AmeriCorps Crew Leader - December 2024 Saw Crew - Conservation Legacy

Title:AmeriCorps Crew Leader

Location:Based out of Cuyahoga Valley National Park, OH

Start Date:December 2nd, 2024

End Date:February 27th, 2025

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

Compensation:$450/week living stipend, $200/week housing stipend, $1,450 AmeriCorpsEducation Award on completion

Questions?Contactsakers@conservationlegacy.org

Appalachian Conservation Corps:

Appalachian Conservation Corps(ACC)works to connect young people to critical conservation service work across Appalachia and neighboring communities in Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Maryland, DC, and Pennsylvania. As a corps program, ACC partners with public land managers to identify, plan,and complete projects that improve public access, habitat quality,and economic development. ACC is a program of Conservation Legacy, a nationwide network of conservation service organizations.Our programs focus onservice,place-based learning, life skills development, appreciation of diversity, civic responsibility,and career development. ACC also provides an opportunity for members to learn about the local environment andissues affecting itand introduces individuals to recreation and resource management careers. ACC welcomes national applicants, but also emphasizes the engagement of local individuals who represent the communities in which they serve.

Position Summary:

The AmeriCorps Crew Leader (ACL) is responsible for facilitating a positive crew member experience.  The ACL is a full partner in the crew’s leadership, helping to communicate directions, projects specifications and constructive criticism throughout the term.  This position requires open dialog with the staff crew leader; helping them to manage projects, project partners communications, overall logistics, and crew assignments.  

It means more than just showing up and doing the work, it means setting an example of how to work hard with great enthusiasm through all kinds of conditions while practicing good judgement and safety. It means facilitating learning experience for crew members, both formally and informally.  This position may require additional participation time outside of standard project and crew hours. 

Responsibilities:

Project Management & Implementation  

• Train and motivate a crew of six to eight young adults to complete conservation projects efficiently on public lands.  
• Delegate project work & investment among ACL and crew.  
• Manage on-the-ground quality and quantity of project work.  
• Think critically to resolve issues and solve problems.  
• Communicate effectively & coordinate logistics with project partners, staff crew leader, members, and ACC staff.  

Safety & Risk Management  

• Monitor, manage, and promote the crew’s physical and emotional safety on and off the work site.  
• Exhibit strong situational awareness & promote a culture of safety.  
• Transport crew and equipment safely in ACC’s vans or large vehicles with trailers.  

 Administration   

• Manage crew medical history forms and incident documentation in conjunction with the staff crew leader

Project Work: 

This crew will typically be stationed at Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio but can also be deployed to other National Park Service sites within the Northeast region. During their time in the field, leaders work outdoors in all types of weather conditions, performing heavy manual labor related to environmental conservation and restoration projects. In addition to chainsaw work, the crew should be prepared to assist on a variety of projects including trail maintenance, invasive species removal, and tree planting.Most projects require hiking out to remote work sites for the day with tools, equipment, and day pack.

Schedule:

Typically, ACLs will meet at Cuyahoga National Park in Ohio on Mondays and work 4 days followed by 3 days off.While in the field, crew leaders work 10 hours a day.The day starts with a stretch circle and safety meeting and includes two fifteen-minute breaks and a half hour break for lunch.

OnceACLsare 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.

Crew Life:

ACLswith ACC serve on a crew with4crew members andare supervised by a staffcrew leader, with whom they work toproject expertise, mentorship, training, and support for the success of allparticipants.Food is provided while in the field. Crews work together to planmealsand complete all necessary chores (cooking, washing dishes,etc.).Weare able toaccommodate most dietary restrictions.Campchores will be completed every evening, with many evenings including group discussions on conservationtopics.

ACC supports a culture of feedback and growth.ACLswill set goals at the beginning of the season andreview 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 includingCorps culture, leadership, service & experiential learning,risk management, professionalism, and technical skills.ACLswill also be asked to evaluatetheprogramand their experience at the end of their term.

Expectations:

ACC is an independent, non-residential program.Participants are responsible for their own food and transportation when not in the field.Someequipment is available to borrow throughout the season, butACLsare 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. A gear list is provided upon acceptance into the program. In addition to providing food while in the field, ACC will provide group camp equipment, tools, protective gear,and transportation between ACCoffices and project sites.

ACLsare asked to work hard, stay positive, and be flexible with changing schedules, weather conditions, and project needs.This is a seasonal position;ACLsare asked to fully commit to the experience, expectations,andtimeline.

Benefits:

• $450/week living stipend, $200/week housing stipend, paid bi-weekly
• $1,450 AmeriCorps Segal Education Award upon successful completion of service term
• AmeriCorpsmembers may be eligible for student loan forbearance
• Member Assistance Program 3 free sessions of support with a counseling or work-life balance specialist
• Uniform shirts,helmet, work gloves, eye protection,and other necessary safety equipment is provided
• On-the-job training provided
• Professional development opportunities(mentorship, resume support, alumnilistserv,etc.)and exposure to natural resource career pathsandopportunities

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 Federaland/or Statecriminal background check
• Must be eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award(individualsare 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)

MinimumQualifications:  

• Strong project management skills.  
• Physically fit and able to work long days in adverse conditions.  
• Experience with backpacking, wilderness living and travel, LNT principles.  
• Current Wilderness First Aid Certification with CPR/AED.  
• Clean driving record (insurable by ACC) and a current driver’s license.  
• Willingness to deployona Disaster Response.  

Preferred Qualifications:  

• Experience with ACC or another Conservation Corps.  
• Technical trail building and maintenance experience.  
• Background with experiential and/or environmental education.   
• Facilitation and team-building experience with diverse groups of people.   
• Strong conflict resolution skills.  
• Experience with Disaster Response.  
• USForest Service chainsaw certification.  
• Wilderness First Responder Certification with CPR/AED.

Required Skills

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 yourparticular 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 learningenvironment;no harassmentof others will be tolerated 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 ability to learn necessary skills and apply them to effectively carry out the service work requirements 
• Appropriatelyrepresent 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 ata distance of upto 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 and Outdoor Skills

• Learn and practice ‘Leave No Trace’ techniques  
• Learn and safely perform fundamental outdoor living/travel and work skills as appropriate to the project. 
• Remain adequately hydrated, fed, and properly dressed 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 weather. Some remote locations may require at a minimum one hour, but perhaps in excess of 12 hours, to reach the nearest advanced medical care.  

Substance Free 

• In accordancewitha drug free workplace, alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in AmeriCorps and program activities and while on organization property. 

Equal Employment Opportunity

This program is available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, marital or parental status, genetic information, and military service. Where a significant portion of the population eligible to be served needs services or information in a language other than English, the recipient shall take reasonable steps to provide written material of the type ordinarily available to the public in appropriate languages.