Boundary Marking Crew Member

Boundary Marking Crew Member  

Location: Based out of Bahama, NC but will be camping and working in various locations across North Carolina.

Season Dates: September 3rd, 2024 through November 20th, 2024.  

Status: Full-time, seasonal 450-hour AmeriCorps National Service position

Stipend: $600/week ($400/wk for stipend, $200/wk for housing), paid biweekly, including a Segal Education Award of $1824.07 upon completion of program.

Hitch Schedule: 9 days on, 5 days off

 Questions? Contact Stephanie Dunton at sdunton@conservationlegacy.org

**You must upload a resume in addition to your application**

Priority Application Date: June 24th, 2024. Our staff will start viewing and reaching out after June 24th, 2024.  

CCNC is a program of Conservation Legacy that partners with public land managers in North Carolina to engage motivated young adults (ages 18-30) to complete challenging and impactful conservation service projects throughout the region. Projects may include trail construction & maintenance, habitat improvement, hazard fuel reduction, and ecological restoration. Crews may also complete technical and/or specialized projects depending on project partner needs, including disaster relief if the opportunity arises.

Position Summary

Crew members are essential part of the crew, working together as a team under the leadership of crew leaders. The crew member is the quintessential “boots on the ground”: being the driving force behind the crew moving forward and completing projects. Crew members are expected to hold themselves accountable to complete project work as requested by the crew leader/site supervisor, as well as working together as a team with their fellow crew members, ensuring a positive, inclusive environment in which all can learn and grow. Crew members are representatives of both AmeriCorps and Conservation Corps North Carolina and should hold themselves to a high standard of behavior, work ethic, and conservation values.

Project Work:

Conservation Corps North Carolina will be partnering with North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission (WRC) to mark WRC property boundaries in Western North Carolina. The 6-person crew will use digital and physical maps to navigate rugged terrain and mark boundary lines with paint, stickers and plaques on trees and other natural features. Marking boundary lines on digital maps will also be required. Hiking and navigating through rugged terrain with little to no established trails in inclement weather will be a frequent task for the crew. All participants will receive on-the-job training the during the first hitch of their season. The projects are extremely arduous and require traversing very challenging terrain; project work requires a high level of physical fitness of participants.

Work will vary based on the priorities and direction of the host site but will focus on: 

• The renewal/maintenance of Wildlife Resource Commission (WRC) exterior boundary lines to WRC boundary line marking standards
• The maintenance of existing WRC exterior boundary corners to WRC standards to ensure accuracy of said boundaries
• Other surveying and mapping land boundary activities as needed for verifying the accuracy of boundary lines

Position Summary:

While the Boundary Marking crew member position is an entry-level role, prior experience working in the outdoors or experience with hiking, backpacking, and/or camping in rugged terrain is a requirement. Crew members are supported on a variety of levels, by their crew leaders, program staff, and project partners. While the staff at CCNC and partners 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. We ask that crew members embrace learning opportunities, face challenges, and build community with their crew.

Crews work in front country and backcountry locations in all weather conditions. The hitch schedule for this position is 9 days out in the field, followed by 5 days off. Depending on project work and location, other schedule variations may be implemented.

Schedule:

CCNC field crews consist of 4 crew members and 2 crew leaders who provide project expertise, mentorship, training, and support for the success of all participants. Field Crews will meet at Camp Slocum (located north of Durham, NC), travel in a crew vehicle to their project site prior to the hitch start and return to Camp Slocum after the hitch ends to derig. and remain in the field for 9 days at a time, followed by 5 days off. While in the field, Crew Members work 8-10 hours a day. Each workday includes two fifteen-minute breaks and a half hour lunch break. 

