Position Title: Recreation Technician Individual Placement

Conservation Legacy Program: Southeast Conservation Corps

Site Location: Chattahoochee- Oconee National Forest | Oconee Ranger District

Address: 1199 Madison Rd, Eatonton, Georgia 31024

Position Available: 2

Terms of Service: 50 Weeks

Start Date: 03/09/2026

End Date: 02/19/2027 [JM1]

AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 1700 hr

Purpose:

Southeast Conservation Corps (SECC) is a non-profit, AmeriCorps-affiliated organization. This individual placement is in partnership with the National Park Service and is an AmeriCorps Position. SECC empowers young adults to cultivate compassion, responsibility, and grit through community service and environmental stewardship. SECC selects young adults, ages 18-30, to complete conservation projects on public lands throughout the Southeast. SECC programs encourage environmental stewardship, foster community partnerships, and emphasize experiential learning.

USFS: The phrase, “Caring for the Land and Serving People,” captures the Forest Service mission. As set forth in law, the mission is to achieve quality land management under the sustainable multiple-use management concept to meet the diverse needs of people.

Chatt-O Oconee Ranger District: The Oconee Ranger District (ORD) Recreation Program manages nine recreation areas, offering opportunities for outdoor enjoyment and connection with nature. These areas include scenic sites with access to Lake Oconee and Lake Sinclair, a 30-mile equestrian trail, a 16-mile All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) trail, and other popular areas for forest visitors across the district. In addition to providing recreational access, the program is deeply committed to caring for the land and serving the people. Through sustainable land management practices, habitat conservation, and regular maintenance, the district ensures that these natural spaces remain healthy and accessible for future generations. Additional district recreation programs include educational outreach, volunteer programs, and partnerships with local communities that enhance the public’s experience on national forest lands.

Position Overview:

These placements are entry-level positions designed to support the Forest Service in its mission to care for the land and serve the people. These individuals will attain experience and skills in recreation operations, trail maintenance, trail enhancement, field data collection, forest stewardship, and public engagement. The Oconee Ranger District (ORD) has been impacted by recurrent storm events over the years, most recently by Hurricane Helene. These placements will support efforts in long-term disaster recovery across the ORD. Primarily rebuilding and enhancing damaged trails and recreation site infrastructure. In addition, these positions will support the recreation staff in data collection, mapping, and georeferencing. Lastly, the positions will support the ORD recreation staff in management and maintenance/enhancements to the nine recreation sites in the forest.

By engaging individual placements in these critical tasks, the Forest Service addresses an urgent need for additional capacity in restoring and maintaining public lands following natural disasters. Individual Placements will play a vital role in helping the forest recover, while also contributing to long-term environmental stewardship. Their service will enhance recreational access, promote ecological resilience, and foster community engagement with public lands, making a lasting impact on both the environment and the people who depend on it.

Description of Duties:

Recreation Site Operations, Maintenance, and Improvements

• Assist recreation staff with routine maintenance and operations of Oconee recreation sites.

• Develop skills using tools related to recreation and forest management.

• Support projects aimed at improving and repairing damaged recreation infrastructure.

• Collaborate with recreation staff to monitor and assess site usage, including public engagement.

• Help maintain and enhance dispersed recreation opportunities throughout the forest.

Trails Operations, Maintenance, and Improvements

• Assist in identifying trail repairs and enhancement needs, particularly those related to disaster relief.

• Support routine maintenance and operations of trails within the Oconee Ranger District (ORD).

• Contribute to projects that promote an environmentally sustainable trail system.

• Help ensure the trail system remains safe and accessible for public use.

Data Collection

• Serve with recreation staff to build skills in georeferencing and mapping.

• Collect relevant data for trail systems across the ORD.

• Georeference and map project locations, hazardous areas, and trail reroutes.

• Assist with record keeping and data management for Oconee trails and recreation sites.

Potential environmental/human risk involved with this term of service: uneven terrain, physical exertion, inclement weather, and remote service sites

Qualifications:

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
• At least 18 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 before using the education award
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check
• Valid Driver’s License
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Interest in natural resource management, recreation or environmental sciences
• Proven ability to complete assignments and meet deadlines with minimal supervision.
• Comfortable navigating by map throughout the forest, including areas with limited or no cell coverage.

Preferred Qualifications:

· Experience with ArcGIS, Field Maps and Survey 123, regarding georeferencing and mapping.

· Experience with hand tools, power tools, and equipment operation (including, but not limited to chainsaws (sawyer certifications), lawnmowers, weed eaters, hedge trimmers, etc.) [JM2]

· College degree in Environmental Sciences, Natural Resources, or related fields.

Transportation:

A personal vehicle is required due to the limited public transportation and rural character of this location. USFS/SECC vehicles will be provided for transportation only for forest capacity. This Individual Placement will have to be a driver.

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 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 8 am until 5 pm, Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week – but exact service schedules may vary and will include evening and weekend service depending on project needs. 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.

Orientation and Training:

• Members will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
• Defensive Driving, how to drive on gravel roads / USFS Roads
• ArcGIS, Survey123, FieldMaps, Avenza, USDA Guidelines for Maintenance Levels, etc.

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award: $7,395.00
• Living Allowance: $536 per week.
• Additional Benefit: $457 per week.
• Benefits: yes
• Possible student loan forbearance.
• Member Assistance Program – 3 free sessions of support with a counseling or service-life balance specialist.
• Uniform shirts
• Professional development opportunities (mentorship, resume support, etc.) and exposure to natural resource career paths.

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
• Monthly Accomplishment Report
• Narrative Monthly Report.
• Bi-Monthly Check-Ins
• Midterm and Final Evals
• Exiting Task

Substance Free:

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

Applications will begin review on November 10, 2025, with a selection by February 9, 2026.

If you have questions about the position, please contact:

Jeff McDonald

ORA Biologist

USFS– Chattahoochee- Oconee National Forest - Oconee Ranger District

jeffrey.mcdonald@usda.gov

If you have questions about the application process, please contact:

Ray Wilson

Individual Placement Coordinator

Southeast Conservation Corps

rwilson@conservationlegacy.org

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.