Position Title: Recreation Trails Technician Individual Placement

Conservation Legacy Program: Southeast Conservation Corps

Site Location: Frances Marion, Sumter NF | Long Cane Ranger District

Address: 310 Buncombe Street, Edgefield, SC 29824

Position Available: 2

Terms of Service: 25 Weeks

Start Date: 03/09/2026

End Date: 08/28/2026

AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 900 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.

Lone Cane Ranger District: Recreation on the Long Cane Ranger District

Guided by the motto “Caring for the Land and Serving People,” the USFS is dedicated to sustaining the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. This mission emphasizes a balance between conservation and the multiple uses of public lands, including recreation, resource extraction, and habitat preservation. Here on the Long Cane Ranger District, we provide camping, target shooting, boat launches, hunting, fishing, and other activities for the people we serve. In addition to those activities, we also provide over 100 miles of hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and OHV trails.

Position Overview:

The recreation program on the Long Cane Ranger District is small, with few employees. Our trail program needs additional assistance and capacity to provide a better trail experience for the public. The Individual Placement will benefit the community by providing detailed information on trail deficiencies and the current condition of our trail system, enabling us to address these issues. An accurate map showing exactly where the trails are located is just one of the things the public will benefit from. With the collected data, the district will be able to address trail issues such as signage, trail structures, erosion, and other problems. The community will have a better overall trail experience thanks to the Individual Placement's service. The Individual Placement will focus on the 120-mile trail system on the Long Cane Ranger District. The expected product will be an accurate map showing the locations of the trails, as well as trail structures such as bridges. This project will lead to an improved trail system. Data collected will be used to determine where erosion is occurring, so the trail can either be moved or reconstructed to meet standards. Trail bridges will also be evaluated to ensure public safety.

Description of Duties:

GPS centerline trails and gather specific trail information.

· Serve with the supervisor to determine which trail system to collect data.

· Hike trails to collect data with accurate GPS and identify trail deficiencies.

· Upload trail info to the database to use for future projects.

Trail Bridge Assessments

· Survey trail bridges using various hand tools and instruments and document findings.

· Collect trail bridge data with GPS and ESRI Field Maps. Take photos and measurements of bridges.

· If applicable, assist the staff in making trail bridge repairs.

Trail design and maintenance

· Assist with trail layout for relocations. Flag proposed trail and capture distance with GPS

· Perform trail maintenance, install trail signs and blazes.

· Serve with local trail volunteer organizations (SORBA-CSRA)

Potential environmental/human risk involved with this term of service: uneven terrain, physical exertion, inclement weather, and remote service sites. Wet, slippery, and steep conditions around bridge locations. Use of sharp tools and hiking off trail.

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 hand tools and power tools.
• Sawyer certifications.
• Experience collecting data in the backcountry
• Experience with ESRI field maps and ArcGIS software
• College degree or professional experience in natural resources, outdoor recreation, or a related field.

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 must 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

· GPS training using a tablet and programs such as ESRI Field Maps. Field training on the use of a clinometer and other tools.

· Trail bridge training and general trails training.

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award: $3,697.50

• Living Allowance: $480 per week.

• Additional Benefit: $320 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:

Gray Buckles

Recreation Program Manager

Francis Marion / Sumter National Forest

samuel.buckles@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.