Position Title: USFS Forest Archaeology Strike Team Assistant Crew Leader – AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Conservation Corps North Carolina
Site Location: USFS Ranger District Uwharrie Ranger District
Terms of Service:
• Start Date: 1/25/2027
• End Date: 12/10/2027
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 1700 Hours
Application closes November 6th
Organizational Summary:
Conservation Legacy is a nationwide non-profit. The Corps programs within the organization engage participants in different 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:
Conservation Corps North Carolina, in partnership with the Forest Service in North Carolina are recruiting 1 Forest Archaeology Strike Team Assistant Crew Leader (ACL) to work on projects in 2027.
During their term, this AmeriCorps member will conduct archaeological monitoring, survey, excavation of archaeological resources, GIS recordation, as well as the recordation and reporting of archaeological sites and survey for the USFS. Fieldwork includes locating prehistoric and historic sites, recording archaeological and environmental data, maintaining essential field documentation, and reporting the information collected. Project work may vary but will include shovel testing, pedestrian survey, open excavations, back filling, artifact processing, GPS recordation of site locations, and ground delineation of sites for management. Laboratory work includes production of field catalogs and inventories of archaeological data, washing and sorting artifacts, analyzing artifacts, and field data, producing maps and drawings, database entry, cataloging and entering site data into both NRM and NFsNC recordation systems.
In addition to archaeological work, projects may include some interdisciplinary work pertaining to natural resource management depending on the needs of the partnering agency. This position is heavily field-based and involves daily physical activity. There will be the potential for technical trainings throughout the members service term to assist in the interdisciplinary work.
CCNC supports a culture of feedback and growth. Assistant Crew Leaders 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 topic areas including Professionalism, Responsibility, Leadership, Communication, Community Engagement, Project Work, Safety, Organization, and Equipment. Crew Members will also be asked to evaluate their Crew Leaders’ performance, the overall program, and their experience at the end of their term.
Project Work:
Cultural Resource Survey with Archaeologist
• Complete background research for the project area, develop field maps, schedule, and prepare equipment
• Conduct pedestrian survey or other approved survey methods for the project area
• Record cultural resources in the field: write forms, take photos, record location
• Flag cultural resources for avoidance
• Download data at the office
Write Cultural Resource Documentation with Archaeologist
• Essential functions and responsibilities
• Develop GIS maps for the project area and any documented cultural resources
• Collaborate on completing cultural resource forms and reports
• Maintain cultural resource project documentation and records
Expectations:
CCNC is an independent, non-residential program. Crew members are responsible for their own housing, food, and transportation to and from the work site. A CCNC vehicle will be provided during work hours. 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.
ACLs are asked to work hard, stay positive, and be flexible with changing schedules, weather conditions, and project needs. This is a seasonal position; ACLs are asked to fully commit to the experience, expectations, and timeline.
Once ACLs are selected and prior to their start date, they are required to complete an online enrollment process that includes completing e-forms, uploading IDs, enrolling with AmeriCorps, and beginning their background check process. For those with limited access to online platforms, accommodations may be available and can be discussed during the interview process.
Participation and Expedition Behavior:
• Work effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions. This may require problem solving on an interpersonal or group level as well as a willingness to accept differences.
• Contribute to a safe learning environment; no harassment of others for any reason.
• Ability to drive CCNC Crew vehicles & trailers.
• Willingness and ability to complete all aspects of the program including conservation projects, education, training, and national service. Members must commit to participating in all crew/team activities, including service days in local communities where applicable.
• Effectively communicate ideas and concerns as they arise directly to supervisors, colleagues, and organization staff.
• Have the cognitive ability to learn necessary skills and apply them to effectively carry out the service work requirements.
• Appropriately represent the Program and AmeriCorps to the public and project partners at all times.
Safety and Judgment:
• Effectively communicate danger to others in the form of either a warning 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 directions 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 working 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 and Fitness:
• Learn and safely perform fundamental outdoor living/travel and work 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.
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.
• 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.
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 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 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 a crew leader training focusing on all CCNC-related logistics (credit cards, salesforce documentation, etc.)
• Member will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
Benefits:
• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $7,395.00
• Living Allowance of $480 per week.
• Additional Benefit of $270 per week.
• Healthcare Coverage if Eligible
• Childcare Coverage if Eligible
• Loan forbearance if Eligible
• Interest Payments if Eligible
• On-the-job training provided
• Public Land Corps (PLC) Certificate hours that offer hiring authority when applying for future federal positions.
• Member Assistance Program – 3 free sessions of counseling or work-life balance support.
• Uniform shirts, helmet, work gloves, eye protection, and other necessary safety equipment provided.
• Assistance may be available for borrowing personal outdoor gear needed to participate.
• Depending on the academic institution and program, positions may fulfill internship requirements.
• Professional development opportunities (mentorship, resume support, alumni listserv, etc.).
• Exposure to natural resource career paths and opportunities.
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.
Supervisor Name and Contact Information:
Jackie Meyer jmeyer@conservationlegacy.org
or
Miriam Zouhri mzouhri@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.
