Vegetation Crew Member

Vegetation Management Crew Member  

Location: Based out of Bahama, NC but will be camping and working in various locations across North Carolina.

Season Dates: March 12th, 2024 – May 29th, 2024 (options to extend service through summer season).

Status: Full-time, seasonal 450-hour AmeriCorps National Service position

Stipend: $600/week ($400/wk for stipend, $200/wk for housing), paid biweekly, including an $1,824.07 Segal Education Award upon completion of program.

Hitch Schedule: 9 days on, 5 days off

 Questions? Contact Stephanie Dunton at [email protected]

**You must upload a resume in addition to your application**

Priority Application Date: January 31st, 2024

Conservation Corps North Carolina: 

The mission of Conservation Corps North Carolina (CCNC) 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.   

Position Summary

Crew members are essential part of the crew, working together as a team under the leadership of crew leaders. The crew member is the quintessential “boots on the ground”: being the driving force behind the crew moving forward and completing projects. Crew members are expected to hold themselves accountable to complete project work as requested by the crew leader/site supervisor, as well as working together as a team with their fellow crew members, ensuring a positive, inclusive environment in which all can learn and grow. Crew members are representatives of both AmeriCorps and Conservation Corps North Carolina and should hold themselves to a high standard of behavior, work ethic, and conservation values.

Project Work:  

The Vegetation Management crew will work with the Croatan National Forest focusing specifically on vegetation management. This could include using a chainsaw to cut invasive plant species, manually pulling invasive plant species, applying herbicides to target invasive plants, brush cutting, tree planting, and other Forest Management practices relating to the continuing health of the ecosystem and native flora and fauna. During their time in the field, Crew Members camp overnight and work outdoors in all types of weather conditions, performing heavy manual labor related to environmental conservation and restoration projects. Most projects require hiking out to remote work sites for the day with tools, equipment, and day pack.

Schedule and Crew Life:  

CCNC field crews consist of 4 crew members and 2 crew leaders who provide project expertise, mentorship, training, and support for the success of all participants. Field Crews will meet at Camp Slocum (located north of Durham, NC), travel in a crew vehicle to their project site and remain in the field for 9 days at a time, followed by 5 days off. While in the field, Crew Members work 8-10 hours a day. Each workday includes two fifteen-minute breaks and a half hour break for lunch.  

Food is provided while in the field and crews can accommodate most dietary restrictions. Crews work together to plan meals and complete all necessary chores. Camp chores will be completed every evening, with many evenings including group discussions on conservation topics.  

CCNC 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 topic areas including Professionalism, Responsibility, Leadership, Communication, Community Engagement, Project Work, Safety, Organization, and Equipment. Crew Members will also be asked to evaluate their Crew Leaders’ performance, the overall program, and their experience at the end of their 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.  

Crew Members are asked to work hard, stay positive, and be flexible with changing schedules, weather conditions, and project needs. This is a seasonal position; Crew Members are asked to fully commit to the experience, expectations, and timeline. 

Onboarding:

Once Crew Members are selected and prior to their start date, they are required to complete an online enrollment process that includes completing e-forms, uploading IDs, enrolling with AmeriCorps, and beginning their background check process. For those with limited access to online platforms, accommodations may be available and can be discussed during the interview process.  

To Apply:
To be considered, a resume must be attached to the application. Submitting a cover letter is optional.

Benefits:  

• $400/week living stipend, with a $200/week housing stipend paid bi-weekly  
• AmeriCorps Segal Education Award upon successful completion of service term (can be used for paying off federal student loans or paying tuition for a Title IV accredited college) 
• US Forest Service Chainsaw Certification
• Members may be eligible for student loan forbearance 
• Member Assistance Program – 3 free sessions of support with a counseling or work-life balance specialist 
• Uniform shirts, helmet, work gloves, eye protection, and other necessary safety equipment is provided 
• On-the-job training provided
• Assistance may be available for getting Crew Members the outdoor gear needed to participate 
• Depending upon the academic institution and program, Crew Member positions may fulfill internship requirements 
• Professional development opportunities (mentorship, resume support, alumni listserv, etc) 
• Exposure to natural resource career paths and opportunities 

General Qualifications:  

• 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) 
• No previous experience is required, but a general comfort and previous knowledge of working/living in an outdoor setting is helpful.    
•  Ability to use a chainsaw, and other equipment frequently on rugged terrain and in inclement weather
• Must come in with a First Aid Certification/CPR (or be able to participate in the WFA training the week before start, camping space be provided).

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, 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:  

• Work effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions. This may require problem solving on an interpersonal or group level as well as a willingness to accept differences. 
• Contribute to a safe learning environment, no harassment of others for any reason. 
• Willingness and ability to complete all aspects of the program including conservation projects, education, training, and national service. Members must commit to participating in all crew/team activities, including service days in local communities where applicable. 
• Effectively communicate ideas and concerns as they arise directly to supervisors, colleagues, and organization staff. 
• Have the cognitive ability to learn necessary skills and apply them to effectively carry out the service work requirements. 
• Appropriately always represent the Program and AmeriCorps to the public and project partners. 

Safety and Judgment:  

• Effectively communicate danger to others in the form of either a warning or a notification of personal distress, injury or need for assistance. You must be able to do so at 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 directions 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. 

Outdoor Skills and Fitness:  

• Learn and safely perform fundamental outdoor living/travel and work skills as appropriate to the project. Additionally, remain adequately hydrated, fed, and properly dressed to remain generally healthy and safe, avoiding environmental injuries. 

  Environmental Ethics:  

• Learn and practice ‘Leave no Trace’ techniques    

CCNC is a drug-free organization.  Alcohol and illegal substances are prohibited while participating in AmeriCorps/program activities and on CCNC, North Carolina State University, and program partner property.

**You must upload a resume in addition to your application**

Any questions can be addressed to: 

Stephanie Dunton

Recruitment and Member Support Coordinator

[email protected] 

“Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to hiring a breadth of diverse professionals and encourage members of diverse groups to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, political affiliation, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, 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 a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.”