TITLE: Urban Archaeological Crew Member - Adult, Camping Crew

REPORTS TO: Crew Leader, Program Coordinator

LOCATIONS: Crews will be based out of Chattanooga, TN but will camp and work within a federal land agency location. 

START/END DATE: May - July/August 2021 (exact dates to be determined)

STATUS: Seasonal, Full-time, Exempt

WAGES: $330/week – Paid out biweekly. A $1,311.11 AmeriCorps Education Award upon successful completion of the program.

BENEFITS: Food & transportation provided while in the field overnight, uniform shirts, and personal protective equipment. Members will also receive orientations and trainings as available. 

CREW STRUCTURE: 1 CREW LEADER, 1 ASSISTANT CREW LEADER, 6 CREW MEMBERS

SOUTHEAST CONSERVATION CORPS: EMPOWERING YOUNG ADULTS TO CULTIVATE COMPASSION, RESPONSIBILITY, AND GRIT THROUGH COMMUNITY SERVICE, HARD WORK, AND ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP.

Southeast Conservation Corps (SECC) is a non-profit, AmeriCorps-affiliated organization. SECC selects people to complete conservation work projects on public lands throughout the Southeast. SECC programs encourage environmental stewardship, foster community partnerships, and 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 has also taken on a role as a part of the larger AmeriCorps Disaster Response Team, and as such, some crews may get deployed on Disaster response projects for up to 30 days. 

Crews are comprised of young adults, ages 18-30. Crews work in frontcountry and backcountry locations in all types of weather conditions. Schedules may vary, but generally are 10 days on and 4 days off. Depending on project work and location, other schedule variations may be implemented. While the staff at SECC works 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.

Crew members are responsible for finding and attaining their own housing when not in the field. Crews prepare all their own meals and work together as a group to complete all the necessary chores. Community/camp chores will be completed every evening, with some evenings including group discussions on conservation and/or corps related topics.

POSITION SUMMARY:

This specific crew will be working within a federal land agency location, such as a National Park or National Seashore, to conduct archaeological monitoring, survey, and excavation of archaeological resources in the parks, and sometimes as part of technical assistance rendered to other non-NPS heritage partners. Fieldwork includes locating prehistoric and historic sites, recording archaeological and environmental data, maintaining essential field documentation, and reporting the information collected. The Project will vary but include shovel testing, pedestrian survey, open excavations, back filling, artifact processing, and use of hand tools to remove vegetation.

Laboratory work includes production of field catalogs and inventories of archaeological data, washing and sorting artifacts, analyzing artifacts, and field data, producing maps and drawings, database entry, and cataloging.

Crew members will be carrying field packs 20 pounds or more across uneven ground and surfaces along with exposure to the environment. Members need to be comfortable with long hikes in all types of weather conditions and MUST be able to carry work equipment, personal equipment, and at least one gallon of water.

CREW MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES: As an AmeriCorps program participant, work effectively as member of crew; perform heavy manual labor related to environmental conservation and restoration projects; work outdoors in all types of weather and successfully adapts to various climates; camps overnight outdoors in wilderness areas near work sites for short or extended periods of time; effectively learn and apply new environmental conservation and restoration skills and outdoor living skills; actively participate in environmental education activities; practice appropriate safety procedures in all tasks assigned; use, maintain and repair hand and power tools as necessary.

EXPECTATIONS: SECC is a drug-free organization; alcohol and illegal substances are prohibited. SECC is an independent, non-residential program. The corpsmember must supply their own personal outdoor gear and equipment such as a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, day pack, multi-day pack, work pants, hiking/ work boots, etc. SECC will provide the group camp equipment, tools, protective gear and transportation to and from the office.

QUALIFICATIONS: To qualify, you must be working towards, or have successfully completed, a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses in anthropology, archaeology, or related fields as well as an archaeology field school. You must be between the ages of 18 and 30 and a US citizen that has received a high school diploma or GED. All offers of employment are conditional upon completion of an acceptable check of the National Sex Offender Public Registry and federal criminal background check. Must be eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award.

