Vegetation Management Assistant Crew Leader

Vegetation Management Assistant Crew Leader

Reports to: Staff Crew Leader 

Locations: Crew will be based out of Bahama, NC but will be camping and working on various federal and private land agency locations across North Carolina. 

Season Dates: Training: March 4th-March 8th, 2024, Start March 12th, 2024-May 29th, 2024 (option to extend through summer and/or fall season)

Status: Seasonal, Full-time, Exempt  

Stipend: $650 per week ($450/wk for stipend, $200/wk for housing including an $ $1,824.07 Segal Education Award upon completion of program.

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

 **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.

Projects take place across North Carolina, including work with the US Forest Service, the National Park Service, State Parks, and other land managers. During their time in the field, CCNC field crews camp overnight and work outdoors in all types of weather conditions, performing heavy manual labor related to environmental conservation and restoration projects. These hands-on projects include visitor access improvements, trail construction and maintenance, habitat restoration, invasive species treatments, historic restoration, disaster relief, and much more. Most projects require hiking out to remote work sites for the day with tools, equipment, and day pack.    

CCNC is an independent, non-residential program. Assistant Crew Leads (ACLs) 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 ACL’s are asked to supply as much of their own personal outdoor gear (tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, day pack, multi-day pack, work pants, hiking/work boots, etc) as possible. In the field, CCNC will provide food, group camp equipment, tools, protective gear, and transportation between Camp Slocum and project sites. On-hitch crews prepare all their own meals and work together as a group to complete all necessary chores. Community/camp chores will be completed every evening, with many evenings including group discussions, conservation and/or corps related topics.

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, crews camp overnight and work outdoors in all types of weather conditions, performing manual labor related to environmental conservation and restoration projects that allow native species to thrive.

Position Summary:

ACLs are primarily responsible for facilitating a positive Crew Member experience.  The ACL is a full partner in the crew’s leadership; helping the crew leader to communicate directions, projects specifications and constructive criticism throughout the term.  This position requires open dialog with the Staff Crew Leader; assisting them with project management, project partners communications, overall logistics, and crew assignments.    

ACLs set the example of how to work hard with enthusiasm through all kinds of conditions, meanwhile practicing good judgement and safety. ACLs are co-responsible for facilitating a learning experience for Crew Members, both formally and informally.  This position may require additional participation time outside of standard project and crew hours. ACLs are asked to be flexible with changing schedules, weather conditions, and project needs. Since this is a seasonal position, ACLs are asked to fully commit to the experience, expectations, and timeline. 

Once selected and prior to their start date, ACLs 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.

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. Workdays follow a 10-hour shift with scheduled time for breaks. While the staff at CCNC work to provide consistency throughout the season, personal flexibility is expected and should be prepared for when entering the term as schedules, times, and work locations are subject to change per project needs.   

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)

Required Skills:

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Willingness to commit fully to the program and its mission
• Physically fit and able to work long days in adverse conditions
• Must be able to demonstrate strong project management skills
• Strong time-management skills and ability to work independently as well as with others
• 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
• Must be 21+, OR have a clean driving record for 3+years (insurable by CCNC) and a current driver’s license

Preferred Qualifications:   

• 0-1 years’ experience with CCNC, other conservation corps or youth corps
• Ability to use a chainsaw, and other equipment frequently on rugged terrain and in inclement weather
• Background with experiential and/or environmental education
• Current and relevant certification in Wilderness Medicine (WFA, WAFA, WFR) with CPR/AED
• Leadership experience with youth or young adults
• Desire to work on a variety of conservation-based projects
• Strong conflict resolution skills
• Relevant Bachelor’s Degree
• Sense of humor, spirit of adventure, and desire to make a positive difference and promote leadership in others

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, compromises 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 particular 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 represent the Program and AmeriCorps to the public and project partners at all times.

Safety and Judgment:  

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

 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.

To Apply:  Complete the Application, and upload resume. Cover letter is optional.

Any questions can be addressed to: 

Mallory James

Crew Program Coordinator

mjames@conservationlegacy.org 

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

“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.”