Croatan Vegetation Management Crew Leader

Position Title: Croatan Vegetation Management Crew Leader II

Conservation Legacy Program: Conservation Corps North Carolina

Site Location: Based out of Bahama, North Carolina-service projects in the Croatan National Forest

Terms of Service:

Start Date: 08/27/2026
End Date: 11/18/2026

(Season end dates may vary depending on crew assignment, project timelines, and organizational needs. Final service dates will be confirmed upon placement) 

Organizational Summary: 

Conservation Legacy is a nationwide non-profit.  The Corps programs within the organization engage participants in diverse 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.  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.

Position Details:

This position, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, will assist the crew in completing projects within the Croatan National Forest. During the planting season, the crew will focus on native tree/shrub planting, site preparation, and seedling protection to support ecosystem restoration efforts across the forest. Following the planting season, the crew will transition to vegetation management work using hand tools such as loppers, hand saws, brush cutters, and herbicide application tools to control invasive or competing vegetation and maintain planting sites. The crew leader and ACL for this crew will be responsible for any chainsaw operation the project requires. Most work will focus on tasks requiring hand tools or brush cutters, so crew leaders will be chainsaw trained. Crew members will not be chainsaw trained. Crew members should expect to work on rugged terrain in inclement weather, performing repetitive and physically demanding tasks in a fast-paced outdoor environment.

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. 

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 teams with those from a variety of populations and communities.

Project Work

Project types may include:

• Timber stand improvement and other ecological restoration techniques.
• Debris removal and corridor clearing in impacted areas.
• Removal of invasive, non-native plant species.
• Hazard fuel reduction and vegetation management using chainsaws, brush cutters, hand saws, loppers, and other tools.

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.
• Ability to commit fully to the program and its mission.
• Understanding and experience with the mission and field management considerations of conservation corps and public land agencies.
• To qualify for the Chainsaw Crew Leader Position, you must have a Faller B Chainsaw Certification (or be ready to evaluate as one).
• Applicants must hold a current Wilderness First Aid with CPR/AED or higher) at least two weeks prior to the start date. Certification must 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.)
• 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 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 have a current driver’s license.
• Must be able to pass Conservation Legacy’s criminal history check requirements

Preferred Qualifications: 

• 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.
• A 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 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 from 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.

 

Orientation and Training:

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

 

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:

Contact information: 

Drew Gotwals 

agotwals@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.