Croatan Vegetation Management Crew Leader II

Position Title: Croatan Vegetation Management Crew Leader II 

Conservation Legacy Program: CCNC

Site Location: Based out of Bahama, North Carolina-service projects in the Croatan National Forest

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

Terms of Service:

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:

Conservation Corps North Carolina empowers young adults through meaningful outdoor work that benefits North Carolina’s land and water and fosters healthy communities. A program of Conservation Legacy, CCNC partners with public land managers and community organizations across the state to engage motivated individuals—typically ages 15–30—in challenging and impactful conservation service projects. These projects may include trail construction and maintenance, habitat restoration, hazard fuel reduction, invasive species removal, and other technical conservation work. CCNC crews and individual placements gain hands-on experience, professional development, and the opportunity to positively impact North Carolina’s natural resources and communities.  

Description of Duties:

This position, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, will assist the crew in completing projects within the Croatan National Forest. During the planting season, the crew will focus on native tree/shrub planting, site preparation, and seedling protection to support ecosystem restoration efforts across the forest. Following the planting season, the crew will transition to vegetation management work using hand tools such as loppers, hand saws, brush cutters, and herbicide application tools to control invasive or competing vegetation and maintain planting sites.  The crew leader and ACL for this crew will be responsible for any major chainsaw operation and the crew may assist in minor chainsaw operation. Crew members should expect to work on rugged terrain in inclement weather, performing repetitive and physically demanding tasks in a fast-paced outdoor environment.

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: 

Project types may include:  

• Hazard fuel reduction and vegetation management using chainsaws, brush cutters, hand saws, loppers, and other tools.  
• Removal of invasive, non-native plant species.  
• Timber stand improvement and other ecological restoration techniques. 
• Debris removal and corridor clearing in impacted areas.  

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.
• 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 high school youth 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 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 purchases.
• Track and submit credit card receipts for all expenses every month. 

Camp Management (Camping Crew Only)

• 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. 

Day Crew Management

• Oversee, manage and assume responsibility for all crew members during work day.
• Connect with project partners (as needed) to ensure fulfillment of project objectives.

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.

• • To qualify for the Chainsaw Crew Leader Position, you must have a Faller B Chainsaw certification (Or ready to evaluate as one)

  • 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 youth or 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 through to the following Wednesday (9 days), but exact service schedules may vary. A half hour lunch break will not be counted towards hours.

Orientation and Training: 

• Member will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
• US Forest Service Developing Thinking Sawyers Training
  • 2 days of Chainsaw Presentations
  • 5 days of Chainsaw Cut Days to test for B-feller or A-feller certification

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.