Great Smoky Mountains Trail Crew– AmeriCorps Crew Member

Position Title: Great Smoky Mountains Trail Crew– AmeriCorps Crew Member 

Conservation Legacy Program: Southeast Conservation Corps  

Reports to:  Crew Leader, Program Coordinator 

Site Location: Crew will be based out of Chattanooga, TN, camping and serving within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park  

Terms of Service: 

• Start Date: 08/17/2026
• End Date: 10/09/2026
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 300

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

Benefits: 

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $1,565.08 upon successful completion of the program
• Living Allowance of $480 per week.
• Additional Benefit of $120 per week.

Other Benefits: Wilderness First Aid Training, food & transportation provided while in the field, uniform shirts, personal protective equipment, and other developmental opportunities when available.  

Crew Structure: 1 Crew Leader, 1 Assistant Crew Leader, 4 Crew Members 

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

Southeast Conservation Corps, a program of Conservation Legacy, is a non-profit AmeriCorps program. We engage youth (age 15-17) and young adults (ages 18-30, up to 35 for veterans) in service projects on public lands throughout the Southeast. SECC collaborates with land management agencies (United States Forest Service, National Park Service, State Parks, local municipalities, and non-profits) to host day or overnight camping crews and individual placements. 

Our AmeriCorps positions 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 backgrounds. 

SECC is an independent, non-residential program, and crew members are responsible for securing their own housing when not in the field. On-hitch, crews manage camp chores and prepare all their own meals, with evenings often including group discussions. Members must provide their own personal outdoor gear (e.g., tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, day pack, multi-day pack, work pants, hiking/work boots), while SECC provides group camp equipment, tools, protective gear and transportation between SECC Office and project sites.     

Description of Duties 

The crew member position is an entry-level role. During their time in the field, crew members camp overnight and serve outdoors in all weather conditions, performing heavy manual labor to complete conservation and restoration projects. Most projects require hiking out to remote work sites for the day with tools, equipment, and a day pack. While prior experience with the outdoors or outdoor work can be helpful, it is not a necessity for this position. We ask that crew members embrace learning opportunities, face challenges, and build community with their crew.  

Service Project: 

SECC and Great Smoky Mountains National Park have partnered to host a trail crew alongside the National Park Service Trail Crew. The primary focus of the project will be the restoration of the Bullhead Trail, with additional projects in various park locations. While the crew should expect to work on the lower portion of Bullhead Trail, this project is highly physically demanding. In addition to hiking 3-5 miles round trip per day there will be times participants will hike up to Mt. LeConte—an arduous level 5-mile trek each way with an elevation gain of approximately 3,000 feet—along with other tough hikes, all while carrying heavy loads of tools, equipment, and a day pack.  

The GRSM Trail Program Coordinator will lead the crew and oversee restoration efforts. 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
• Repair or installation of water structures along trails
• Campground maintenance
• Habitat restoration
• Community Service

Crew Life: 

• Crew Structure: SECC crews consists of 4 crew members and 2 crew leaders who will provide project expertise, mentorship, training, and support to ensure the success of all participants.
• Hitch Schedule: GRSM fall crew will operate on a Monday to Friday, 5 day on 2 day off hitch schedule with 10-hour shifts and scheduled breaks throughout the day. Travel days from and to SECC office (Mon/Fri). Project days on Bullhead Trail will take place Tues-Thurs. Most projects involve strenuous manual labor in all weather conditions and require hiking to and from the project sites daily, carrying tools and day packs.
• Camping: Frontcountry
• Housing: While on hitch, applicants should be prepared to camp throughout the season, with lodging provided on a case-by-case basis if necessary. Housing is not provided from Friday-Sunday evenings. Crew members are responsible for securing their own housing arrangements while not in the field.
• Food: Food is provided while in the field. Dietary restrictions can be accommodated if communicated in advance.
• Chores: Crew members collaborate to manage camp chores (planning meals, shopping, cooking, washing dishes, etc.) and participate in any group discussions.
• Gear: Members must supply their own personal outdoor gear (day pack, water bottle, work pants, hiking/work boots, tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, backpack). SECC has a limited supply of loaner gear available for crew members to borrow, but it may not fit personal preferences or specific needs. SECC will provide tools, group camp equipment, and personal protective equipment
• Transportation: SECC will provide transportation between SECC office and project sites.

**SECC is a nonresidential program. Housing is not provided during off-hitch (Friday-Sunday) evenings. Crew members are responsible for securing their own housing arrangements while not in the field. 

Requirements:     

Minimum Qualifications:       

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
• Must be between ages 18 and 30, or up to 35 if a military veteran.
• 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.

Preferred Qualifications:    

• General comfort with and prior experience in outdoor environments.

Orientation and Training Schedule: 

• Training Week: 08/17/2026 – 08/21/2026 (Monday-Friday schedule, includes AmeriCorps training). Members will be expected to arrive at the SECC office Monday morning and group camp for the week.
• First Hitch: Monday 08/24/2026 – Friday 08/28/2026 (crews will continue to operate on a Monday-Friday schedule for the entirety of their term, and housing will not be provided from Friday-Sunday nights)

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 August to October, but exact service schedules may vary. A half hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service
• Members may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.

Orientation and Training: 

• Members will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.

Evaluation and Reporting: 

As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of hours, the member has satisfactorily completed assignments, and if the member has met other performance criteria that were clearly communicated at the beginning of the term of service. 

Reporting requirements include, but are not limited to, bi-weekly timesheets and accomplishment tracking. 

Participant Behavior Expectations:    

Professionalism:    

• Be punctual, hardworking, and flexible. Appropriately represent SECC and AmeriCorps to the public and project partners at all times.

Participation:  

• Learn all necessary skills and apply them to complete all aspects of the program including conservation projects, education, training, and national service.
• Commit to participating in all crew/team activities, including service days in local communities where applicable.

Positive Atmosphere:  

• Contribute to a positive and safe culture, free from harassment.
• Demonstrate teamwork and respect for fellow members, partners, the public, and the land. This may require problem-solving on an interpersonal or group level and a willingness to accept differences.

Corps Values:  

• Strive for an experience grounded in the corps values of challenge, stewardship, dedication, community, and integrity.

Safety and Judgment:    

• Effectively communicate ideas, concerns, and danger as they arise directly to colleagues, supervisor, and program staff.
• Effectively perceive, understand, and follow directions by others so that you will be able to successfully execute appropriate techniques to manage hazards.
• Stay alert and focused for several hours at a time while traveling and serving 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:    

• Learn and safely perform fundamental outdoor living, travel, and industry 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 may vary significantly and may include severe and/or trying weather. The remoteness is such that it may require at least one hour, but perhaps in excess of 12 hours, to reach the nearest advanced medical care.
• Practice ‘Leave no Trace’ principles to preserve public spaces

Substance Free:  

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

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.