ARD Helene Recovery Trail Crew Leader II

Position Title: Helene Recovery Trail Crew Leader II

Conservation Legacy Program: CCNC

Site Location: Based out of Old Fort, North Carolina with service projects in the Appalachian Ranger District of the Pisgah National Forest.

Wages:  $925-$1125/Week, based on prior experiences and certifications

Terms of Service:

Start Date:  01/25/2027
End Date: 04/21/2027

(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:

This position will directly support Hurricane Helene disaster recovery efforts in the Appalachian Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest. Projects will focus on minor saw work, reopening and repairing storm-impacted trails, trail maintenance and new construction, including rock and timber structures. Leaders will supervise crews on projects such as bucking trees, repairing trails, managing invasive vegetation, and restoring recreation areas. The crew leader and ACL for this crew will be responsible for operating a chainsaw to buck trees to use as resources for trail structures. Crew members will not be chainsaw trained. Project work and duty station will vary based on organizational need, applicant fit, and availability of positions across Western North Carolina.  

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 teams with those from a variety of populations and communities.   

Project Work: 

• Trail clearing using chainsaws to buck trees out of trail 
• Reopening blocked trail corridors and restoring public access  
• Trail construction and maintenance (tread work, drainage features, steps, retaining walls)  
• Rock and rough timber construction    

Responsibilities:    

• Leadership & Mentorship   
• Mentor assistant crew leader: provide valuable feedback, give opportunities for growth, delegate responsibilities, and encourage technical and leadership skill development.  
• 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 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 Conservation Legacy 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 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.  

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.
• For this crew leader position, applicants must hold a current Wilderness First Aid (WFA) or CPR/First Aid certification at least two weeks prior to the start date. Certification should 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 to 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 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 various 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 young adults  
• Rigging experience  
• Technical trail experience  
• 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 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.

Expectations:

CCNC is an independent, non-residential program. Crew Leaders are responsible for their own housing, food, and transportation when not in the field unless otherwise specified.  

Supervisor/Staff Name and Contact Information:

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.