Stream Restoration Felling & Rigging Crew- Staff Crew Leader II

Title: Stream Restoration Felling & Rigging Crew- Staff Crew Leader II 

Reports to: Program Coordinator, Program Director  

Location: Crew will be based out of Chattanooga, TN, camping and serving within the Cherokee National Forest   

Status: Seasonal, Full-time, Exempt, Camping Program   

Dates: 01/12/2026-05/01/2026 (with options to extend service through the 2026 season) 

Wages: $925-1125/week, depending on prior experience and certifications.    

Health Benefits: Medical benefit options may be available for individuals serving 6 months or longer  

Other Benefits: United States Forest Service-recognized chainsaw certification, Rigging training, First Aid/CPR, 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, 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.    

SECC, 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. 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 ethnic and economic backgrounds. 

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 vary but 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.   

SECC camping crews serve and camp overnight in front country and/or backcountry locations, depending on the project, often in challenging weather conditions. While hitch schedules vary by project and location, they typically follow a 9-day on, 5-day off pattern, with 10-hour shifts and scheduled breaks throughout the day. While we aim to maintain consistency, flexibility is expected as schedules, times, and project locations are subject to change based on project needs.   

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. 

Position Summary:   

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. 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.  

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. 

Service Project:  

SECC and the Cherokee National Forest have partnered to host a Stream Restoration Felling & Rigging Crew. The crew will be based out of SECC’s office in Chattanooga, TN and travel to complete conservation service projects along the Citico Creek Watershed and other streams in the Cherokee National Forest. The crew will be managed by the Cherokee National Forest and will support their fisheries biologists and hydrologists.  

Crew members will collaborate as a team to assist in activities that support native fish and other important aquatic resources on the Cherokee National Forest, TN. The primary focus of the season will be habitat improvement through strategic wood placement on select streams utilizing grip hoist rigging techniques and chainsaws to selectively place trees into stream channels.  

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 through difficult terrain while carrying gear (up to 50lbs) to remote work sites for the day. We ask that crew members embrace learning opportunities, face challenges, and build community with their crew.  

Project Duties:  

• With appropriate training and under the guidance of a crew leader, use tools (chainsaws, grip hoist, hand tools, pulleys, levers) to place trees into streams to create woody habitat structures for aquatic species. Although orientations will be implemented, applicants with a strong background in chainsaw felling and rigging are encouraged to apply.
• Transport gear (up to 50lbs/crew member) daily across difficult terrain
• Collaborate as a team with a high degree of coordination and communication
• Keep a positive attitude and follow directions while conducting physically demanding projects, often in inclement weather.
• Maintain equipment and report maintenance/equipment needs to supervisor.
• Collaborate on field design and implementation of structures to enhance stream morphology.
• Operate in areas with no cellular service.
• Perform all duties with safety as top priority.
• Maintain a high level of integrity while in the field.

Note: While the staff at SECC and partners strive to provide consistency throughout the season, personal flexibility is expected and should be prepared for when entering the term as schedules, times, and project locations are subject to change per project needs. 

Opportunities to Extend Your Service 

SECC’s winter crew members have the opportunity to focus on developing their technical and interpersonal skills throughout their season to prepare for taking on potential member or leadership roles with SECC during the remainder of the year. Please be prepared to discuss your interest in continuing your service through summer/fall. 

Crew Life:   

SECC crews consist of 4-6 crew members and 2 crew leaders who provide project expertise, mentorship, training, and support to ensure the success of all participants. Food is provided while in the field, and crew members collaborate to plan meals and share chores, such as cooking and washing dishes. Most dietary restrictions can be accommodated if communicated in advance. Crew members must be prepared to camp, travel, complete service projects, and share meals as a team. No drug or alcohol consumption is allowed during service-related activities or travel at any time.   

Crew members will need to supply their own personal equipment such as a day pack, work pants, hiking/work boots, etc. SECC will provide tools, protective gear and transportation between SECC office and project sites. SECC has a limited supply of loaner gear available for crew members to borrow. While this gear can be helpful, we strongly recommend that members bring as much of their own gear as possible, as the loaner equipment may not fully meet personal preferences or specific needs. 

SECC 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 areas such as professionalism, responsibility and leadership, communication, engagement, productivity, safety, and equipment use. Crew Members will also be asked to evaluate their Crew Leaders’ performance, the overall program, and their experience at the end of their term.  

Hitch Schedule:     

This position will operate on a variable “hitch” schedule, but generally it will follow 9 days on and 5 days off for camping crews. Project days follow a 10-hour shift with scheduled time for breaks. While the staff at SECC strive to provide consistency throughout the season, personal flexibility is expected and should be prepared for when entering the term as schedules, times, and project locations are subject to change per project needs.  Applicants should be prepared to camp during hitches for the duration of the season, with lodging provided on a case-by-case basis if necessary.    

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. 

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

Participant Behavior Expectations:    

Expectations for SECC Corpsmembers:    

Teamwork & Responsibilities: serve effectively as part of a team by assisting with meal preparation, camp chores, and group discussions on corps-related topics.   

Professionalism & Conduct: be punctual, hardworking, flexible, and complete all assigned tasks. Always represent SECC and AmeriCorps in a professional manner when interacting with the public and project partners. 

Positive Environment: contribute to a positive and safe environment, free from harassment. Demonstrate teamwork and respect for fellow members, partners, the public, and the land. 

Physical Readiness: be prepared for strenuous physical labor in both frontcountry and remote backcountry locations, in all-weather conditions.  

Personal Gear & Housing: Provide your 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 camping equipment, tools, protective gear, and transportation between the SECC office and project sites. You are responsible for securing and paying for housing when not in the field. 

Corps Values: strive for an experience grounded in the corps values of challenge, stewardship, dedication, community, and integrity. 

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.
• Understand and integrate Conservation Legacy’s DEI vision and values (diversity, equity, and inclusion) within crew community context.
• 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 solve 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 for 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.

Minimum Qualifications:   

• Must hold a valid B faller USFS chainsaw certification.
• Full commitment to the program and its mission.
• Understanding of and experience with the mission and field management considerations of conservation corps and public land agencies.
• Leadership, management, and supervisory experience with youth or young adults.
• Must hold current advanced medical certification (for backcountry crews: 80 hours Wilderness First Responder with CPR/AED or higher; for front country crews: 24 hours Wilderness First Aid with CPR/AED or higher) or be willing to receive certification prior to start date.
• Ability to effectively manage all aspects of crew life and production within a 40-50+-hour work week including managing projects, camping, and programmatic policies and integrity throughout.
• Flexibility, adaptability, and capacity to work in a fluid, changing work environment.
• Willingness to participate in community-building activities and solution-oriented problem solving with peer leaders.
• Able to work long days in adverse conditions.
• Must be able to speak, understand and write English.
• High School diploma or GED certificate.
• Must over the age of 21 or have possessed a driver’s license for 3 or years more without any restrictions (to pass minimum insurability requirements for crew transport driving duties).

Preferred Qualifications or a Strong Desire to Grow in the Following:   

• Rigging for trail work experience
• Experience with experiential and/or environmental education.
• Experience with backpacking, wilderness living and travel.
• Facilitation and team-building experience with diverse groups of people.
• Time-management skills and ability to work independently as well as with others.
• Strong conflict resolution skills.
• Technical trails, Crosscut or Chainsaw experience.
• Sense of humor, spirit of adventure, and desire to make a positive difference and promote leadership in others.

Substance Free: 

In accordance with a drug free environment, alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in AmeriCorps and program activities and while on organization property.