Urban Forestry Crew Member-AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy
Position Title: Urban Forestry Crew- AmeriCorps Crew Member
Conservation Legacy Program: Southeast Conservation Corps
Reports to: Crew Leader, Program Coordinator
Site Location: Crew will be based out of SECC’s office in Chattanooga, TN and serving within Chattanooga’s public spaces
Terms of Service:
- Start Date: 03/02/2026
- End Date: 06/26/2026
- AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 450-hour
Status: This is a full-time, seasonal, 15-week- 450-hour AmeriCorps National Service position
Benefits:
- Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $1,956.35 upon successful completion of the program
- Living Allowance of $480 per week.
- Additional Benefit of $120 per week
Other Benefits: Transportation to and from project, uniform shirts, personal protective equipment, and other developmental opportunities as available.
Crew Structure: 1 Crew Leader, 1 Assistant Crew Leader, 4 Crew Members
Purpose — About Southeast Conservation Corps (SECC):
Empowering youth and adults to cultivate compassion, responsibility and life skills through community service, hard work and land stewardship.
SECC, a program of Conservation Legacy, is a non-profit AmeriCorps program. We engage youth (age 15-17) and young adults (ages 18-30, up to 35 for veterans) in service projects on public lands throughout the Southeast. SECC collaborates with land management agencies (United States Forest Service, National Park Service, State Parks, local municipalities, and non-profits) to host day or overnight camping crews and individual placements.
Our AmeriCorps positions provide impactful educational and service opportunities that benefit both communities and landscapes. SECC’s participants reflect the population of the Southeast region, including youth, graduates, veterans, and individuals from various ethnic and economic backgrounds.
Description of Duties
Service Project:
Southeast Conservation Corps (SECC) and the City of Chattanooga have partnered to host an in-town Urban Forestry Crew with funding for this project provided by the USDA National Forest Service. The Urban Forestry Crew will be managed by the City of Chattanooga’s Natural Resources Department who will collaborate with crews to complete their conservation projects.
The crew will engage in strenuous manual labor in all weather conditions. Crew members will combine training and education to support impactful conservation service projects throughout the City of Chattanooga.
Service projects will vary depending on seasonal factors and safety considerations, with a primary focus on invasive plant species management, native vegetation restoration, and streambank stabilization. While SECC and partners strive to provide consistency throughout the season, personal flexibility is expected and should be prepared for when entering the term as schedules, times, and project locations are subject to change per project needs. However, tasks may also include, but are not limited to:
- Riparian buffer restoration
- Invasive plant species removal
- Seeding for native plant species
- Erosion Matting installation
- Limbing up/pruning trees
- Litter removal
- Streambank stabilization
- Grading
- Coir log installation
- Live stake installation
- Native species planting
- Tree, shrub, and perennial planting
- Assist in container tree planting in parks
- Learn proper tree planting techniques
- Potential to plant native plant plugs in stream buffers
- Tree maintenance (watering, pruning, etc)
- Weekly watering, weather permitting
- Weekly tree health inspections
- Weeding mulch rings
- Refreshing mulch rings when necessary
- Staking trees
- Invasive species removal
- Identification of invasive plant species
- Mechanical removal of invasive plants will be accomplished primarily through the use of tools and hand pulling
- Larger shrub species will be managed with the use of loppers and weed wrenches to remove the entirety of the root system
- Smaller vine species will be hand pulled or individuals will be dug up to remove the entirety of the root system
- Herbicide treatment will be applied to larger shrub individuals that cannot be removed mechanically through a cut and spray method or direct leaf application
- Herbicide treatment will be potentially applied to large areas of ground cover or vining species through foliar foam or wipe application.
- Herbicide application will overseen by an individual certified in herbicide application
- Plant and Wildlife Identification
- Become familiar with local flora and fauna
- Identify common invasive plant species to the area
- Utilize iNaturalist and contribute to citizen science data collections
- Planting procedures
- Hand weeding
- Gardening/landscaping
- Bank stabilization
- Working with volunteers and engaging with the public
- Assistance with volunteer tree plantings or invasive species removals
- Work beside and engage with volunteers
- Assist in events such as City Nature Challenge that may occur at the Park during the term
- Assist volunteers with plant identification and/or proper tree planting techniques
- Potential to help in volunteer day instruction and safety talks prior to the event
- While working in public parks, citizens will ask questions and want to know about the work being done, you will be expected to engage and talk about the project
Additional Duties:
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Learn and apply conservation, restoration, and outdoor skills
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Active participation in educational activities
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Practice appropriate safety measures in all assigned tasks
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Use, maintain, and repair hand and power tools as necessary
Project Skills Acquired Through the Program:
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Plant Identification
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Invasive plant species management practices
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Young tree care
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Volunteer management
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Proper planting techniques
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Erosion control
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Understanding of vegetative practices used for stormwater management and improved stream health.
