Position Title: Helene Recovery Vegetation Management Crew Leader II
Conservation Legacy Program: Conservation Corps North Carolina
Site Location: Based out of Old Fort, North Carolina with service projects in the Appalachian and Grandfather Ranger Districts of the Pisgah National Forest
Wages: $925-$1125/Week, based on prior experiences and certifications
Terms of Service:
Appalachian Ranger District (1 Position):
Grandfather Ranger District (1 Position):
(Season end dates may vary depending on crew assignment, project timelines, and organizational needs. Final service dates will be confirmed upon placement)
Organizational Summary:
Conservation Legacy is a nationwide non-profit. The Corps programs within the organization engage participants in a variety 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.
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.
Appalachian Ranger District and Grandfather Ranger District:
This position will directly support Hurricane Helene disaster recovery efforts Appalachian and Grandfather Ranger Districts of Pisgah National Forest. Projects will focus on removing invasive plant species, reducing hazardous fuels, and improving ecosystem health. Work will include brush cutting, and other mechanical and chemical treatment methods. The work will be arduous and fast-paced in areas of high exposure.
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.
Project types may include:
- Hazard fuel reduction and vegetation management using brush cutters, hand saws, loppers, and other tools.
- Removal of invasive, non-native plant species.
- Timber stand improvement and other ecological restoration techniques.
- Debris removal and corridor clearing in storm-impacted areas.
Responsibilities:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Qualifications:
- United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien.
- Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.
- Ability to commit fully to the program and its mission.
- Understanding and experience with the mission and field management considerations of conservation corps and public land agencies.
- 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 to 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.
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Must hold a current Wilderness First Aid (WFA) or CPR/First Aid certification prior to the start date. CCNC will reimburse up to $150 for participants who need to obtain or renew their certification before the season begins. (Higher-level medical certifications such as WAFA, WFR, or EMT are also accepted.
Experience managing invasive plant species and applying herbicide in the field.
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 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.
- Technical trail experience.
- Sense of humor, spirit of adventure, and desire to make a positive difference and promote leadership in others.
- Rigging experience
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.
- Typically, this position is expected to serve Tuesday through the next Wednesday, but exact service schedules may vary. A half-hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service.
- Member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.
- This is a seasonal position; crew members are asked to fully commit to the experience, expectations, and timeline.
Orientation and Training:
- Member will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
- This position will be given the opportunity to take the NC Pesticide License Exam time provided to study and take the exam before crew leader training.
- Wages: $925-$1125/Week, depending on prior experiences and certifications.
Supervisor/Staff Name and Contact Information:
Conservation Corps North Carolina Contact information:
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.