PARTICIPANT ESSENTIAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Essential eligibility requirements for the program must be met. If you are unable to meet certain requirements, we may be able to assist you with some modification unless it alters the fundamental nature of the program, compromises the health and safety of participants or staff, or places an undue financial or administrative burden on the organization. These requirements are written the same for all positions and therefore may not apply directly to your particular position.

PARTICIPATION AND EXPEDITION BEHAVIOR 

• Work effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions. This may require problem solving on an interpersonal or group level as well as a willingness to accept differences.
• Contribute to a safe learning environment; no harassment of others for any reason.
• Willingness and ability to complete all aspects of the program including conservation projects, education, training and national service. Members must commit to participating in all crew/team activities, including service days in local communities where applicable.
• Effectively communicate ideas and concerns as they arise directly to supervisors, colleagues and organization staff.
• Have the cognitive ability to learn necessary skills and apply them to effectively carry out the service work requirements.
• Appropriately represent the Program and AmeriCorps to the public and project partners at all times.

SAFETY AND JUDGMENT

• Effectively communicate danger to others in the form of either a warning of danger others may be encountering or a notification of personal distress, injury or need for assistance. You must be able to do so at a distance of up to 50 meters and in conditions with limited visibility or loud background noise such as darkness or high winds.
• Effectively perceive, understand and follow direction by others so that you will be able to successfully execute appropriate and perhaps unfamiliar techniques to manage hazards. These directions may be given before the hazard is encountered or may need to be given during exposure to the hazard.
• Stay alert and focused for several hours at a time while traveling and working in varied weather conditions.
• Perceive and comprehend significant and apparent hazards, including those hazards previously identified by others.
• Respond appropriately to stress or crises.
• If taking prescription medications, participants must be able to maintain proper dosage by self-medicating without assistance from others.
• Monitor, manage, and promote the crew’s physical and emotional safety on and off the work site.
• Exhibit strong situational awareness & promote a culture of safety
• Transport crew and equipment safely in SECC’s vans or large SUVs with trailers.

ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS

• Learn and practice ‘Leave no Trace’ techniques.

OUTDOOR SKILLS AND FITNESS (WHERE APPROPRIATE)

• Learn and safely perform fundamental outdoor living/travel and work skills as appropriate to the project. Additionally, remain adequately hydrated, fed, and properly dressed so as to remain generally healthy and safe, avoiding environmental injuries.
• Live in a physically demanding, possibly remote environment for an uninterrupted period of up to several weeks. Conditions of this environment may vary significantly and may include severe and/or trying weather. The remoteness is such that it may require at a minimum one hour, but perhaps in excess of 12 hours, to reach the nearest advanced medical care.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Frequently required to walk, hike, sit and talk or listen
• Kneeling, bending, stooping for long periods of time
• Required to use hands to operate objects, tools or controls, and to reach with hands and arms
• Regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds
• Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision and the ability to focus
• Must be able to speak, understand, read and write English
• Fill out forms both digitally and paper
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

COMPENSATION: AmeriCorps members will receive an AmeriCorps living stipend of $300 per week before taxes. Upon successful completion of the term of service AmeriCorps members will earn an AmeriCorps Segal education award to be used for student loans, qualifying programs/classes, or tuition for traditional Title IV accredited colleges.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE:

No archaeological experience or trail crew/conservation crew experience is needed to apply for this position. A general comfort and previous knowledge of working/living in an outdoor setting is helpful.

THIS PROGRAM IS AVAILABLE TO ALL ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS, WITHOUT REGARD TO RACE, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN, DISABILITY, AGE, SEX, POLITICAL AFFILIATION, SEXUAL ORIENTATION OR RELIGION.

TO APPLY:

• Visit: https://southeastconservationcorps.org/open-positions
• Complete the application, upload cover letter and resume.
• Questions can be addressed to:

Lindsey Agee

Recruitment and Member Support Services Coordinator

423-322-4976

lagee@conservationlegacy.org

Required Skills Required Experience