Overview
Position Title: AmeriCorps Crew Leader
Location: Based out of Swoope, VA
Compensation: $675 per week ($500 living stipend + $175 additional benefit)
Terms of Service
Start Date: August 31st, 2026
End Date: November 24th, 2026
AmeriCorps Education Award: $1,956.35 upon successful completion of service term
Project Description
The AmeriCorps Crew Leader (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.
During their time in the field, crews perform heavy manual labor on environmental conservation projects in all types of weather conditions for 10 hours each day. These hands-on projects include habitat restoration, invasive species treatments, stream health improvement, and more. Crew members and leaders may go through trainings including USFS Developing Thinking Sawyers Chainsaw Training and Registered Technician Pesticide Training to gain necessary certifications to complete crew projects.
Project Management & Implementation
Train and motivate a crew of four young adults to complete conservation projects efficiently on public lands.
Delegate project work and investment amongst the crew.
Manage on-the-ground quality and quantity of project work.
Think critically to resolve issues and solve problems.
Communicate effectively and coordinate logistics with project partners, staff crew leader, members, and program 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 and promote a culture of safety.
Transport crew and equipment safely in program vans or large vehicles with trailers.
Administration
Manage crew medical history forms and incident documentation in conjunction with the staff crew leader.
Required Skills:
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.
Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.
Must hold current Basic First Aid with CPR/AED certification or higher or be willing to receive certification prior to start date.
Willingness to participate in community-building activities and solution-oriented problem solving wi
Preferred Skills:
Understanding of and experience with the mission and field management considerations of conservation corps and public land agencies.
Chainsaw or herbicide experience.
Background with experiential and/or environmental education.
Facilitation and team-building experience.
Strong conflict resolution skills.
Current Wilderness First Aid Certification with CPR/AED.
About 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 on service, 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 and issues affecting it and 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.
