GRD Helene Recovery Trail Assistant Crew Leader-AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy; Old Fort (NC); On-site; USD 4,000 - 6,400; Full time

Job summary

Conservation Legacy is seeking an AmeriCorps Helene Recovery Trail Assistant Crew Leader for CCNC, based in Old Fort, NC. The role supports Hurricane Helene recovery in Pisgah National Forest with saw work, trail repair, and construction while mentoring Crew Members under the Crew Leader.

You will work a 9 days on/5 days off hitch, 10-hour days, and plan meals and field logistics. Certifications in chainsaw operation and Wilderness First Aid are required or obtained during the term.

Qualifications

• US citizenship or eligible to work in the US
• At least 17 years old
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Wilderness First Aid/CPR-First Aid certification required by start date
• Current valid driver’s license and ability to drive program vehicles
• Willingness to commit to AmeriCorps term and schedule (40 hours/week)

Responsibilities

• Support hurricane disaster recovery efforts in Grandfather Ranger District.
• Operate a chainsaw to fell hazard trees and buck trees from trails.
• Reopen and repair storm-impacted trails and construct new trail features.
• Serve as ACL, facilitate Crew Member experience, and assist Crew Leader with project management and logistics.
• Work in challenging terrain and in varying weather, with a 9 days on/5 days off hitch.

Skills

Chainsaw operation

Wilderness First Aid

Safety awareness

Team leadership

Effective communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Wilderness First Aid certification

Chainsaw certification

Job description

Description

Position Title: Helene Recovery Trail Assistant Crew Leader- AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Conservation Corps North Carolina

Site Location: Based out of Old Fort, North Carolina with service projects throughout the Grandfather Range District.

Terms of Service:

• Start Date: 01/25/2027
• End Date: 04/21/2027
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 300 Hours

Purpose:

Organizational Summary:

Conservation Legacy is a nationwide non-profit. The Corps programs within the organization engage participants in a variety conservation and community projects that serve public and private lands. These projects provide opportunities for personal and professional development and strive toward a high priority of needs for public land managers and community partners. Through the mission of engaging future leaders who protect, restore and enhance our nation’s lands through community-based service; Conservation Legacy works toward a world with healthy lands, air and water; thriving people and resilient communities.

Program Summary:

Conservation Corps North Carolina empowers young adults through meaningful outdoor work that benefits North Carolina’s land and water and fosters healthy communities. A program of Conservation Legacy, CCNC partners with public land managers and community organizations across the state to engage motivated individuals—typically ages 15–30—in challenging and impactful conservation service projects. These projects may include trail construction and maintenance, habitat restoration, hazard fuel reduction, invasive species removal, and other technical conservation work. CCNC crews and individual placements gain hands-on experience, professional development, and the opportunity to positively impact North Carolina’s natural resources and communities.

Description of Duties:

Position Summary:

This position will directly support Hurricane Helene disaster recovery efforts in the Grandfather Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest. Projects will focus on saw work, reopening and repairing storm-impacted trails, trail maintenance and new construction, including rock and timber structures. The crew leader and ACL for this crew will be responsible for operating a chainsaw to fell hazard trees and buck trees out of trail. Additionally, the crew should expect to work on rugged terrain in inclement weather. The work will be arduous and fast-paced in areas of high exposure.

Assistant Crew Leaders (ACLs) are primarily responsible for facilitating a positive Crew Member experience. The ACL is a full partner in the crew’s leadership; helping the crew leader to communicate directions, projects specifications and constructive criticism throughout the term. This position requires open dialog with the Staff Crew Leader; assisting them with project management, project partners communications, overall logistics, and crew assignments.

ACLs set the example of how to work hard with enthusiasm through all kinds of conditions, meanwhile practicing good judgement and safety. ACLs are co-responsible for 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 be flexible with changing schedules, weather conditions, and project needs. Since this is a seasonal position, ACLs are asked to fully commit to the experience, expectations, and timeline.

Crew members should expect physically demanding work on rugged, uneven terrain in inclement weather. Projects may involve steep slopes, remote locations, high exposure, and fast-paced workdays. Required certifications (such as chainsaw operation and Wilderness First Aid) will vary by crew assignment and will be provided or required as appropriate.

