Boundary Marking AmeriCorps Assistant Crew Leader

HorseShoe Beverage Company; Chattanooga (TN); On-site; USD 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Conservation Legacy in Chattanooga, TN, seeks a Boundary Marking Assistant Crew Leader for the Southeast Conservation Corps AmeriCorps program. Based out of the SECC office, you will travel to USFS sites in the Southeast, supporting crew leadership and field boundary work.

Expect physically demanding field days, safety-first practices, and mentorship under a Staff Crew Leader to develop leadership and project management skills throughout the 450-hour AmeriCorps term.

Qualifications

• Candidate should have a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Demonstrated leadership experience and teamwork in outdoor settings.
• Strong organizational and communication skills are required.
• Ability to endure long days in challenging environments and maintain safety.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate a positive Crew Member experience and assist the Crew Leader.
• Help communicate directions, project specs, and feedback between crew and leadership.
• Assist with project management, logistics, and crew assignments.
• Uphold SECC safety standards and environmental stewardship.

Skills

Leadership experience

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Outdoor experience

Stamina

Education

High school diploma

Tools

ArcGIS

Survey123

Job description

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

Description

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

Southeast Conservation Corps AmeriCorps positions provide impactful educational and service opportunities that benefit both communities and landscapes. We encourage applications from across the nation but also recognize that Southeast Conservation Corps participants refle ct the population of the Southeast region - including youth, high school and college graduates, veterans, and individuals from various backgrounds.

The AmeriCorps Assistant Crew Leader (ACL) is responsible for facilitating a positiveCrew Memberexperience. 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 theStaffCrew Leader; helpingthemto manageprojects, projectpartnercommunications, overall logistics ,andcrew assignments. Our program model fosters a supportive learning environment where participantscanmaximize their opportunities to grow and developwhilegaining certifications to propel them into a career in environmental stewardship. It also creates an intentional space for groups thatare 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 forCrew 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 t hat 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.

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 US FS boundary line marking standards to verify oil and gas lease applications , as well as mining and prospecting claims
• M aintenance of existing US FS exterior boundary corners to US FS standards to ensure accuracy of all mineral lease applications by u pdating 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 o ff ( 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 begin ning 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 s 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 prov ided 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
• 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 accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager .

Time Requirements:

T his 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:

• Member s will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorp s prohibited and unallowable activities.
• Crew members will receive training and certifications in : Wilderness First Aid
• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $ 1,956.35 upon successful completion of the program
• Living Allowan ce of $ 480 per week
• Additional Benefit of $ 1 7 0 per week
• Public Land Corps Hiring Authority Certificate upon s uccessful 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.

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.