Camping Youth Conservation Corps- Assistant Crew Leader

Title:  AmeriCorps Assistant Crew Leader 

Crew: Youth Conservation Corps – Camping Crew  

Reports to: Crew Leader, Program Coordinator    

Location: Chattanooga, Tennessee    

Project Site: Cherokee National Forest – Ocoee Ranger District            

Season Dates: 05/26/2025 – 07/25/2025   

*Unpaid week off: 06/30/2025 – 07/06/2025. See below for full season schedule  

YCC Member & Parent Night: 05/28/2025  

Status: This is a full-time, seasonal, 8-week- 300-hour AmeriCorps National Service position.  

Stipend: $450/week AmeriCorps living allowance, plus $200/week additional benefit ($650/week total, pre-tax, disbursed bi-weekly)  

AmeriCorps Award: A $1,565.08 AmeriCorps Education Award upon successful completion of the program    

Other Benefits: Public Land Corps Hiring Authority Certificate (upon successful completion of hours), food & transportation provided while in the field overnight, uniform shirts, personal protective equipment, and other developmental opportunities as available.   

Crew Structure: 1 Crew Leader, 1 Assistant Crew Leader, 6 Crew Members.  

About Southeast Conservation Corps (SECC):    
Empowering youth and adults to cultivate compassion, responsibility and life skills through community service, hard work and land stewardship.     

SECC, a program of Conservation Legacy, is a non-profit affiliated with AmeriCorps. We engage youth (age 16-18) and young adults (ages 18-30, up to 35 for veterans) in service projects on public lands throughout the Southeast. Our programs provide impactful educational and service opportunities that benefit both communities and landscapes. SECC’s participants reflect the population of the Southeast region, including youth, graduates, veterans, and individuals from various ethnic and economic backgrounds. SECC is also an active member of the AmeriCorps Disaster Response Team (A-DRT), and selected crews may be deployed on disaster response projects lasting up to 30 days.  Youth Conservation Crew (YCC) programs take place throughout the state of Tennessee and neighboring states within the Southeast region. YCC programs are paid summer opportunities for regional youth, ages 16-18, to gain experience in conservation, learn on-the-job training, and have fun.    

SECC collaborates with land management agencies such as the United States Forest Service, National Park Service, State Parks, local municipalities, and non-profits to host day and camping crews. Our projects include trail construction and maintenance, restoration of natural areas, invasive species removal, fire fuels reduction, fencing, herbicide applications, and more. Most projects involve strenuous manual labor and require hiking to and from the project sites daily, carrying tools and day packs.   

Position Summary  

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, projects specifications and constructive criticism throughout the term.  This position requires open dialog with the Staff Crew Leader; helping them to manage projects, project partners 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. It also creates an intentional space for groups that are under-represented to step into conservation and natural resource management.     

• It means more than just showing up, it means setting an example of how to persevere with great enthusiasm through all kinds of conditions while practicing good judgement and safety. It means 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.

SECC’s YCC camping crew will engage members in a program that combines training and education with impactful conservation and service projects.  This program focuses on engaging regional youth in meaningful service and learning opportunities in their communities. Members will camp overnight in the field and complete service projects outdoors in all weather conditions, performing manual labor related to conservation and restoration. Potential tasks include, but are not limited to:  

• Trail construction and maintenance
• Corridor clearing
• Replacement of equestrian hitching posts
• Repair or installation of water structures along trails
• Signage installation and repainting blazes
• Habitat restoration
• Fence installation and repair
• Community Service

Service Project:    

SECC’s 2025 camping crew will complete service projects within the Ocoee Ranger District of the Cherokee National Forest. The YCC camping crew’s schedule is 6 weeks total. However, the season will be divided into 3-week hitches (what SECC calls time in the field), with weekends unpaid and off in the field, and a week off mid-season. During weekends in the field, members will have time to rest but are expected to recreate, travel, camp, and complete chores as a crew, with no solo time permitted. Evenings include group chores such as cooking, cleaning dishes, sharpening tools, etc., as well as participation in a variety of educational topics related to group and personal development, land stewardship, and conservation practices.    

Hitch Schedule:      

This position follows a variable “hitch” schedule, generally consisting of 5 days on and 2 days off camping in the field with scheduled time for group activities. Project days are 8-hour shifts with breaks. While SECC staff strive for consistency, flexibility is essential, as schedules, hours, and project locations may change based on project needs. Applicants should be prepared to camp during hitches throughout the season, with lodging provided on a case-by-case basis if necessary.     

The first hitch starts on a Sunday to account for travel time and extra time needed for members to arrive at the SECC office and get situated.   

