Climate Impact Mitigation Assistant Crew Leader - Conservation Legacy

Schedule and Crew Life

Each crew will be composed of 1 CCNC staff Crew Leader, 1 AmeriCorps Assistant Crew Leader, and 4 AmeriCorps Members. The Crew Leader and Assistant Crew Leader will provide project expertise, mentorship, training, and support for the success of all participants. Field Crews will meet at Camp Slocum (located north of Durham, NC), travel in a crew vehicle to their project site and remain in the field for 9 days at a time, followed by 5 days off. While in the field, Crew Members work 8-10 hours a day. Each workday includes two fifteen-minute breaks and a half-hour lunch break.  Food is provided while in the field. Crews work together to plan meals and complete all necessary chores. We can accommodate most dietary restrictions. 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 and Assistant Crew Leaders 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. 

CCNC is committed to celebrating diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of its work. We believe that a diverse and inclusive environment enriches our organization, strengthens our mission, and fosters innovation and creativity. CCNC is dedicated to creating a welcoming space where individuals of all backgrounds feel valued, respected, and empowered to contribute fully to our conservation efforts. We actively seek to build a team that reflects the diverse communities we serve, recognizing that inclusive practices are essential to achieving equitable outcomes and lasting environmental impact.

Expectations

CCNC is an independent, non-residential program. Assistant Crew Leads (ACLs) 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 ACL's are 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. In the field, CCNC will provide food, group camp equipment, tools, protective gear, and transportation between Camp Slocum and project sites. On-hitch crews prepare all their own meals and work together as a group to complete all necessary chores. Community/camp chores will be completed every evening, with many evenings including group discussions, conservation and/or corps related topics. During their time in the field, CCNC field crews camp overnight and work outdoors in all types of weather conditions, performing heavy manual labor related to environmental conservation and restoration projects. Most projects require hiking out to remote work sites for the day with tools, equipment, and day pack.    

Position Summary:

ACLs are primarily 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- ACLs set an example of how to work hard with great enthusiasm through all kinds of conditions while practicing good judgement and safety. It means facilitating a learning experience for Crew Members, both formally and informally.  This position may require additional participation time outside of standard project and crew hours. 

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

Once selected and prior to their start date, ACLs 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.

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 Federal and/or State criminal background check  

• Must be eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award (individuals are 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) 

Required Skills:

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Willingness to commit fully to the program and its mission 

• Physically fit and able to work long days in adverse conditions 

• Must be able to demonstrate strong project management skills 

• Strong time-management skills and ability to work independently as well as with others 

• 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 

• Experience with backpacking, wilderness living and travel, and LNT principles 

• Must be 21+, OR have a clean driving record for 3+years (insurable by CCNC) and a current driver’s license 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• 0-1 years’ experience with CCNC, other conservation corps or youth corps 

• Background with experiential and/or environmental education 

• Current and relevant certification in Wilderness Medicine (WFA, WAFA, WFR) with CPR/AED 

• Leadership experience with youth or young adults 

• Chainsaw experience

• Experience in backcountry camping/backpacking

• Adaptability

• Professionalism

• Strong conflict resolution skills 

• Relevant Bachelor’s Degree 

• Sense of humor, spirit of adventure, and desire to make a positive difference and promote leadership in others 

• Community-Building ethic

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 your particular 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 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 of danger others may be encountering 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 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:  

• Learn and practice ‘Leave no Trace’ techniques 

• 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 remaingenerally 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, but perhaps in excess of 12 hours, to reach the nearest advanced medical care. 

  Benefits: 

• $650/week living stipend, paid bi-weekly 

• AmeriCorps Segal Education Award upon successful completion of service term (can be used for paying off federal student loans or paying tuition for a Title IV accredited college) 

• US Forest Service Developing Thinking Sawyers Chainsaw Training

• Wilderness First Aid Certification

• Members 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

• US Forest Service Developing Thinking Sawyers Chainsaw Training

• Assistance may be available for getting Crew Members the outdoor gear needed to participate

• Depending upon the academic institution and program, Crew Member positions may fulfill internship requirements. 

• Professional development opportunities (mentorship, resume support, alumni listserv, etc.) 

Exposure to natural resource career paths and opportunities 

This program is available to all eligible applicants, without regard to race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, political affiliation, sexual orientation or religion.