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

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. Crew Members must supply their own personal outdoor gear and equipment such as a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, day pack, multi-day pack, work pants, hiking/work boots, etc. Some materials can be borrowed from CCNC; however, needs must be discussed prior to start date. CCNC will provide group camp equipment, tools, protective gear and transportation between Camp Slocum and project sites.  This is a seasonal position. Crew Members are asked to fully commit to the experience, and expectation. While serving a term of National Service, CCNC crews are expected to work in diverse team settings.  Respect for all members of the program, our partners, the public and the land they are visiting is expected.

 Onboarding:

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 prior to the onboarding process. 

To Apply:

A resume must be attached to the application. Submitting a cover letter is optional.

Benefits:

• $400/wk for stipend, $200/wk for housing, paid biweekly
• Wilderness First Aid certification[DE1] [MJ2]  (if you do not already possess a valid certification for the duration of the season)
• AmeriCorps Segal Education Award of $1824.07 upon successful completion of service term (can be used for paying off federal student loans or paying tuition for a Title IV accredited college)
• Members may be eligible for student loan forbearance.
• Member Assistance Program– 3 free sessions of support with a counseling or work-life balance specialist
• Uniform shirts, helmet, work gloves, eye protection, and other necessary safety equipment is provided.
• Leadership-focused, on-the-job training
• Assistance may be available for getting Crew Members the outdoor gear needed to participate.
• Depending upon the academic institution and program, Crew Member positions may fulfill internship requirements.
• Professional development opportunities (mentorship, resume support, alumni listserv, etc.)
• Exposure to natural resource career paths and opportunities.

General Qualifications:  

• Be between the ages of 18 and 30 (exception for Veterans up to age 35)
• Have US Citizenship or Legal Permanent Residency status.
• Have a high school diploma or GED.
• Pass background checks: all offers of positions are conditional upon completion of an acceptable check of the National Sex Offender Public Registry and Federal and/or State criminal background check.
• Must be eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award (individuals are eligible if they have not already completed 2 full years of AmeriCorps service, or 4 AmeriCorps service terms, whichever comes first – please contact us if you are unsure of your eligibility)
• A general comfort and previous knowledge of working/living in an outdoor setting is helpful.
• Must come in with a WFA certification (or be able to participate in the WFA training the week before start, camping space be provided)

 Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous conservation or Corps experience
• Demonstrated initiative
• Wilderness First Aid certification or higher (or the ability to obtain one before hire date).
• Adaptability
• Professionalism
• Community-Building ethic

Participant Essential Eligibility Requirements  

Essential eligibility requirements for the program must be met. If you are unable to meet certain requirements, we may be able to assist you with some modification unless it alters the fundamental nature of the program, compromises the health and safety of participants or staff, or places an undue financial or administrative burden on the organization. These requirements are written the same for all positions and therefore may not apply directly to your position.  

Participation and Expedition Behavior

• CCNC expects all members to always represent the program in a professional manner.  Crew life will include our corps values of challenge, stewardship, dedication, community, integrity and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).  Members are expected to be timely, hardworking, flexible, and complete all functions of the tasks assigned, including tough physical labor, and hiking several miles to remote locations under adverse weather conditions.
• 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 difference.
• Contribute to a safe learning environment, no harassment of others for any reason.
• 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.

Safety and Judgment

• Effectively communicate danger to others in the form of either a warning of danger others may be encountering 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 direction 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 (where appropriate)

• Learn and safely perform fundamental outdoor living/travel and work skills as appropriate to the project. Additionally, remain adequately hydrated, fed, and properly dressed 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, but perhaps more than 12 hours, to reach the nearest advanced medical care.

Environmental Ethics:  

• Learn and practice ‘Leave no Trace’ techniques  

CCNC is a drug-free organization.  Alcohol and illegal substances are prohibited while participating in AmeriCorps/program activities and on CCNC, North Carolina State University, and program partner property.

 **You must upload a resume in addition to your application**

Any questions can be addressed to: 

Stephanie Dunton

Recruitment and Member Support Coordinator

sdunton@conservationlegacy.org 

“Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to hiring a breadth of diverse professionals and encourage members of diverse groups to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, political affiliation, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, 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 a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.”