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
Status: This is a full-time, seasonal, 13-week- 450-hour AmeriCorps National Service position
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.
Southeast Conservation Corps, 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 backgrounds.
The crew member position is an entry-level role. During their time in the field, Urban Forestry Crew Members serve outdoors in all weather conditions, performing heavy manual labor to complete conservation and restoration projects. Most projects require full days outside within urban settings for the day carrying tools, equipment, and a day pack. While prior experience with the outdoors or outdoor work can be helpful, it is not a necessity for this position. We ask that crew members embrace learning opportunities, face challenges, and build community with their crew.
Southeast Conservation Corps (SECC) and the City of Chattanooga have partnered to host an In-town (day crew) Urban Forestry Crew with funding for this project provided by the USDA Forest Service, Urban and Community Forestry Program. 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 and weather needs. However, tasks may also include, but are not limited to:
Project Skills Acquired Through the Program:
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 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.
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
***Note: transportation needs will be taken into consideration on a case-by-case basis. Please contact staff listed below with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your personal transportation needs.
Preferred Qualifications:
- General comfort with and prior experience in outdoor environments.
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.
Orientation and Training:
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:
Learn all necessary skills and apply them to complete all aspects of the program including conservation projects, education, training, and national service.
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.
Strive for an experience grounded in the corps values of challenge, stewardship, dedication, community, and integrity.
Effectively communicate ideas, concerns, and danger as they arise directly to colleagues, supervisor, and program staff.
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.
Application Instructions:
To Apply: Complete the Application, upload resume.
Any questions can be addressed to:
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.
