Position Title: Durham Youth Crew Member
Site Location: North Durham, NC
Starting Salary: $15/hour
Terms of Service: June 16th- July 3rd

TO BE CONSIDERED, APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY MAY 12TH.

Purpose:

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 15-30) 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.

Description of Duties:

The Youth Crew Member position is an entry-level role, prior experience with the outdoors and outdoor work can be helpful but is not a requirement for this position. The crew will consist of 6 youth crew members, ages 15-18, and 2 crew leaders. The Durham Youth Crew will partner with Urban Community Agrinomics (UCAN) to complete trail maintenance and construction, habitat restoration, forestry, and garden improvement projects. This program focuses on engaging local youth in meaningful learning and service opportunities. We ask that crew members embrace learning opportunities, face challenges, and build community with their crew.

Members will work 8-hour days, Monday-Friday. Each day will consist of two fifteen-minute breaks and a half an hour lunch break. CCNC is an independent, non-residential program, meaning members must be picked up and dropped off from the work site.

Schedule:

This crew will run June 16th-July 3rd. The crew will complete conservation service projects in the field 8-hours a day, Monday-Friday and return home each evening. Crew members have Saturday and Sunday off. Members will meet at Catawba Trail Farm; this is the location where members will be dropped off and picked up each workday. Members are allowed to drive themselves to the work site, provided they have a valid driver’s license.

Expectations:

Participants will be required to pack their own lunches. They are asked to supply as much personal equipment as possible. A gear list will be provided on acceptance to the program, but it does include sturdy footwear and work pants. Uniform shirts and personal protective equipment, including hard hats, gloves, eyewear, and ear protection will be provided by CCNC. Some equipment is available to be loaned out for the season, such as backpacks, rain jackets, and other essential work gear.

Crew members must be willing to work under the leadership of their crew leaders, be on-time each day, perform hard physical labor throughout the summer season in a variety of weather conditions, wear a uniform and personal protective equipment every day, and participate in group activities and end of the day debriefs. Getting dirty, hot, and sweaty are norms for the program. Along with technical skills, crew members will participate in education days to make the work meaningful and promote environmental stewardship. They will also learn effective communication, leadership skills, how to work in a team, work ethic, and the importance of civic engagement.

Once Crew Members are selected and prior to their start date, they are required to complete an online enrollment process that includes completing e-forms, uploading IDs, and, for those 18 and older, 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.

Essential Responsibilities and Functions:

Safety: Perform work with an unwavering commitment to safety in every aspect of the crew’s work. Effectively perceive, understand, and follow directions to manage hazards. Communicate ideas and concerns as they arise directly to supervisors and organization staff.

Fitness: Willing to perform manual labor related to environmental conservation and restoration projects; work long days outdoors in all types of weather. May be required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl on an infrequent basis.

Commitment: Members must make a strong commitment to complete all aspects of the program including conservation projects, education training, and group debriefs.

Teamwork: 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.

Technology: The use of technology, including cell phones, is not allowed during work hours.

Professionalism: Members must be willing to appropriately represent the CCNC program. They must also be willing to contribute to a safe learning environment; no harassment of others for any reason.

Substance Free: In accordance with a drug free workplace, alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in program activities and while on organization property.

Qualifications:

• Resident of Durham County.

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien.

• Must be willing and able to work in an outdoor environment.

• Current high school student (or equivalent) or recent graduate.

• Must be between the ages of 15 and 18. You must be 15 years of age or older prior to the start of the program and cannot turn 19 years old before the end of the program.

• Members age 18 must agree to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.

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 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. 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.

Benefits:

• Paid $15 per hour

• 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

• On-the-job training provided

• Assistance may be available for getting Crew Members the outdoor gear needed to participate.

• Professional development opportunities (mentorship, resume support, alumni listserv, etc.)

• Exposure to natural resource career paths and opportunities

Supervisor Name and Contact Information:

Conservation Corps North Carolina Contact information:

Jackie Meyer, Youth Program Coordinator, & Diquan Edmonds, Program Director

jmeyer@conservationlegacy.org & dedmonds@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.