Position Title: AmeriCorps Individual Placement – Field Data Technician
Conservation Legacy Program: Southeast Conservation Corps
Site Location: Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, Blue Ridge Ranger District
Term of Service: 50 weeks
- Start Date: 03/15/2027
- End Date: 02/25/2028
- AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 1700 hr
Status: This is a full-time, seasonal, 50-week, 1700-hour AmeriCorps National Service Program.
Benefits:
- Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $7,395.00 upon successful completion of the program
- Living allowance of $480.00 per week, paid bi-weekly
- Additional Benefit of $465.00 per week, paid bi-weekly
Other Benefits: AmeriCorps health insurance, uniform shirts, personal protective equipment, Public Land Corps Hiring Authority Certificate (upon successful completion of hours), member assistance program, and other professional development opportunities available.
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.
United States Forest Service:
The phrase “Caring for the Land and Serving People,” captures the Forest Service mission. As set forth in law, the mission is to achieve quality land management under the sustainable multiple-use management concept to meet the many needs of people.
Blue Ridge Ranger District:
The Blue Ridge Ranger District Recreation program is active and varied with year round visitation that includes ten developed campgrounds, all or portions of seven congressionally designated Wilderness Areas, the Ed Jenkins National Recreation Area, two permitted shooting ranges, numerous dispersed camping and day use areas including Brasstown Bald Visitor Information Center, three OHV trail systems, Jake & Bull trail system (over 30 miles of multi-use horse, bike and hike trails), ASKA trail system (over 15 miles of multi-use bike and hike trails), the Toccoa River Canoe Trail (13.8 miles) and numerous hiking trails including portions of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, the Benton MacKaye Trail and three National Recreation Trails (Duncan Ridge, Jacks Knob, and Arkaquah Trails). The program maintains trails, facilities, and other infrastructure, manages visitor-use issues and impacts, and coordinates land management services with partner organizations.
This Individual Placement is designed as an entry-level professional opportunity to serve directly with a federal land management agency, developing relevant skills, qualifications, and experience. The service focuses on field data collection to provide a comprehensive assessment of current conditions in relation to recent natural disasters and their impact on the weather. Hurricane Helene, along with many other recent impacts, has created significant impacts on the Blue Ridge Ranger District.
The Individual Placement will serve alongside Forest Service technicians and specialists in a variety of resource areas, including trail management, wilderness stewardship, engineering, archaeology, outdoor recreational facilities, wildlife management, silviculture, forestry, and wildland fire. While the service will focus on utilizing technology and GIS to collect real-time data from the field, the exposure and training are designed to equip the individual with the necessary experience to compete for an entry-level position with a land management agency upon program completion. The individual placement will utilize GIS technology and associated devices to collect data from across the district, helping specialists build a comprehensive assessment of current conditions. Products will include condition surveys, GIS data, photographs, narrative reports, and other relevant materials. Service may involve hiking, inclement weather, and physical demands.
Recreation Site Data Collection
- Serve with the Supervisor to gain an understanding of the data needed and the overall intent of the assessment.
- Build an assessment plan for the district to prioritize different resource needs and concerns.
- Gain proficiency with GIS technology and applications.
- Keep consistent records of data gathered and stay organized.
- Serve with recreation staff to mitigate immediate concerns or develop recommendations on remedies.
Housing will not be provided. USFS staff will assist with finding housing in the local area near the park.
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 functions. Some positions may require periodic overnight travel, non-traditional 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 application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.
Time Requirements:
- Typically, this position is expected to serve from 8 am – 5pm, Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week – but exact service schedules may vary and will include evening and weekend service depending on project needs.
- 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.
- Defensive Driving – how to drive on gravel/USFS roads
- ArcGIS, Survey123, FieldMaps, Avenza, USDA Guidelines for Maintenance Levels
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
- Monthly Accomplishment Report
- Narrative Monthly Report.
- Bi-Monthly Check-Ins
- Midterm and Final Evals
- Exiting Tasks
In accordance with a drug-free environment, alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in AmeriCorps and program activities and while on organization property.
If you have questions about the position, please contact:
Recreation Program Manager
USFS: Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
Blue Ridge Ranger District
If you have questions about the application process, please contact:
Individual Placements Program 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.
