew Leaders are responsible for their own housing, food, and transportation when not in the field unless otherwise specified.
• Crew Leaders must supply their own personal outdoor gear and equipment such as a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, day pack, multi-day pack, work pants, hiking/work boots, etc. Some materials can be borrowed from CCNC; however, needs must be discussed prior to start date.
• CCNC will provide group camp equipment, tools, protective gear and transportation between Camp Slocum and project sites.

• This is a seasonal position; Crew Leaders are asked to fully commit to the experience, expectations, and
• While serving a term of National Service, CCNC crews are expected to work in diverse team settings. Respect for all members of the program, our partners, the public and the land they are visiting is expected. Crew Leaders are expected to uphold/showcase this standard.

Benefits:

• $650/week living stipend, paid bi-weekly
• AmeriCorps Segal Education Award upon successful completion of service term (can be used for paying off federal student loans or paying tuition for a Title IV accredited college)
• Wilderness First Aid Training
• On-the-job rigging and grip hoist training
• Members 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
• Leadership-focused, on-the-job training
• Depending upon the academic institution and program, Crew Member positions may fulfill internship requirements
• Professional development opportunities (mentorship, resume support, alumni listserv, etc.)
• Exposure to natural resource career paths and opportunities

Required Skills:

Minimum Qualifications:

• At least one season of trails or corps experience
• Willingness to commit fully to the program and its mission
• Physically fit and able to work long days in adverse conditions
• Must be able to demonstrate strong project management skills
• Strong time-management skills and ability to work independently as well as with others
• Flexibility, adaptability, and capacity to work in a fluid, changing work environment
• Willingness to learn and be a part of a dynamic community of peer leaders
• Must be adaptive, patient, and able to maintain a positive perspective throughout
• Experience with backpacking, wilderness living and travel, and LNT principles
• Must be 21+, OR have a clean driving record for 3+years (insurable by CCNC) and a current driver’s license

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with backcountry camping/backpacking
• Technical trail construction and maintenance experience
• 0.5-1 years’ experience with CCNC, other conservation corps or youth corps
• Background with experiential and/or environmental education
• Current and relevant certification in Wilderness Medicine (WFA, WAFA, WFR) with CPR/AED
• Leadership experience with youth or young adults
• Desire to work on a variety of conservation-based projects
• Strong conflict resolution skills
• Relevant Bachelor’s Degree
• Sense of humor, spirit of adventure, and desire to make a positive difference and promote leadership in others

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, including service days in local communities where applicable.
• Effectively communicate ideas and concerns as they arise directly to supervisors, colleagues, and organization staff.
• Have the cognitive ability to learn necessary skills and apply them to effectively carry out the service work requirements
• Appropriately always represent the Program and AmeriCorps to the public and project partners.

Safety and Judgment:

• Effectively communicate danger to others in the form of either a warning of danger others may be encountering or a notification of personal distress, injury or need for assistance. You must be able to do so at a distance of up to 50 meters and in conditions with limited visibility or loud background noise such as darkness or high winds.
• Effectively perceive, understand, and follow direction by others so that you will be able to successfully execute appropriate and perhaps unfamiliar techniques to manage hazards. These directions may be given before the hazard is encountered or may need to be given during exposure to the hazard.
• Stay alert and focused for several hours at a time while traveling and working in varied weather conditions
• Perceive and comprehend significant and apparent hazards, including those hazards previously identified by others.
• 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.

Environmental Ethics:

• Learn and practice ‘Leave no Trace’ techniques
• Learn and safely perform fundamental outdoor living/travel and work skills as appropriate to the project. Additionally, remain adequately hydrated, fed, and properly dressed so as to remain generally healthy and safe, avoiding environmental injuries.
• Live in a physically demanding, possibly remote environment for an uninterrupted period of up to several weeks. Conditions of this environment may vary significantly and may include severe and/or trying weather. The remoteness is such that it may require at a minimum one hour, but perhaps in excess of 12 hours, to reach the nearest advanced medical care.

This program is available to all eligible applicants, without regard to race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, political affiliation, sexual orientation or religion.

To Apply: Complete the Application, and upload resume. Cover letter is optional.

Any questions can be addressed to:

Mallory James: Crew Program Coordinator Email: mjames@conservationlegacy.org

**To be considered, you must upload a resume in addition to your application**

"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. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, political affiliation, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, 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 a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager."