Overview
Title: Staff Crew Leader
Location: Based out of Swoope, VA
Dates: August 31st to November 24th, 2026
Wages: $925 – $1,125/week, depending on prior experience and certifications.
Benefits: Health benefits available after a probationary period.
The Crew Leader II position is an opportunity to make a difference in young peoples’ lives while completing conservation projects on public and private lands. Leaders will be mentors, educators, and facilitators for young adults, working to promote the health and resiliency of our land, air, and water.
The standard schedule generally consists of 9-day hitches (out in the field as a crew) followed by 5 days off with some exceptions. On hitch, crews camp, prepare meals, and work together as a group to complete all projects and chores.
The Crew Leader II position requires patience, a consistently positive mental attitude, mentorship, technical aptitude, focus on efficiency, and a high level of competence in the outdoors. It also involves an administration role, where weekly paperwork is due in a timely manner to supervisors. Finally, crew leaders must exhibit the ability to effectively work on dynamic teams and those from a variety of communities.
Projects take place across the Appalachian Region, including partnerships with the US Forest Service, National Park Service, and other land managers. 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. The crew provides a supportive learning environment where members work with, learn from, and grow with one another while gaining skills to propel them into a career in environmental stewardship.
Appalachian Conservation Corps is an independent, non-residential program. Crews are responsible for their own housing, food, and transportation when they are not in the field. In addition to providing food while in the field, we will provide group camping equipment, tools, protective gear, and transportation between Appalachian Conservation Corps offices and project sites.
Required Skills:
Understanding of and experience with the mission and field management considerations of conservation corps and public land agencies.
Leadership, management, and supervisory experience with youth or young adults.
Must hold current advanced medical certification.
Ability to effectively manage all aspects of crew life and production within a 40-50+-hour work week including managing projects, camping, and programmatic policies and integrity.
Preferred Skills:
Experience with experiential and/or environmental education.
Experience with backpacking, wilderness living and travel.
Experience with team-building facilitation and conflict resolution.
Time-management skills and ability to work independently as well as with others.
Current Virginia or West Virginia Registered Technician Pesticide certification.
Current USFS B faller chainsaw certification.
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.