Leader Training: 05/27/2025 – 05/30/2025 

Field Leader Training: 06/02/2025 – 06/05/2025 

Hitch 1: Sunday 06/08/2025 – Friday 06/27/2025 (3 weeks)  

• Week 1: 06/09/2025 – 06/13/2025
• Weekend off but still camping in field: 06/14/2025 – 06/15/2025
• Week 2: 06/16/2025 – 06/20/2025
• Weekend off but still camping in field: 06/21/2025 – 06/22/2025
• Week 3: 06/23/2025 – 06/27/2025
• Travel back to SECC office – 06/27/2025

Unpaid Week Off: 06/28/2025 – 07/06/2025  

Hitch 2: Monday 07/07/2025 – Friday 07/25/2025 (3 weeks)  

• Week 1: 07/07/2025 – 07/11/2025
• Weekend off but still camping in field: 07/12/2025 – 07/13/2025
• Week 2: 07/14/2025 – 07/18/2025
• Weekend off but still camping in field: 07/19/2025 – 07/20/2025
• Week 3: 07/21/2025 – 07/25/2025
• Travel back to SECC office – 07/25/2025

The crew members and leaders are responsible for supplying their own personal equipment such as a day pack, work pants, hiking/work boots, etc. SECC will supply camping gear and will share a comprehensive packing list once a position is offered.    

 Physical Requirements:  

Conservation Legacy is committed to fully including all qualified individuals and will provide reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities to perform essential functions. Some positions may require occasional overnight travel, non-traditional hours, the ability to navigate varied terrain, and the use of program-specific tools and technology. These positions may also involve exerting up to 25 pounds of force to lift, carry, push, pull, or move objects. In some cases, the ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may be required. If you need assistance or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please contact the hiring manager. 

General Requirements:    

• 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)

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 ages 15-18
• 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 21+, OR have a clean driving record for 3+years (insurable by SECC) and a current driver’s license

Preferred Qualifications:   

• 0-1 years’ experience with SECC, other conservation corps or youth corps
• Background with experiential and/or environmental education
• Current and relevant certification in Wilderness Medicine (WFA, WAFA, WFR) with CPR/AED
• Technical trail construction and maintenance experience
• Strong conflict resolution skills
• Relevant Bachelor’s Degree
• Sense of humor, spirit of adventure, and desire to make a positive difference and promote leadership in others

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    

• Frequently required to walk, hike, sit and talk or listen
• Required to use hands to operate objects, tools or controls, and to reach with hands and arms
• Regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds
• Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision and the ability to focus
• Required to drive an SECC vehicle
• Must be able to speak, understand, read and write English
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
• Ability to pass Conservation Legacy’s criminal history checks
• Must be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident and provide primary documentation to support this

Required Skills:   

Leadership & Mentorship:  

• Manage, supervise, and lead the day-to-day details of project tasks
• Implement skills training on project-site and facilitate intentional discussions via informal lessons to contribute to the crew’s personal growth and group dynamics
• Promote individual corps member development and a healthy, supportive community
• Must be willing to follow and enforce all SECC policies, maintain professional boundaries, and appropriately represent Southeast Conservation Corps. This includes creating a substance free environment, refraining from the use of tobacco products, alcohol, and drugs while involved in the program

Project Management & Implementation:  

• Train and motivate a crew of young adults to complete conservation projects efficiently on public lands
• Delegate project tasks & investment among co-leader and crew
• Manage on-the-ground quality and quantity of service project
• Think critically to resolve issues and solve problems
• Communicate effectively & coordinate logistics with project partners, co-leader, & SECC staff

Safety & Risk Management:   

• Monitor, manage, and promote the crew’s physical and emotional safety on and off the project site
• Exhibit strong situational awareness & promote a culture of safety
• Transport crew and equipment safely in SECC’s vans or large vehicles with trailers

Administration:  

• As delegated by Staff Crew Leader, complete professional documentation of time sheets, daily and weekly project reports, corps member and peer evaluations, incident reports, etc., and submit in a timely manner

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
• Exhibit strong situational awareness & promote a culture of safety

Environmental Ethics:   

• Learn, practice, and teach ‘Leave no Trace’ techniques

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 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, but perhaps in excess of 12 hours, to reach the nearest advanced medical care

   Substance Free:   

• Alcohol and drugs are prohibited during AmeriCorps and program activities, and on organization property, in accordance with a drug free environment.

Any questions can be addressed to:    

Carlyle Grundon  

Program Coordinator  

cgrundon@conservationlegacy.org  

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, 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.