Cumberland Trail Crew: Assistant Crew Leader – AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy; Chattanooga (TN); On-site; USD 19,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

Entertimeonline in Chattanooga, TN seeks an AmeriCorps Cumberland Trail Crew Assistant Crew Leader to help lead field crews along the Cumberland Trail. Start 2027-01-18 to 2027-04-30, based out of the SECC office with camping and travel across eastern Tennessee.

You will work with the Staff Crew Leader to plan projects, supervise crew members, coordinate logistics, and ensure safety while delivering trail construction and maintenance tasks.

Qualifications

• US citizenship, US national, or lawful permanent resident status.
• Ages 18–30 (or up to 35 for veterans).
• High school diploma or equivalent; or intent to obtain before using the education award.
• Willing to undergo a National Service Criminal History Check.
• 2–4 seasons of technical trail construction and maintenance experience.
• Leadership experience with youth or young adults.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate a positiveCrew Member experience and support Crew Leader directions.
• Assist project planning, partner communications, and logistics for crews.
• Maintain safety, train, and mentor crew members; manage assignments.

Skills

Leadership experience

Project management

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Adaptability

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

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

Description

Position Title : Cumberland Trail Crew : Assistant Crew Leader – AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Southeast Conservation Corps

Site Location: B ased out of the SECC office in Chattanooga, TN, camping and serving in various locations along the Justin P. Wilson Cumberland Trail State Scenic Trail .

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 .

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 Cumberland Trail Conservancy and the Cumberland Trail State Park to host a Cumberland Trail Crew . The Cumberland Trail State Scenic Trail stretches roughly 300 miles across eastern Tennessee, providing users with access to waterfalls, overlooks, and a rugged experience. The Cumberland Trail Crew will build and maintain segments of the Cumberland Trail to finish connecting the route and maintaining the existing segments. The crew will be based out of SECC’s office in Chattanooga, TN and travel to complete various conservation projects across the Justin P. Wilson Cumberland Trail State Scenic Trail. The crew will be managed by land managers who will collaborate with crews to complete conservation projects. Crew members should expect a mix of primitive camping and front country camping.

Service projects vary depending on seasonal factors and safety considerations. While the staff at SECC and partners strive to provide consistency throughout the season, personal flexibility is expected and should be prepared for when entering the term as schedules, times, and project locations are subject to change per project needs. However, tasks may also include, but are not limited to:

Trail construction and maintenance

Invasive species removal

Community Service

Collaboration with CTC's Crew

Potential work with the volunteers and partnering agencies through CTC

Crew Life :

Crew Model : SECC crews consist of 2 crew leaders and 4 crew members

Hitch Schedule : Crews operate on a 9- day , 5- day o ff ( Tuesday -Wednesday) 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 primitive front country for the duration of the season, with lodging provided on a case-by-case basis.

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.

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

2-4 seasons of technical trail construction and maintenance experience

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

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 who attend the full two-week orientation period will receive training and certifications in : United States Forest Service- recognized chainsaw training and Wilderness First Aid

Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $ 1,956.35 upon successful completion of the program

Living Allowance of $ 480 per week

Additional Benefit of $ 1 7 0 per week

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.