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A foundational understanding of conservation careers, in particularly natural resource management within an urban park setting.
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Proper use/maintenance of hand and power tools.
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Communication and outreach with the public.
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Teamwork and collaboration in a field setting.
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Problem-solving and adaptability in a dynamic environment.
These skills are highly transferable to careers in urban forestry, environmental education, natural resource management, park services, conservation nonprofits, and more.
***Note: Many waterways across Chattanooga are impaired for various reasons including, but not limited to potentially harmful bacteria like E.coli. All crews will be equipped with the appropriate PPE to work in water that may contain these contaminants, however individuals will be expected to practice best management practices while working in the field.
Crew Life:
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Crew Structure: This crew consists of 4 crew members and 2 crew leaders who will provide project expertise, mentorship, training, and support to ensure the success of all participants.
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Schedule: Crew members will report to the SECC office at 7:30am Monday-Friday and will end each day around 4:00pm. Members will have evenings and weekends off. The day includes two fifteen-minute breaks and an unpaid half-hour break for lunch.
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Camping: This crew will not be camping, as crew members will go home at the end of the day.
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Housing: Housing IS NOT provided. Crew members are responsible for securing their own housing during off time.
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Food: Crew members will provide their own snacks and lunches. SECC will provide jugs for members to refill their water.
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Chores: Crew members collaborate to manage chores (putting away tools, cleaning tools, etc.) and participate in any group discussions.
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Gear: Members must supply their own personal outdoor gear (day pack, water bottle, work pants, hiking/work boots). SECC has a limited supply of loaner gear available for crew members to borrow, but it may not fit personal preferences or specific needs. SECC will provide tools, group equipment, and personal protective equipment
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Transportation: SECC will provide transportation between SECC office and project sites.
***Note: transportation needs will be taken into consideration on a case-by-case basis. Please contact our Recruitment Coordinator (contact information listed below) with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your personal transportation needs.
Requirements:
Minimum Qualifications:
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United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
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Must be between ages 18 and 30, or up to 35 if a military veteran.
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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
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Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.
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Must be living within 20mi from SECC office in Chattanooga, TN.
Preferred Qualifications:
General comfort with and prior experience in outdoor environments.
Our Commitment:
Conservation Legacy is committed to the full consideration of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential job functions. Physical requirements may include periodic overnight travel, non-traditional work 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. The ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.
Time Requirements:
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Typically, this position is expected to serve March to June, but exact service schedules may vary. A half hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service
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Member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.
Orientation and Training:
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Member will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
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Trainings related to Urban Forestry service projects
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Proper tree planting and young tree care practices
Evaluation and Reporting:
SECC supports a culture of feedback and growth. Crew Members will set goals at the beginning of the season and review their performance at the mid and end point of their season through both self-evaluation and a review with their Crew Leader. Evaluations will cover professionalism, responsibility and leadership, communication, engagement, productivity, safety, and equipment use. Crew Members will also evaluate their Crew Leaders’ performance, the overall program, and their experience at the end of their term.
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.
Participant Behavior Expectations:
Professionalism:
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Be punctual, hardworking, and flexible. Appropriately represent SECC and AmeriCorps to the public and project partners at all times.
Participation:
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Learn all necessary skills and apply them to complete all aspects of the program including conservation projects, education, training, and national service.
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Commit to participating in all crew/team activities, including service days in local communities where applicable.
Positive Atmosphere:
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Contribute to a positive and safe culture, free from harassment.
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Demonstrate teamwork and respect for fellow members, partners, the public, and the land. This may require problem-solving on an interpersonal or group level and a willingness to accept differences.
Corps Values:
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Strive for an experience grounded in the corps values of challenge, stewardship, dedication, community, and integrity.
Safety and Judgment:
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Effectively communicate ideas, concerns, and danger as they arise directly to colleagues, supervisor, and program staff.
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Effectively perceive, understand, and follow directions by others so that you will be able to successfully execute appropriate techniques to manage hazards.
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Stay alert and focused for several hours at a time while traveling and serving in varied weather conditions.
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Perceive and comprehend significant and apparent hazards, including those hazards previously identified by others.
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Respond appropriately to stress or crises.
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If taking prescription medications, participants must be able to maintain proper dosage by self-medicating without assistance from others.
Outdoor Skills:
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Learn and safely perform fundamental outdoor living, travel, and industry skills as appropriate to the project. Additionally, remain adequately hydrated, fed, and properly dressed to remain generally healthy and safe, avoiding environmental injuries.
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Practice ‘Leave no Trace’ principles to preserve public spaces
Substance Free:
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Alcohol and drugs are prohibited during AmeriCorps and program activities, and on organization property, in accordance with a drug free environment.
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Application Instructions:
To Apply: Complete the Application, upload cover letter and resume.
Any questions can be addressed to:
Angela Gerstner
Recruitment Coordinator
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.