Cumberland Trail Crew: Assistant Crew Leader - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy; Chattanooga (TN); On-site; USD 182,000 - 319,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Segal AmeriCorps Education Award

Living Allowance per week

Food & Transportation in field

Uniform shirts & PPE provided

Job summary

Conservation Legacy's Cumberland Trail Crew: Assistant Crew Leader – AmeriCorps is based out of Chattanooga, TN, serving along the Cumberland Trail. The ACL helps guide crew members, communicates directions, and supports project logistics while fostering a learning environment for growth and certifications in environmental stewardship.

Ideal candidates are 18-30 (35 for veterans), US citizens or eligible, with 2–4 seasons of trail experience and a strong emphasis on safety, teamwork, and

Qualifications

• Willingness to commit fully to the AmeriCorps term and mission.
• 2-4 seasons of technical trail construction and maintenance experience.
• Physically fit to perform long days in adverse conditions.
• Leadership experience with youth or young adults.
• Excellent organizational & communication skills.
• Must demonstrate strong project management skills.
• Strong time-management skills and ability to collaborate with others.
• Ability to manage crew life and production within a hitch schedule.
• Flexibility and adaptability in a fluid, changing environment.
• Willingness to learn and be part of a peer-led community.

Responsibilities

• Trail construction and maintenance.
• Corridor cleaning.
• Invasive species removal.
• Community Service and collaboration with CTC's Crew.
• Potential work with volunteers and partnering agencies.

Skills

Outdoor leadership

Teamwork

Communication

Safety awareness

Project management

Time management

Leadership experience

Flexibility

Willingness to learn

Trail/field work

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

Location: 2001 N. Chamberlain Ave., Chattanooga, TN, 37406, United States

Job Category: Conservation Crew, AmeriCorps

Industry: Conservation, Trails

Cumberland Trail Crew: Assistant Crew Leader – AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Southeast Conservation Corps

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

Start Date: 01/18/2027

End Date: 04/30/2027

AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 450 Hours

Purpose:

Southeast Conservation Corps works 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, project 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.

• 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 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


• Corridor cleaning


• 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 off (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 members 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 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


• 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


• Strong conflict resolution skills


• Relevant Bachelor’s Degree

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:

• 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 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.

Benefits:

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


• Living Allowance of $480 per week


• Additional Benefit of $17 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.