Title: Crew Member - Indigenous Conservation Corps Vegetation Management Strike Team (Non-AC)

Location: Murphy, NC

Status: Full-time, Seasonal

Start Date: January 26th 2026

End Date: May 29th 2026

Pay: $720 per week ($600 Living Allowance, $120 additional benefit)

Questions? Contact: mzouhri@conservationlegacy.org

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’s Indigenous Conservation Corps (ICC) Programming, in partnership with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) Department of Agricultural & Natural Resources and the US Forest Service is dedicated to preserving and fostering generational stewardship through including traditional ecological knowledge. By engaging young tribal members, ages 15-30, in impactful conservation service projects, the program not only addresses the immediate needs of the land but also builds a diverse and resilient workforce to continue the stewardship legacy for the Cherokee community and beyond.

Project Work:

The Indigenous Conservation Corps Vegetation Management Strike Team will primarily serve in the Nantahala National Forest on the Cheoah/Tusquitee Ranger District in Murphy, NC. This three-person team primarily focuses on vegetation management. This could include using chainsaws to cut invasive plant species, manually pulling invasive plant species, applying herbicides to target invasive plants, brush cutting, tree planting, and other Forest Management practices relating to the continuing health of the ecosystem and native flora and fauna. During their time in the field, Crew Members are expected to work outdoors in all types of weather conditions, performing heavy manual labor related to environmental conservation and restoration projects. Most projects require hiking out to remote work sites for the day with tools, equipment, and a backpack.

Schedule and Crew Life:

This ICC Crew will consist of 2 crew members and 1 crew leader who provide project expertise, mentorship, training, and support for the success of all participants. The crew typically reports to Murphy, NC to begin project work. The day starts with a stretch circle and safety meeting and includes two fifteen-minute breaks and a half-hour break for lunch. There may be projects that require overnight stays – in which case housing or camping will be provided. When on overnight projects, crews work together to plan meals and complete all necessary chores (cooking, washing dishes, etc).

CCNC supports a culture of feedback and growth. Crew Members 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:

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

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, 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.

Members may receive recertification and training in USFS Chainsaw (S212), Wilderness First Aid, USFS Crosscut, Red Card (S130/S190).

Benefits:

· $720 per week ($600 Living Allowance, $120 additional benefit)

· Accrue hours towards the Public Land Corps Certificate that offers a hiring authority when applying for future federal positions

· 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

· Assistance is available for getting Crew Members the outdoor gear needed to participate

· 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

General Qualifications:

· Be between the ages of 18 and 30 (except 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

· No previous experience is required, but a general comfort and previous knowledge of working/living in an outdoor setting is helpful.

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

· CCNC expects all members to always represent the program in a professional manner. Members are expected to be timely, hardworking, flexible, and complete all functions of the tasks assigned, including tough physical labor, and hiking several miles to remote locations under adverse weather conditions.

· 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 difference.

· 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.

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.

Outdoor Skills and Fitness (where appropriate)

· Learn and safely perform fundamental outdoor living/travel and work skills as appropriate to the project. Additionally, remain adequately hydrated, fed, and properly dressed 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 more than 12 hours, to reach the nearest advanced medical care.

Questions? Contact: mzouhri@conservationlegacy.org

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

Substance Free

In accordance with a drug free workplace, alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in AmeriCorps and program activities and while on organization

"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."