Overview
Position Title: AmeriCorps Crew Leader – Saw/Trail Crew
Location: Based out of Harrisonburg, VA
Compensation: $675 per week ($500 living stipend + $175 additional benefit)
Terms of Service
Start Date: August 25th, 2025
End Date: November 18th, 2025
AmeriCorps Education Award: $1,950 upon successful completion of service term
Purpose
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 envisioning a world with healthy lands, air, and water, thriving people, and resilient communities. ACC aims to engage future leaders who protect, restore, and enhance our public lands through community-based service. ACC welcomes national applicants but also emphasizes the engagement of local individuals who represent the communities in which they serve.
Description of Duties
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.
Projects take place across the Appalachian Region, including partnerships with the US Forest Service, the National Park Service, and other land managers. During their time in the field, crews camp overnight and work outdoors in all types of weather conditions, performing heavy manual labor related to environmental conservation and restoration projects. These hands-on projects include visitor access improvements, trail construction and maintenance, habitat restoration, invasive species removal, re-vegetation, and much more. Most projects require hiking out to remote work sites for the day with tools, equipment, and day pack.
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.
