Helene Recovery Trail Crew Member-AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy
Position Title: Helene Recovery Trail Crew Member – AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Conservation Corps North Carolina
Site Location: Based out of Old Fort, North Carolina with service projects in the Grandfather Ranger District
Terms of Service:
- Start Date: 01/27/2026
- End Date: 04/29/2026
- AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 450 Hours
Purpose:
The mission of Conservation Corps North Carolina (CCNC) as an AmeriCorps program 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.
This AmeriCorps position will directly support Hurricane Helene disaster recovery efforts on Grandfather Ranger District of the Pisgah National Forest. Projects will focus on reopening and repairing storm-impacted trails while also using chainsaws for corridor clearing, hazard tree removal, and debris management. Additionally, the crew 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.
Crews are typically composed of 1 Staff Crew Leader, 1 AmeriCorps Assistant Crew Leader, and 4 AmeriCorps Members. Members will gain extensive experience in vegetation management techniques, chainsaw operations, and ecological restoration, while living and working outdoors in a team-based, immersive setting.
The Conservation crew member position is an entry-level role. Crew members are supported on a variety of levels, by their crew leaders, program staff, project partners, and Conservation Legacy staff. While prior experience in the outdoors or outdoor work can be helpful, it is not a necessity for this position. We ask that crew members embrace learning opportunities, face challenges, and build community with their crew.
Crew members are an essential part of the crew, working together as a team under the leadership of crew leaders. The crew member is the quintessential “boots on the ground”: being the driving force behind the crew moving forward and completing projects. Crew members are expected to hold themselves accountable to complete project work as requested by the crew leader/site supervisor, as well as working together as a team with their fellow crew members, ensuring a positive, supportive environment in which all can learn and grow. Crew members are representatives of both AmeriCorps and Conservation Corps North Carolina and should hold themselves to a high standard of behavior, work ethic, and conservation values.
This position will operate on a variable “hitch” schedule of 9 days on and 5 days off for camping crews. Workdays follow a 10-hour shift with scheduled time for breaks. While the staff at CCNC work to provide consistency throughout the season, personal flexibility is expected and should be prepared for when entering the term as schedules, times, and work locations are subject to change per project needs.
Food is provided while in the field and crews can accommodate most dietary restrictions. Crews work together to plan meals and complete all necessary chores. 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 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.
Description of Duties:
Project types may include:
-
-
Clearing hazard trees and blowdowns caused by Hurricane Helene
-
Reopening blocked trail corridors and restoring public access
-
Trail construction and maintenance (tread work, drainage features, steps, retaining walls)
-
Hazard fuel reduction and vegetation management using chainsaws and hand tools
-
Rough carpentry (bridge and boardwalk repair/installation)
-
Expectations:
CCNC is an independent, non-residential program. Crew Members are responsible for their own housing, food, and transportation when not in the field unless otherwise specified. Some equipment is available to borrow throughout the season, but Crew Members are asked to supply as much of their own personal outdoor gear (day pack, work pants, hiking/work boots, etc.) as possible. A gear list is provided upon acceptance into the program. CCNC will provide group equipment, tools, protective gear, and transportation between Bahama, NC and project sites.
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.
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 represent the Program and AmeriCorps to the public and project partners at all times.
Safety and Judgment:
- Effectively communicate danger to others in the form of either a warning 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 directions 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:
- 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 to reach the nearest advanced medical care.
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 hold a current Wilderness First Aid (WFA) or CPR/First Aid certification prior to the start date that is valid for the full duration of the season. CCNC will reimburse up to $150 for participants who need to obtain or renew their certification before the season begins. (Higher-level medical certifications such as WAFA, WFR, or EMT are also accepted.)
- 1-3 months of chainsaw experience, preferred.
- No previous experience is required, but a general comfort and previous knowledge of working/living in an outdoor setting is helpful.
Our Commitment:
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 Tuesday through the next Wednesday, 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.
-
This is a seasonal position; crew members are asked to fully commit to the experience, expectations, and timeline.
-
Orientation and Training:
- Member will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
Benefits:
- Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $1956.35
- Living Allowance of $480 per week.
- Additional Benefit of $120 per week.
- Healthcare Coverage if Eligible
- Childcare Coverage if Eligible
- Loan forbearance if Eligible
- Interest Payments if Eligible
-
-
Reimbursement of up to $150 for medical certification (First Aid/CPR or above).
-
On-the-job training provided – including obtaining US Forest Service Chainsaw Certification.
-
AmeriCorps Orientation, including training on prohibited and unallowable activities.
-
Public Land Corps (PLC) Certificate hours that offer hiring authority when applying for future federal positions.
-
Member Assistance Program – 3 free sessions of counseling or work-life balance support.
-
Uniform shirts, helmet, work gloves, eye protection, and other necessary safety equipment provided.
-
Assistance may be available for borrowing personal outdoor gear needed to participate.
-
Depending on the academic institution and program, positions may fulfill internship requirements.
-
Professional development opportunities (mentorship, resume support, alumni listserv, etc.).
-
Exposure to natural resource career paths and opportunities.
-
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:
Conservation Corps North Carolina Contact information:
Stephanie Dunton
Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, 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.