Position Title: Trail Data Steward Individual Placement – AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Conservation Corps North Carolina
Site Location: Appalachian Ranger District, Pisgah National Forest
Terms of Service:
- Start Date: 01/19/2027
- End Date: 12/17/2027
- AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 1700 Hours
Purpose:
These AmeriCorps positions will serve with the U.S. Forest Service in the Appalachian Ranger District of the Pisgah National Forest. These AmeriCorps positions support ongoing disaster recovery from Hurricane Helene, which caused widespread trail damage, and contribute to long-term sustainable recreation management.
The Trail Data Stewards will conduct field-based trail assessments, collect geospatial data, and help prioritize maintenance and restoration needs across the districts. Data will directly inform USFS trail planning, safety mitigation, and funding allocation for high-priority projects.
Description of Duties:
Fieldwork
- Conduct systematic trail condition assessments to evaluate tread, drainage, signage, accessibility, and safety hazards.
- Monitor trailheads, bridges, culverts, and other infrastructure for storm-related damage.
- Track and document Hurricane Helene impacts to trails and support disaster recovery planning.
- Occasionally assist with volunteer or agency trail maintenance days to understand and ground-truth data findings.
Data Collection & Analysis
- Collect GPS and GIS-based field data to support digital trail inventories.
- Enter, clean, and manage trail data in agency databases and spreadsheets.
- Assist with mapping and analysis in ArcGIS or other geospatial tools.
- Produce summary maps, graphics, and reports for district staff and partner presentations.
Planning & Prioritization
- Help prioritize maintenance projects by rating condition severity and safety risks.
- Identify reroute opportunities to improve trail sustainability and reduce erosion.
- Contribute to evaluating trail accessibility (grades, surfaces, barriers) to inform ADA compliance improvements.
- Support grant compliance by preparing site monitoring documentation and condition reports.
Volunteer & Partner Engagement
- Provide data summaries to inform volunteer trail work projects and support partner coordination.
- Collaborate with partner groups (e.g., local trail clubs, nonprofits) by sharing findings that guide work priorities.
- Occasionally assist with volunteer trail days, gathering field data or guiding project priorities.
Public Contact & Education
- Interact with trail users in the field to share information on closures, hazards, or reroutes.
- Support development of educational materials such as updated maps, signage, or condition reports for public distribution.
- Represent CCNC and the U.S. Forest Service professionally in all interactions with the public and partners.
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.
- Interest in conservation, public land stewardship, and outdoor recreation management.
- Valid driver’s license; insurable for agency/CCNC vehicles.
- Ability to work outdoors in rugged conditions and inclement weather.
- Strong communication skills and professional public contact.
- Self-motivated; able to work independently while following safety guidelines.
- USFS B Sawyer certification (or ability to obtain)
- Wilderness First Aid/CPR
- Experience with hand tools, trail maintenance, or outdoor labor.
- Familiarity with GPS/mobile data collection; GIS exposure a plus.
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 Monday to Friday, 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.
Benefits:
- Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $7395
- Living Allowance of $480 per week.
- Additional Benefit of $320 per week.
- Healthcare Coverage if Eligible
- Childcare Coverage if Eligible
- Loan forbearance if Eligible
- Interest Payments if Eligible
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:
IP Program Coordinator, Rachel Robinson, Contact information: [email protected]
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.
