Overview
Appalachian Ranger District and Appalachian Trail Corridor Crews:
This AmeriCorps position will directly support Hurricane Helene disaster recovery efforts Appalachian Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest and the Appalachian Trail Corridor. Projects will focus on reopening and repairing storm-impacted trails, trail maintenance and new construction, including rock and timber structures. Additionally, the crew should expect to work on rugged terrain in inclement weather. The work will be arduous and fast-paced in areas of high exposure.
Crews are typically composed of 1 Staff Crew Leader, 1 AmeriCorps Assistant Crew Leader, and 4 AmeriCorps Members, while living and working outdoors in a team-based, immersive setting.
The Conservation crew member position is an entry-level role. Crew members are supported on a variety of levels, by their crew leaders, program staff, project partners, and Conservation Legacy staff. While prior experience in the outdoors or outdoor work can be helpful, it is not a necessity for this position. We ask that crew members embrace learning opportunities, face challenges, and build community with their crew.
Crew members are an essential part of the crew, working together as a team under the leadership of crew leaders. The crew member is the quintessential “boots on the ground”: being the driving force behind the crew moving forward and completing projects. Crew members are expected to hold themselves accountable to complete project work as requested by the crew leader/site supervisor, as well as working together as a team with their fellow crew members, ensuring a positive, supportive environment in which all can learn and grow. Crew members are representatives of both AmeriCorps and Conservation Corps North Carolina and should hold themselves to a high standard of behavior, work ethic, and conservation values.
This position will operate on a variable “hitch” schedule of 9 days on and 5 days off for camping crews. Workdays follow a 10-hour shift with scheduled time for breaks. While the staff at CCNC work to provide consistency throughout the season, personal flexibility is expected and should be prepared for when entering the term as schedules, times, and work locations are subject to change per project needs.
Food is provided while in the field and crews can accommodate most dietary restrictions. Crews work together to plan meals and complete all necessary chores. 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 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.
About Conservation Corps North Carolina
The mission of Conservation Corps North Carolina (CCNC) is to empower young adults through meaningful outdoor work that benefits North Carolina’s land and water and creates healthy communities. CCNC is a program of Conservation Legacy that partners with public land managers in North Carolina to engage motivated young adults (ages 18-30) to complete challenging and impactful conservation service projects throughout the region. Projects may include trail construction & maintenance, habitat improvement, hazard fuel reduction, and ecological restoration. Crews may also complete technical and/or specialized projects depending on project partner needs.
