GRD Helene Recovery Trail Crew Member – AmeriCorps

Position Title: Helene Recovery Trail Crew Member – AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Conservation Corps North Carolina

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

Terms of Service:

• Start Date: 02/02/2027
• End Date: 04/21/2027
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 300 hours

Purpose:

Description of Duties:

Position Summary:    

 This position will directly support Hurricane Helene disaster recovery efforts in the Grandfather Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest. Projects will focus on saw work, reopening and repairing storm-impacted trails, trail maintenance and new construction, including rock and timber structures.   Additionally, the crew should expect to work on rugged terrain in inclement weather. The work will be arduous and fast-paced in areas of high exposure. 

Crews are typically composed of 1 Staff Crew Leader, 1 AmeriCorps Assistant Crew Leader, and 4 AmeriCorps Members, while living and working outdoors in a team-based, immersive setting.  

The Conservation crew member position is an entry-level role. Crew members are supported on a variety of levels, by their crew leaders, program staff, project partners, and Conservation Legacy staff. While prior experience in the outdoors or outdoor work can be helpful, it is not a necessity for this position. We ask that crew members embrace learning opportunities, face challenges, and build community with their crew.  

Crew members are an 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, supportive 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.  

This position will operate on a variable “hitch” schedule of 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.  

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.  

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)  

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 outdoor gear (day pack, work pants, hiking/work boots, etc.) as possible. A gear list is provided upon acceptance into the program. CCNC will provide group equipment, tools, protective gear, and transportation between Old Fort, NC 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.  
• 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.  

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 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 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 so as to remain generally healthy and safe, avoiding environmental injuries.  
• Live in a physically demanding, possibly remote environment for an uninterrupted period of up to several weeks. Conditions of this environment may vary significantly and may include severe and/or trying weather. The remoteness is such that it may require at a minimum one hour to reach the nearest advanced medical care.  

Qualifications:

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
• At least 17 years of age
• Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of elementary or secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant, and agrees to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.
• 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 and 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 

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 40 hours per week,Tuesday through the next Wednesday, but exact service schedules may vary. A half hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service.
• Member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term. 

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 

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $1565.08
• Living Allowance of $480 per week.
• Additional Benefit of $120 per week.
• Healthcare Coverage if Eligible
• Childcare Coverage if Eligible
• Loan forbearance if Eligible
• Interest Payments if Eligible
• On-the-job training provided  
• AmeriCorps Orientation, including training on prohibited and unallowable activities.  
• Public Land Corps (PLC) Certificate hours that offer hiring authority when applying for future federal positions.  
• Member Assistance Program – 3 free sessions of counseling or work-life balance support.  
• Uniform shirts, helmet, work gloves, eye protection, and other necessary safety equipment provided.  
• Assistance may be available for borrowing personal outdoor gear needed to participate.  
• Depending on the academic institution and program, positions may fulfill internship requirements.  
• Professional development opportunities (mentorship, resume support, alumni listserv, etc.).  
• Exposure to natural resource career paths and opportunities.   

Evaluation and Reporting:

As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of hours, the member has satisfactorily completed assignments, and if the member has met other performance criteria that were clearly communicated at the beginning of the term of service.

Reporting requirements include, but are not limited to, bi-weekly timesheets and accomplishment tracking.

Supervisor 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.