Conservation Legacy Program: Conservation Corps North Carolina (CCNC)
Location: Based out of Old Fort, North Carolina – service projects in Pisgah National Forest
Status: Seasonal, Full-time, Camping Program
Season Dates: January 19th – April 29th
Hitch Schedule: 9 days on, 5 days off
Wages: $925-1125/week, depending on prior experience and certifications.

Position Summary:

CCNC is seeking motivated leaders to guide trail and vegetation management crews in support of Hurricane Helene recovery efforts. Leaders will supervise crews on projects such as clearing hazard trees, repairing trails, managing invasive vegetation, and restoring recreation areas. Project work and duty station will vary based on organizational need, applicant fit, and availability of positions across Western North Carolina.

The Crew Leader II position is an opportunity to make a difference in young peoples’ lives while completing conservation projects on public and private lands. Leaders will be mentors, educators, and facilitators for young adults, working to promote the health and resiliency of our land, air, and water.

Standard schedule generally consists of 9 days on-hitch (out in the field as a crew unit) and 5 days off with some exceptions. Some crews may work a more traditional work week 4 or 5 day work week, depending on project needs. Crew Leaders may also be required to come in for an additional day each hitch cycle to complete administrative duties and check-ins with program staff. On-hitch, crews camp together, prepare all meals together, and work together as a group to complete all projects and chores.

The Crew Leader II position requires patience, a consistently positive mental attitude, mentorship, technical aptitude, focus on efficiency, and a high level of competence in the outdoors. It also involves an administration role, where weekly paperwork is due in a timely manner to supervisors. Finally, crew leaders must exhibit the ability to effectively work on diverse teams and those from a variety of populations and communities.

CCNC’s Helene Recovery Crews support communities and land managers across North Carolina in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from natural disasters. Crews may use chainsaws, brush cutters, hand tools, and other mechanical or chemical methods to clear debris, remove hazard trees, restore trails and recreation areas, and improve forest health. Members should expect to work on rugged terrain in inclement weather, often performing technical and physically demanding tasks in areas of high exposure. The work is fast-paced, collaborative, and critical to building resilient lands, trails, and communities.

Responsibilities:

Leadership & Mentorship

• Mentor assistant crew leader (or Crew Leader in Development Program CLDP): provide valuable feedback, give opportunities for growth, delegate responsibilities, and encourage technical and leadership skill development.

• Implement skills training on worksite and facilitate intentional discussions via informal lessons to contribute to the crew’s personal growth and group dynamics.

• Promote individual corps member development and a safe, healthy, cohesive, other-centered and team-oriented community.

• Follow and enforce all policies, maintain professional boundaries, and appropriately represent the program. This includes creating a substance free work environment, refraining from the use of tobacco products, alcohol, and drugs while involved in the program.

Project Management & Implementation

• Train, motivate and supervise a crew of young adults to efficiently complete tasks and objectives outlined in conservation projects, while working long hours and managing high quality of work and crew morale.

• Think critically to resolve issues and problems, requesting assistance or help when needed.

• Communicate & coordinate logistics with project partners, Assistant Crew Leader (or Crew Leader in Development), & staff

Safety & Risk Management

• Monitor, manage, and promote the holistic health of the crew, including physical and emotional (intimidation free community environment) safety.

• Exhibit strong situational awareness & promote a culture of safety.

• Transport crew and equipment safely in organizational vans or large SUVs with trailers in accordance with CL Driver policy.

• Manage and document incidents in the field and activate incident response system, if needed, per Conservation Legacy policy.

Administration

• Thorough documentation of crew hours, accomplishments, disciplinary actions taken, and incident response according to Conservation Legacy policy and procedure

• Manage food budget and credit card purchases.

• Track and submit credit card receipts for all expenses every month.

Camp Management

• Oversee, manage, and assign camp chores (or camp tasks).

• Monitor and manage crew community needs in camp.

• Instruct crew in how to create a safe, hygienic, and tidy camp environment while mitigating crew caused impacts to campsites, practicing minimum impact camping techniques.

• Maintain all program policies and procedures in camp environment.

• Leading a camping crew is an intensive commitment requiring a continuous physical presence. Leaders must remain physically present, and cognitively and emotionally available to support community and individual crew member needs.

Required Qualifications:

• To qualify for the Chainsaw Crew Leader Position, you must have a Faller B Chainsaw certification (Or ready to evaluate as one)

• Willingness to commit fully to the program and its mission

• Ability to effectively and manage all aspects of crew life and production within a 40-50-hour work week

• 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

• Physically fit and able to work long days in adverse conditions

• Must be able to speak, understand and write English

• High School diploma or GED certificate

• Must be 21, have a clean driving record (insurable by Conservation Legacy) and a current driver’s license.

• Must be able to pass Conservation Legacy’s criminal history check requirements

Preferred Qualifications:

• Must hold current/relevant Wilderness First Aid Certification or basic first aid with CPR, or be able to acquire during or before crew training

• Experience with CCNC or other conservation corps

• Experience with experiential and/or environmental education

• Experience with backpacking, wilderness living and travel, and LNT principles.

• Facilitation and team-building experience with diverse groups of people

• Strong time-management skills and ability to work independently as well as with others

• Desire to work on a variety of conservation-based projects

• Strong conflict resolution skills

• Leadership experience with youth or young adults

• Rigging experience

• Technical trail experience

• Sense of humor, spirit of adventure, and desire to make a positive difference and promote leadership in others.

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 gear as possible. A gear list is provided upon acceptance into the program. In addition to providing food while in the field, CCNC will provide group camp equipment, tools, protective gear, and transportation between Camp Slocum and project sites.

Any questions can be addressed to:

Mallory James, mjames@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