Position Title: Crew Leader II: Western NC Office

Conservation Legacy Program: CCNC

Site Location: Based out of Western NC-Service Projects throughout the region

Wages: $925-$1125/Week, based on prior experiences and certifications

Terms of Service:

Start Date: May 26th, 2026
End Date: August 19th, 2026

Organizational Summary:

Conservation Legacy is a nationwide non-profit. The Corps programs within the organization engage participants in diverse conservation and community projects that serve public and private lands. These projects provide opportunities for personal and professional development and strive toward a high priority of needs for public land managers and community partners. Through the mission of engaging future leaders who protect, restore and enhance our nation’s lands through community-based service; Conservation Legacy works toward a world with healthy lands, air and water; thriving people and resilient communities.

Program Summary:

Conservation Corps North Carolina empowers young adults through meaningful outdoor work that benefits North Carolina’s land and water and fosters healthy communities. A program of Conservation Legacy, CCNC partners with public land managers and community organizations across the state to engage motivated individuals—typically ages 15–30—in challenging and impactful conservation service projects. These projects may include trail construction and maintenance, habitat restoration, hazard fuel reduction, invasive species removal, and other technical conservation work. CCNC crews and individual placements gain hands-on experience, professional development, and the opportunity to positively impact North Carolina’s natural resources and communities.

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. 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 teams with those from a variety of populations and communities.

CCNC’s 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: 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 Conservation Legacy 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)

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

Willingness to commit fully to the program and its mission

Ability to effectively 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:

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 various 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:

Miriam Zouhri

mzouhri@conservationlegacy.org

and

Kathryn Eckman

keckman@conservationlegacy.org

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:

• Typically, this position is expected to serve Tuesday to the following Wednesday (9 Days), but exact service schedules may vary. A half hour lunch break will not be counted towards hours.
• Member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.

Benefits:

• Wages: $925-$1125/Week, depending on prior experiences and certifications

Supervisor/Staff Name and Contact Information:

Miriam Zouhri

mzouhri@conservationlegacy.org

and

Kathryn Eckman

keckman@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.