Chainsaw Crew Assistant Crew Leader – Climate Impact Mitigation
Reports to: Staff Crew Leader
Locations: Based out of Bahama, NC but will be camping and completing service projects on either North Carolina’s Outer Banks or Croatan National Forest
Season Dates: January 6th, 2025 - March 19th, 2025
Status: Full-time, seasonal 300-hour AmeriCorps National Service position
Compensation: $650/week ($500/wk for stipend, $150/wk for housing), including an $1,565.08 Segal Education Award upon completion of program.
Status: This is a full-time, AmeriCorps National Service position.
Hitch Schedule: 9 days on, 5 days off and one hitch 5 days on, 3 days off
Questions? Contact Mallory James at mjames@conservationlegacy.org
Application date:To receive priority, please submit your application no later than September 16th, 2024. Applications will be accepted until all positions are filled.
The mission of Conservation Corps North Carolina (CCNC) is to empower young adults through meaningful outdoor work that benefits North Carolina’s land and water and creates healthy communities. CCNC is a program of Conservation Legacy that partners with public land managers in North Carolina to engage motivated young adults (ages 18-30) to complete challenging and impactful conservation service projects throughout the region. Projects may include trail construction & maintenance, habitat improvement, hazard fuel reduction, and ecological restoration. Crews may also complete technical and/or specialized projects depending on project partner needs.
For this exciting opportunity, we are recruiting an Assistant Crew Leader to join us on two separate saw crews – each comprised of 1 CCNC staff Crew Leader, 1 AmeriCorps Assistant Crew Leader, and 4 AmeriCorps Members. This is a great chance to gain experience working with either the National Park Service, or US Forest Service.
The National Parks Service (NPS) Outer Banks Group crew will address critical deferred maintenance needs resulting from climate impacts across the Outer Banks Group including hazard tree mitigation, facilities repairs, and vegetation management. Work will occur at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site and the Wright Brothers National Memorial. Additionally, the crew will support other priority projects as identified by NPS staff as needed based on weather and other factors.
The US Forest Service Croatan National Forest crew project work will include a variety of technical chainsaw work to complete timber stand improvement, fuels reduction, hazard tree removal, and forest health improvement projects.
Both crews will use power tools including brush cutters and chainsaws. Crew members should expect to work on rugged terrain in inclement weather with technical, advanced cutting operations. The work will be arduous and fast-paced in areas of high exposure.
Each crew will be composed of 1 CCNC staff Crew Leader, 1 AmeriCorps Assistant Crew Leader, and 4 AmeriCorps Members. The Crew Leader and Assistant Crew Leader will provide project expertise, mentorship, training, and support for the success of all participants. Field Crews will meet at Camp Slocum (located north of Durham, NC), 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. While in the field, Crew Members work 8-10 hours a day. Each workday includes two fifteen-minute breaks and a half-hour lunch break. Food is provided while in the field. Crews work together to plan meals and complete all necessary chores. We can accommodate most dietary restrictions. Camp chores will be completed every evening, with many evenings including group discussions on conservation topics.
CCNC supports a culture of feedback and growth. Crew Members and 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.
CCNC is committed to celebrating diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of its work. We believe that a diverse and inclusive environment enriches our organization, strengthens our mission, and fosters innovation and creativity. CCNC is dedicated to creating a welcoming space where individuals of all backgrounds feel valued, respected, and empowered to contribute fully to our conservation efforts. We actively seek to build a team that reflects the diverse communities we serve, recognizing that inclusive practices are essential to achieving equitable outcomes and lasting environmental impact.
CCNC is an independent, non-residential program. Assistant Crew Leads (ACLs) are responsible for their own housing, food, and transportation when not in the field unless otherwise specified. Some equipment is available to borrow throughout the season, but ACL's are asked to supply as much of their own personal outdoor gear (tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, day pack, multi-day pack, work pants, hiking/work boots, etc) as possible. In the field, CCNC will provide food, group camp equipment, tools, protective gear, and transportation between Camp Slocum and project sites. On-hitch crews prepare all their own meals and work together as a group to complete all necessary chores. Community/camp chores will be completed every evening, with many evenings including group discussions, conservation and/or corps related topics. During their time in the field, CCNC field crews camp overnight and work outdoors in all types of weather conditions, performing heavy manual labor related to environmental conservation and restoration projects. Most projects require hiking out to remote work sites for the day with tools, equipment, and day pack.
ACLs are primarily responsible for facilitating a positive Crew Member experience. The ACL is a full partner in the crew’s leadership, helping to communicate directions, projects specifications and constructive criticism throughout the term. This position requires open dialog with the Staff Crew Leader; helping them to manage projects, project partners communications, overall logistics, and crew assignments. It means more than just showing up and doing the work- ACLs set an example of how to work hard with great enthusiasm through all kinds of conditions while practicing good judgement and safety. It means facilitating a learning experience for Crew Members, both formally and informally. This position may require additional participation time outside of standard project and crew hours.
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 selected and prior to their start date, ACLs 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.
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Must be eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award (individuals are eligible if they have not already completed 2 full years of AmeriCorps service, or 4 AmeriCorps service terms, whichever comes first – please contact us if you are unsure of your eligibility)
Preferred Qualifications:
Participant Essential Eligibility Requirements
Essential eligibility requirements for the program must be met. If you are unable to meet certain requirements, we may be able to assist you with some modification unless it alters the fundamental nature of the program, compromises the health and safety of participants or staff, or places an undue financial or administrative burden on the organization. These requirements are written the same for all positions and therefore may not apply directly to your particular position.
Participation and Expedition Behavior:
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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.
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Effectively communicate danger to others in the form of either a warning of danger others may be encountering 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.
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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.
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Live in a physically demanding, possibly remote environment for an uninterrupted period of up to several weeks. Conditions of this environment may vary significantly and may include severe and/or trying weather. The remoteness is such that it may require at a minimum one hour, but perhaps in excess of 12 hours, to reach the nearest advanced medical care.
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Uniform shirts, helmet, work gloves, eye protection, and other necessary safety equipment is provided
Exposure to natural resource career paths and opportunities
This program is available to all eligible applicants, without regard to race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, political affiliation, sexual orientation or religion.
To Apply: Complete the Application, and upload resume. Cover letter is optional.
Any questions can be addressed to:
mjames@conservationlegacy.org
**To be considered, you must upload an resume in addition to your application**
"Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to hiring a breadth of diverse professionals and encourage members of diverse groups to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, political affiliation, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, 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 a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager."
