Overview
Title: AmeriCorps Crew Member – Women’s+ Great Smoky Mountains Trail Crew
Season Dates: July 31, 2023 – November 17, 2023 (16-weeks)
Reports To: Crew Leader, Field Supervisor
Status: Full-time, seasonal, exempt 450-hour AmeriCorps National Service Position
Stipend: $600 per week, paid biweekly. A $1,718.25 AmeriCorps Education Award upon successful completion of the program.
Location: Crew will be based out of Chattanooga, TN but will be camping and working in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Benefits: Food & transportation provided while in the field overnight, uniform shirts, and personal protective equipment. Members will also receive orientations and trainings as available. Members will earn hours towards a PLC Hiring Authority.
Crew Structure: 1 Crew Leader, 1 Assistant Crew Leader, 4 Crew Members
Our Women’s+ Crew creates an intentional space for groups that are under-represented to step into conservation and natural resource management. The term “Women’s+” is inclusive of trans, non-binary, genderfluid individuals, and cis women. This program model fosters a supportive learning environment where participants can maximize their opportunities to grow and develop while gaining certifications to propel them into a career in environmental stewardship.
This crew engages motivated young adults ages 18-30, 35 for veterans, and will be working in partnership with The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The crew members will team up with the Trails Forever Crew to perform heavy manual labor related to environmental conservation and restoration projects. Crews work in frontcountry and backcountry locations in all types of weather conditions. As such, members should be open to adapting to various climates.
Crew Members effectively learn and apply new environmental conservation skills/restoration skills/outdoor-living skills, actively participate in environmental education activities, practice appropriate safety procedures in all tasks assigned, and use, maintain and repair hand and power tools as necessary.
Project work may vary due to seasonality and environmental safety concerns. Projects that crews typically work on may include, but are not limited to:
Trail construction and maintenance
Grip hoist/rigging
Timber work
Rock work
Corridor clearing
Invasive species removal
Habitation restoration
Fence installation/repair
Bridge installation/repair
Community Service
The crew will spend one week during their season shadowing SECC Individual Placement partners in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This can include Wildlife Management, Fishery Management, Vegetation Management, Vegetation Monitoring, Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Monitoring, and Archeology.
Qualifications:
Must be between ages 18 and 30, 35 for veterans
Must be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident and provide primary documentation to support this
Must be cleared through an acceptable check of the National Sex Offender Public Registry, as well as state and federal Criminal History Checks
Must have a high school diploma, GED, or agree to work toward attaining either during term of service (this is essential to obtaining and using the AmeriCorps Education Award)
About Southeast Conservation Corps (SECC)
Empowering young adults to cultivate compassion, responsibility, and grit through community service, hard work, and environmental stewardship.
Southeast Conservation Corps (SECC), a program of Conservation Legacy, is a non-profit, AmeriCorps-affiliated organization. SECC selects young adults, ages 18-30, to complete conservation work projects on public lands throughout the Southeast. SECC programs encourage environmental stewardship, foster community partnerships, & emphasize experiential learning. SECC serves a diverse population that is representative of the Southeast, including youth, graduates, veterans, and a cross-section of ethnicities and income levels. SECC is an active member of the AmeriCorps Disaster Response Team & as such, selected crews may be deployed on Disaster response projects for up to 30 days.