Crews are typically composed of 1 Staff Crew Leader, 1 AmeriCorps Assistant Crew Leader, and 4 AmeriCorps Members. Members will gain extensive experience in vegetation management techniques, and ecological restoration, while living and working outdoors in a team-based, immersive setting.

This position will operate on a variable “hitch” schedule of 9 days on and 5 days off for camping crews. Workdays follow a 10-hour shift with scheduled time for breaks. While the staff at CCNC work to provide consistency throughout the season, personal flexibility is expected and should be prepared for when entering the term as schedules, times, and work locations are subject to change per project needs.

Food is provided while in the field and crews can accommodate most dietary restrictions. Crews work together to plan meals and complete all necessary chores. 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 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 the term.

Project Work:

• Trail clearing using chainsaws to clear hazard trees and buck trees out of trail
• Reopening blocked trail corridors and restoring public access
• Trail construction and maintenance (tread work, drainage features, steps, retaining walls)

Expectations:

CCNC is an independent, non-residential program. Crew Members 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 Crew Members are asked to supply as much of their own personal outdoor gear (day pack, work pants, hiking/work boots, etc.) as possible. A gear list is provided upon acceptance into the program. CCNC will provide group equipment, tools, protective gear, and transportation between Bahama, NC and project sites.

Crew Members are asked to work hard, stay positive, and be flexible with changing schedules, weather conditions, and project needs. This is a seasonal position; Crew Members are asked to fully commit to the experience, expectations, and timeline.

Once Crew Members are selected and prior to their start date, they 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.

Participation and Expedition Behavior:

• Work effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions. This may require problem solving on an interpersonal or group level as well as a willingness to accept differences.
• Contribute to a safe learning environment; no harassment of others for any reason.
• Ability to drive CCNC Crew vehicles & trailers.
• 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.
• Effectively communicate ideas and concerns as they arise directly to supervisors, colleagues, and organization staff.
• Have the cognitive ability to learn necessary skills and apply them to effectively carry out the service work requirements.
• Appropriately represent the Program and AmeriCorps to the public and project partners at all times.

Safety and Judgment:

• Effectively communicate danger to others in the form of either a warning 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.
• Effectively perceive, understand, and follow directions by others so that you will be able to successfully execute appropriate and perhaps unfamiliar techniques to manage hazards. These directions may be given before the hazard is encountered or may need to be given during exposure to the hazard.
• Stay alert and focused for several hours at a time while traveling and working in varied weather conditions.
• Perceive and comprehend significant and apparent hazards, including those hazards previously identified by others.
• Respond appropriately to stress or crises.
• If taking prescription medications, participants must be able to maintain proper dosage by self-medicating without assistance from others.

Outdoor Skills and Fitness:

• 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.
• 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 to reach the nearest advanced medical care.

Qualifications:

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
• At least 17 years of age
• 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.
• Applicants must hold a current Wilderness First Aid (WFA) or CPR/First Aid certification at least two weeks prior to the start date. Certification should be valid for the duration of the season. CCNC will reimburse up to $150 for participants who need to obtain or renew their certification before the season begins. (Higher-level medical certifications such as WAFA, WFR, or EMT are also accepted.)
• Willingness to commit fully to the program and its mission
• Ability to effectively manage all aspects of crew life and production within a 40-50-hour work week
• Flexibility, adaptability and capacity to work in a fluid, changing work 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
• Physically fit and able to work long days in adverse conditions
• Must be 21, have a clean driving record (insurable by Conservation Legacy) and a current driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous corps or crew experience
• Chainsaw experience
• Experience with camping/backpacking
• Adaptability
• Professionalism
• Community-Building ethic

Our Commitment:

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full consideration of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided 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:

• Typically, this position is expected to serve 40 hours per week, Tuesday to the following Wednesday, but exact service schedules may vary. A half hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service.
• Member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.

Orientation and Training:

• Member will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
• US Forest Service Developing Thinking Sawyers Training
• 2 days of Chainsaw Presentations
• 5 days of Chainsaw Cut Days to test for B-feller or A-feller certification

Benefits: