Position Title: Spring & Summer Conservation Crew Member
Location: Based out of Harrisonburg, VA
Compensation: $600 per week ($500 living stipend + $100 additional benefit)
Start Date: February 22nd, 2027
End Date: August 17th, 2027
AmeriCorps Education Award: $3,697.50 upon successful completion of a 900-hour service term.
Appalachian Conservation Corps works to connect young people to critical conservation service work across Appalachia and neighboring communities in Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Maryland, DC, and Pennsylvania. As an AmeriCorps program, we partner with public land managers to identify, plan, and complete projects that improve public access, habitat quality, and economic development.
Appalachian Conservation Corps is a program of Conservation Legacy, a nationwide network of conservation service organizations envisioning a world with healthy lands, air, and water, thriving people, and resilient communities. We aim to engage future leaders who protect, restore, and enhance our public lands through community-based service. We welcome national applicants but also emphasize the engagement of local individuals who represent the communities in which they serve.
Crews will meet at the Appalachian Conservation Corps office in Harrisonburg on Monday mornings, travel in a crew vehicle to their project site, and remain in the field for 9 days at a time, followed by 5 days off. Over the course of six months, projects will take place across the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests in Virginia to aid the USFS in restoration and recovery projects needed after Hurricane Helene.
During their time in the field, crews perform manual labor on environmental conservation projects in all types of weather conditions for 10 hours each day. These hands-on projects include visitor access improvements, trail construction and maintenance, habitat restoration, invasive species removal, re-vegetation, and much more. This crew will be trained in and expected to safely use chainsaws to complete conservation projects. Most projects require hiking out to remote sites for the day with tools, equipment, and day pack.
Crews consist of four crew members and two crew leaders who provide project expertise, mentorship, training, and support for the success of all participants. 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.
Appalachian Conservation Corps is an independent, non-residential program. Crews are responsible for their own housing, food, and transportation when they are not in the field. While participants are asked to supply as much of their personal equipment as possible, loaner gear will be available if needed. A gear list is provided upon acceptance into the program.
Food is provided while in the field. Crews work together to plan meals and complete necessary chores (cooking, washing dishes, etc.). Most dietary restrictions can be accommodated if known ahead of time. We also provide group camping equipment, tools, protective gear, uniform shirts, and transportation between Appalachian Conservation Corps offices and project sites.
Members may be required to participate in service projects or events as part of their service terms. Prior to their start date, selected participants are required to complete an enrollment process that includes completing e-forms, uploading IDs, orientation on AmeriCorps prohibited activities, and beginning their background check process.
Appalachian Conservation Corps supports a culture of feedback and growth. Participants will set goals at the beginning of the season and review their performance in the middle and at the end of their season. Participants will also be asked to evaluate the program and their experience. Overall performance will be measured by assignment completion, hours served, and other criteria set at the start of the service term.
- $600 per week ($500 living stipend + $100 additional benefit).
- $3,697.50 Segal AmeriCorps Education Award upon successful completion of a 900-hour service term.
- AmeriCorps members may be eligible for student loan forbearance.
- Member Assistance Program – 3 free sessions of support with a counseling or work-life balance specialist.
- Professional development opportunities (mentorship, resume support, etc.) and exposure to natural resource career paths.
- Be between the ages of 18 and 30 (exception for veterans up to age 35).
- Have US citizenship or legal permanent residency status.
- Have a high school diploma or GED.
- Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.
- Be comfortable working independently in remote locations and adverse weather conditions.
Conservation Legacy is committed to the full consideration of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided with 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 Vanessa Morrison at vmorrison@conservationlegacy.org.
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.
