Youth Conservation Crew Member
Conservation Legacy
Position Title: Youth Conservation Corps Crew Member
Conservation Legacy Program: Southeast Conservation Corps
Reports to: Crew Leader, Program Coordinator
Site Location: Crew will be based out of Chattanooga, TN, serving in various locations across the greater Chattanooga, TN area
Terms of Service:
- *Applicants can do one or both sessions
- YCC Member & Parent Orientation Night: 05/27/2026
- Session I – Day Crew
- Start Date: 06/01/2026
- End Date: 06/26/2026
- Unpaid Week off: 06/29/2026 - 07/03/2026
- Session II – Day Crew
- Start Date: 07/06/2026
- End Date: 07/24/2026
Status: Seasonal - Summer, Full-time, Non-Exempt
Stipend: $15/hour - 40 hours/week ($600/week before taxes, disbursed bi-weekly)
Benefits: Job Training, uniform shirts, personal protective equipment, transportation from SECC office to project sites, educational extracurricular activities. Other development 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 15-18) 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 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 backgrounds.
Description of Duties
SECC’s youth crews are entry-level roles designed to engage local youth in meaningful service and learning opportunities in their communities. During the summer season, SECC will operate two sessions for youth crews: both a day crew, in which members return home at the end of each workday.
Please review the information below carefully. If selected for an interview, applicants should be prepared to discuss their availability and indicate their preference for participation in either day crew session or both.
Season Schedule:
YCC Member & Parent Orientation Night: 05/27/2026
Attendance is required. Time will be determined closer to start date. Members and parents will meet staff and crew leaders, complete remaining onboarding paperwork, go through a SECC orientation and a tutorial on how to pack camping/day packs. Staff will be available to answer questions about the program/season.
Session I, Day Crew: Monday 06/01/2026 - Friday 06/27/2026 (4 weeks) 7:30am-4:00pm – members will meet at SECC office each day
Week 1: 06/01/2026 - 06/05/2026
Weekend off
Week 2: 06/08/2026 - 06/12/2026
Weekend off
Week 3: 06/15/2026 - 06/19/2026
Weekend off
Week 4: 06/22/2026 - 06/26/2026
YCC sessions OFF: 06/29/2026 - 07/03/2026
Session II, Day Crew: Monday 07/06/2026 - Friday 07/24/2026 (3 weeks) 7:30am-4:00pm – members will meet at SECC office each day
Week 1: 07/06/2026 - 07/10/2026
Weekend off
Week 2: 07/13/2026 - 07/17/2026
Weekend off
Week 3: 07/20/2025 - 07/24/2025
Service Project:
Session I project: The Town of Walden Tennessee and SECC have partnered to host a Youth Conservation Corps Day Crew to build a new trail network connecting Walden’s community and its beloved pumpkin patch playground. The second session will take place constructing a new trail within a newly developing public park for the City of Chattanooga.
Service projects vary depending on seasonal factors and safety considerations. 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:
- Trail construction
- Corridor clearing
- Habitat restoration
- Fence installation and repair
- Community Service
Crew Life:
- Crew Structure: This crew consists of 4 crew members and 1-2 experienced and trained crew leaders who will provide project expertise, mentorship, training, and support to ensure the success of all participants.
- Schedule: Crew members will report to the SECC office at 7:30am sharp 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.
- Camping: This crew will not be camping, as crew members will go home at the end of the day.
- Housing: Housing IS NOT provided. Crew members are responsible for securing their own housing during off time.
- Food: Crew members will provide their own snacks and lunches. SECC will provide jugs for members to refill their water.
- Chores: Crew members collaborate to manage chores (putting away tools, cleaning tools, etc.) and participate in any group discussions.
- 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
- Transportation: SECC will provide transportation between SECC office and project sites.
- Phone Policy: Youth members are required to leave cell phones at the SECC office during the day. SECC staff will contact guardians will be contacted if necessary concerning participant well-being and conduct issues.
Qualifications:
- United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
- At least 17 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 prior to using the education award
- Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.
Participant Behavior Expectations:
Professionalism:
Be punctual, hardworking, and flexible. Appropriately represent SECC and AmeriCorps to the public and project partners at all times.
Participation:
Learn all necessary skills and apply them to complete all aspects of the program including conservation projects, education, training, and national service.
Commit to participating in all crew/team activities, including service days in local communities where applicable.
Positive Atmosphere:
Contribute to a positive and safe culture, free from harassment.
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:
Strive for an experience grounded in the corps values of challenge, stewardship, dedication, community, and integrity.
Safety and Judgment:
Effectively communicate ideas, concerns, and danger as they arise directly to colleagues, supervisor, and program staff.
Effectively perceive, understand, and follow directions by others so that you will be able to successfully execute appropriate techniques to manage hazards.
Stay alert and focused for several hours at a time while traveling and serving in varied weather conditions.
Perceive and comprehend significant and apparent hazards, including those hazards previously identified by others.
Respond appropriately to stress or crises.
If taking prescription medications, participants must be able to maintain proper dosage by self-medicating without assistance from others.
Outdoor Skills:
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.
Practice ‘Leave no Trace’ principles to preserve public spaces
Substance Free:
Alcohol and drugs are prohibited during program activities, and on organization property, in accordance with a drug free environment.
Minimum Qualifications:
- United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
- Must be between the ages of 15 and 18
- Members must be currently enrolled in a high school program or must have graduated in the same year as the SECC program (Example: you graduated in May 2026 and the program starts June 2026).
- If 18 years or older, must be cleared through an acceptable check of the National Sex Offender Public Registry, as well as state and federal criminal history checks
Preferred Qualifications:
- No trail crew or conservation crew experience is needed to apply for this position!
- General comfort and prior experience in outdoor environments.
- This program is designed to engage local youth in their local communities and public lands. For this reason, we prioritize folks who are local to Chattanooga region and surrounding towns and cities
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.
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 provide feedback on their experience at the end of their term.
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.
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.