Boundary Marking AmeriCorps Assistant Crew Leader

Conservation Legacy; Chattanooga (TN); On-site; USD 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Segal AmeriCorps Education Award

Living Allowance

Field-provided meals and transport

Uniform shirts & PPE provided

Job summary

Conservation Legacy's Southeast Conservation Corps in Chattanooga seeks an AmeriCorps Boundary Marking Assistant Crew Leader to guide crews through boundary maintenance projects with US Forest Service partners. The role emphasizes leadership, safety, and field data collection during a 450-hour service term.

As ACL you will coordinate project tasks, mentor crew members, and communicate with staff while camping and traveling to forest locations across the Southeast.

Job description

• Location: 2001 N. Chamberlain Ave., Chattanooga, TN, 37406, United States
• Job Category: Conservation, AmeriCorps
• Industry: Environmental, Conservation

Position Title

Boundary Marking Assistant Crew Leader – AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program

Southeast Conservation Corps

Site Location

Based out of the SECC office in Chattanooga, TN, camping and serving within various U.S. Forest Service locations across the Southeast Region

Terms of Service

Start Date: 01/18/2027

End Date: 04/30/2027

AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 450 Hours

Purpose

Southeast Conservation Corps work to empower youth (ages 15-17) and adults (ages 18-30, up to 35 for veterans) to cultivate compassion, responsibility and life skills through community service, hard work and land stewardship throughout the Southeast region of the United States. As an AmeriCorps program, Southeast Conservation Corps collaborates with land management agencies (United States Forest Service, National Park Service, state parks, local municipalities, and non-profits) to host crews and individual placements.

Assistant Crew Leader Position

The AmeriCorps Assistant Crew Leader (ACL) is 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 an open dialog with the Staff Crew Leader; helping them to manage projects, project partner communications, overall logistics, and crew assignments. Our program model fosters a supportive learning environment where participants can maximize their opportunities to grow and develop while gaining certifications to propel them into a career in environmental stewardship. It also creates an intentional space for groups that are under-represented to step into conservation and natural resource management.

This position is more than just showing up; it is setting an example on how to persevere with great enthusiasm through all kinds of conditions while practicing good judgement and safety. It is 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.

This position will be coached and mentored by an SECC Staff Crew Leader. ACLs are responsible for maintaining SECC’s high standards for technical projects and hands-on member growth, managing projects, and implementing feedback among crew members. The ACL Position is a key development opportunity designed to identify and overcome challenges in leadership through a hands‑on leadership role in conjunction with close mentorship from the Staff Crew Leader. Qualified candidates will identify growth plans and assist the Staff Crew Leader in administrative functions.

Project Description

SECC has partnered with the Southern region of the U.S. Forest Service to host a roving boundary maintenance crew that will be based out of Chattanooga, TN and will travel in a crew vehicle and hike out to various forest locations as needed by project partners.

Field Work and Responsibilities

During their time in the field, crews will perform heavy manual labor to complete conservation projects. These projects require traversing through challenging terrain to project sites while carrying up to 50lbs of gear and equipment. Crew members will camp overnight, serve outdoors (in all weather conditions), maintain equipment, and perform all duties with safety as a top priority. We ask that crew members embrace the learning opportunities, preserve through challenges, and build community with their crew.

Projects will vary based on the priorities and direction of SECC and USFS with a focus on:

• Maintenance / renewal of US Forest Service exterior boundary lines within USFS boundary line marking standards to verify oil and gas lease applications, as well as mining and prospecting claims
• Maintenance of existing USFS exterior boundary corners to USFS standards to ensure accuracy of all mineral lease applications by updating corner cards (manually and/or electronically)
• Collecting field data related to leasing and maintenance activities (manually and/or electronically)
• Other surveying and mapping land boundary activities, as needed, for accurately verifying current and future leasing of minerals

The projects are extremely arduous and require traversing very challenging terrain; will require a high level of physical fitness of participants. During inclement weather, and to provide a more enriching experience, shadowing other departments will be added as a beneficial experience for the crew.

Crew Life

• Crew Model: SECC Boundary Marking crews consist of 2 crew leaders and 2 crew members
• Hitch Schedule: Crews operate on a 9‑day, 5‑day off (Tuesday‑Wednesday) schedule. The first hitch of the season will be Monday‑Tuesday and will include training in skills and equipment needed for the season; the second hitch will be the beginning of the aforementioned schedule. Project days are 10‑hour shifts with two 15‑minute breaks, and one 30‑minute unpaid lunch scheduled each day.
• Camping: Crew members will camp in the front country or back country, depending on project needs.
• Housing, Food, and Transportation: This is a nonresidential program. Housing, food, and transportation are not provided in the off hitch. Members are responsible for providing their own lodging, food, and transportation when not in the field. Food and transportation will be provided when in the field. Dietary restrictions can be accommodated if communicated in advance.
• Gear: SECC will provide tools, group camp equipment, and personal protective equipment. Members must supply their own personal gear, including: day pack, water bottles, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, tent, and boots. SECC has a limited supply of gear to loan to members, but it may not fit personal preference or needs.

Required Qualifications

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident status
• Between the ages of 18‑30 (or up to the age of 35 for veterans)
• 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.
• General comfort with or prior experience in outdoor environments

Additional Required Qualities

• Ability to quickly acquire and learn new skills and techniques
• Ability to cooperate in a team with varied skills, abilities, and perspectives
• Willing to spend long days in challenging environments
• Minimum Qualifications: Willingness to commit fully to the program and its mission
• Physically fit and able to perform long days in adverse conditions
• Leadership experience with youth or young adults
• Excellent organizational & communication skills
• Must be able to demonstrate strong project management skills
• Strong time‑management skills and ability to collaborate independently as well as with others
• Ability to effectively and efficiently manage all aspects of crew life and production within a hitch schedule
• Flexibility, adaptability and capacity to thrive in a fluid, changing 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
• Experience with backpacking, wilderness living and travel, and LNT principles
• Must be over the age of 21 OR have possessed a driver’s license for 3 or years more without any restrictions (to pass minimum insurability requirements for crew transport driving duties).

Preferred Qualifications

• Background with experiential and/or environmental education
• Experience with SECC, other conservation corps or youth corps
• Experience with backcountry navigation
• Experience with ArcGIS and/or Survey 123 systems
• Current and relevant certification in Wilderness Medicine (WFA, WAFA, WFR) with CPR/AED
• Facilitation and team‑building experience
• Eagerness to take part in various conservation‑based projects

Our Commitment

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 accommodations due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.

Time Requirements

This position is expected to serve from 01/18/2027 to 04/30/2027, but exact service schedules may vary. 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.

Crew members will receive training and certifications in: Wilderness First Aid.

Benefits

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $1,956.35 upon successful completion of the program
• Living Allowance of $480 per week
• Additional Benefit of $170 per week
• Public Land Corps Hiring Authority Certificate upon successful completion of hours
• Food & transportation provided while in the field
• Uniform shirts & personal protective equipment provided
• Developmental opportunities when available

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.

Contact

Any questions can be addressed to:

Rhett Robinson- Program Coordinator

[e-mail]

Equality

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.