Position Summary:

The AmeriCorps Assistant Crew Leader (ACL) is responsible for facilitating a positive Crew Member experience. The ACL is a full partner in the crew’s leadership, helping to communicate directions, projects specifications and constructive criticism throughout the term. This position requires open dialog with the Staff Crew Leader; helping them to manage projects, project partners communications, overall logistics, and crew assignments. Our program model fosters a supportive learning environment where participants can maximize their opportunities to grow and develop while gaining certifications to propel them into a career in environmental stewardship. It also creates an intentional space for groups that are under-represented to step into conservation and natural resource management.

It means more than just showing up, it means setting an example of how to persevere with great enthusiasm through all kinds of conditions while practicing good judgement and safety. It means facilitating a learning experience for Crew Members, both formally and informally. This position may require additional participation time outside of standard project and crew hours.

This position will be coached and mentored by an SECC Staff Crew Leader. ACLs are responsible for maintaining SECC’s high standards for technical projects and hands-on member growth, managing projects and implementing feedback among crew members. The ACL Position is a key development opportunity designed to identify and overcome challenges in leadership through a hands-on leadership role in conjunction with close mentorship from the Staff Crew Leader. Qualified candidates will identify growth plans and assist the Staff Crew Leader in administrative functions.

Crew Life:
SECC crews consist of 4-6 crew members and 2 crew leaders who provide project expertise, mentorship, training, and support to ensure the success of all participants. Food is provided while in the field, and crew members collaborate to plan meals and share chores, such as cooking and washing dishes. Most dietary restrictions can be accommodated if communicated in advance. Crew members must be prepared to camp, travel, complete service projects, and share meals as a team. No drug or alcohol consumption is allowed during service-related activities or travel at any time.

Crew members will need to supply their own personal equipment such as a day pack, work pants, hiking/work boots, etc. SECC will provide tools, protective gear and transportation between SECC office and project sites. SECC has a limited supply of loaner gear available for crew members to borrow. While this gear can be helpful, we strongly recommend that members bring as much of their own gear as possible, as the loaner equipment may not fully meet personal preferences or specific needs.

SECC supports a culture of feedback and growth. Crew Members will set goals at the beginning of the season and review their performance through both self-evaluation and a review with their Crew Leader in the middle and at the end of their season. Evaluations will cover areas such as professionalism, responsibility and leadership, communication, engagement, productivity, safety, and equipment use. Crew Members will also be asked to evaluate their Crew Leaders’ performance, the overall program, and their experience at the end of their term.

Hitch Schedule:

This crew will operate on a varied hitch schedule, with options including 5 days on 2 days off Monday-Friday OR 4 days on 3 days off Monday-Thursday OR Tuesday-Friday. Schedules will vary depending on the project. The crews’ schedule will depend on the project and partner’s needs. Members must remain flexible and expect partners to communicate crew schedule before off time.

General Qualifications:

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
• Must be between ages 18 and 30, or up to 35 if a military veteran.
• 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.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Willingness to commit fully to the program and its mission
• Physically fit and able to perform long days in adverse conditions
• Leadership experience with youth or young adults
• Excellent organizational & communication skills
• Must be able to demonstrate strong project management skills
• Strong time-management skills and ability to collaborate independently as well as with others
• Ability to effectively and efficiently manage all aspects of crew life and production within a hitch schedule
• Flexibility, adaptability and capacity to thrive in a fluid, changing 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
• Experience with backpacking, wilderness living and travel, and LNT principles
• Must be 21+, OR have a clean driving record for 3+years (insurable by SECC) and a current driver’s license

Preferred Qualifications:

• Background with experiential and/or environmental education
• Experience with SECC, other conservation corps or youth corps
• Current and relevant certification in Wilderness Medicine (WFA, WAFA, WFR) with CPR/AED
• Facilitation and team-building experience
• Eagerness to take part in various conservation-based projects
• Technical trail construction and maintenance experience
• Strong conflict resolution skills
• Relevant Bachelor’s Degree

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 May to August, but exact service schedules may vary. A half hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service
• Members 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.
• 5/18-5/25 members will begin their season at the SECC office. 5/26 members will be expected to arrive at the Conasauga RD office in personal vehicles, where they will be based for the remainder of their season.

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 and accomplishment tracking.

Participant Behavior Expectations:

Required Skills:

Leadership & Mentorship:

• Manage, supervise, and assist leading the day-to-day details of project tasks
• Implement skills training on project sites 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 healthy, supportive community
• Must be willing to follow and enforce all SECC policies, maintain professional boundaries, and appropriately represent Southeast Conservation Corps. This includes creating a substance free environment, refraining from the use of tobacco products, alcohol, and drugs while involved in the program

Project Management & Implementation:

• Assist in training and motivating a crew of young adults to complete conservation projects efficiently on public lands
• Delegate project tasks & investment among co-leader and crew
• Manage on-the-ground quality and quantity of service project
• Think critically to resolve issues and solve problems
• Communicate effectively & coordinate logistics with project partners, co-leader, & SECC staff

Safety & Risk Management

• Monitor, manage, and promote the crew’s physical and emotional safety on and off the project site
• Exhibit strong situational awareness & promote a culture of safety
• Transport crew and equipment safely in SECC’s vans or large vehicles with trailers

Administration:

• As delegated by Staff Crew Leader, complete professional documentation of time sheets, daily and weekly project reports, corps member and peer evaluations, incident reports, etc., and submit in a timely manner

Safety and Judgment:

• Effectively communicate danger to others in the form of either a warning of danger others may be encountering or a notification of personal distress, injury or need for assistance. You must be able to do so at a distance of up to 50 meters and in conditions with limited visibility or loud background noise such as darkness or high winds.
• Effectively perceive, understand and follow direction by others so that you will be able to successfully execute appropriate and perhaps unfamiliar techniques to manage hazards. These directions may be given before the hazard is encountered or may need to be given during exposure to the hazard
• Stay alert and focused for several hours at a time while traveling and in various 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
• Exhibit strong situational awareness & promote a culture of safety
• Transport crew and equipment safely in SECC’s vans or large SUVs with trailers

Outdoor Skills and Fitness (where appropriate):

• Learn and safely perform fundamental outdoor living, travel, and industry skills as appropriate to the project. Additionally, remain adequately hydrated, fed, and properly dressed so as to remain generally healthy and safe, avoiding environmental injuries.
• Learn, practice, and teach ‘Leave no Trace’ techniques

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.