Chainsaw Crew Leader

Position Title: Conservation Saw Crew Leader II

Conservation Legacy Program: CCNC

Site Location: Reports to Bahama, NC

Wages:  $925-$1125/Week, based on prior experiences and certifications

Terms of Service:

• Start Date: September 22nd, 2025
• End Date: November 19th, 2026

Priority application date: July 16th, 2025

Purpose:

The mission of Conservation Corps North Carolina (CCNC) as an AmeriCorps program is to empower young adults through meaningful outdoor work that benefits North Carolina’s land and water and creates healthy communities.      

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.   

The Crew Leader II position is an opportunity to make a difference in young peoples’ lives while completing conservation projects on public and private lands. Leaders will be mentors, educators, and facilitators for young adults, working to promote the health and resiliency of our land, air, and water. 

Description of Duties:

The Crew Leader II position requires patience, a consistently positive mental attitude, mentorship, technical aptitude, focus on efficiency, and a high level of competence in the outdoors. It also involves an administration role, where weekly paperwork is due in a timely manner to supervisors. Finally, crew leaders must exhibit the ability to effectively work on diverse teams and those from a variety of populations and communities.  

CCNC’s chainsaw crews work with a variety of partners across the state of North Carolina. This position may use chainsaws, brush cutters, hand saws, loppers, and a variety of mechanical/non-mechanical and chemical tools to remove plant species, remove hazard trees, and improve timber stands. Additionally, the crew should expect to work on rugged terrain in inclement weather with technical, advanced cutting operations. The work will be arduous and fast-paced in areas of high exposure.

Standard schedule generally consists of 9 days on-hitch (out in the field as a crew unit) and 5 days off with some exceptions. Crew Leaders may also be required to come in for an additional day each hitch cycle to complete administrative duties and check-ins with program staff. On-hitch, crews camp together, prepare all meals together, and work together as a group to complete all projects and chores. 

Responsibilities:   

Leadership & Mentorship  

• Mentor assistant crew leader (or Crew Leader in Development Program CLDP): provide valuable feedback, give opportunities for growth, delegate responsibilities, and encourage technical and leadership skill development.
• Implement skills training on worksite 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 safe, healthy, cohesive, other-centered and team-oriented community.
• Follow and enforce all policies, maintain professional boundaries, and appropriately represent the program. This includes creating a substance free work environment, refraining from the use of tobacco products, alcohol, and drugs while involved in the program.

Project Management & Implementation   

• Train, motivate and supervise a crew of young adults to efficiently complete tasks and objectives outlined in conservation projects, while working long hours and managing high quality of work and crew morale.
• Think critically to resolve issues and problems, requesting assistance or help when needed.
• Communicate & coordinate logistics with project partners, Assistant Crew Leader (or Crew Leader in Development), & staff

Safety & Risk Management   

• Monitor, manage, and promote the holistic health of the crew, including physical and emotional (intimidation free community environment) safety.
• Exhibit strong situational awareness & promote a culture of safety.
• Transport crew and equipment safely in organizational vans or large SUVs with trailers in accordance with CL Driver policy.
• Manage and document incidents in the field and activate incident response system, if needed, per Conservation Legacy policy.

Administration   

• Thorough documentation of crew hours, accomplishments, disciplinary actions taken, and incident response according to Conservation Legacy policy and procedure
• Manage food budget and credit card purchases.
• Track and submit credit card receipts for all expenses every month.

Camp Management 

• Oversee, manage, and assign camp chores (or camp tasks).
• Monitor and manage crew community needs in camp.
• Instruct crew in how to create a safe, hygienic, and tidy camp environment while mitigating crew caused impacts to campsites, practicing minimum impact camping techniques.
• Maintain all program policies and procedures in camp environment.
• Leading a camping crew is an intensive commitment requiring a continuous physical presence. Leaders must remain physically present, and cognitively and emotionally available to support community and individual crew member needs.

Qualifications:

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.
• Have an Faller B Chainsaw Certification (or readiness to evaluate as one)
• Ability 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 ad 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 able to speak, understand and write English
• High School diploma or GED certificate
• Must be 21, have a clean driving record (insurable by Conservation Legacy) and a current driver’s license.
• Must be able to pass Conservation Legacy’s criminal history check requirements

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Must hold current/relevant Wilderness First Aid Certification or basic first aid with CPR, or be able to acquire during or before crew training
• Experience with CCNC or other conservation corps
• Experience with experiential and/or environmental education
• Experience with backpacking, wilderness living and travel, and LNT principles.
• Facilitation and team-building experience with diverse groups of people
• Strong time-management skills and ability to work independently as well as with others
• Desire to work on a variety of conservation-based projects
• Strong conflict resolution skills
• Leadership experience with youth or young adults
• Rigging experience
• Technical trail experience
• Sense of humor, spirit of adventure, and desire to make a positive difference and promote leadership in others.

Our Commitment:

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential functions. Some positions may require periodic overnight travel, non-traditional 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. Ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. 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.

Time Requirements:

• Typically, this position is expected to serve Tuesday to the following Wednesday (9 Days), but exact service schedules may vary. A half hour lunch break will not be counted towards hours.
• Member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service 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.  Some equipment is available to borrow throughout the season, but Crew Members are asked to supply as much of their own personal gear as possible. A gear list is provided upon acceptance into the program. In addition to providing food while in the field, CCNC will provide group camp equipment, tools, protective gear, and transportation between Camp Slocum and project sites. 

Benefits:

• Wages: $925-$1125/week, depending on prior experiences and certifications

Supervisor/Staff Name and Contact Information:

Malloy James

Program Manager

mjames@conservationlegacy.org 

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.