TITLE: CREW MEMBER – CREW LEADER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (CLDP) – ADULT, CAMPING CREW – SPRING 2021 

REPORTS TO: Crew Leader, Field Supervisor, Field Program Coordinator 

LOCATION: Crew will be based out of Chattanooga, TN but will be camping and working on various federal and private land agency locations across the southeast region.

START/END DATE: March 29, 2021 – May 21, 2021 with potential to stay with SECC to serve as Assistant Crew Leader for a Summer Youth or Adult Crew, dependent on successful completion of CLDP and availability of Assistant Crew Leader positions. 

STATUS: Seasonal, Full-time, Non-exempt 

STIPEND: Living stipend of $350/week, paid biweekly, with a $1,311.11 AmeriCorps Education Award upon successful completion of the program. 

BENEFITS: Food provided while in the field, uniforms, personal protective equipment. Training in Wilderness First Aid, Leave No Trace Ethics, vehicle driver and trailer backing. Other trainings could include: Forest Service Recognized MTDC Chainsaw and/or Crosscut Saw Certification, Herbicide Handling and Application. 

CREW STRUCTURE: 1 Crew Leader, 1 Assistant Crew Leader, 4 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), a program of Conservation Legacy, is a non-profit, AmeriCorps-affiliated organization. The 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, 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 is also an active member of the AmeriCorps Disaster Response Team (A-DRT), and as such, selected crews may be deployed on Disaster response projects for up to 30 days. 

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 necessary chores. Community/camp chores will be completed every evening, with many evenings including group discussions on conservation and/or corps related topics.  

 POSITION SUMMARY 

 The AmeriCorps Crew Leader Development Program (CLDP) is designed to be the first step towards leadership development, providing young adults the opportunity to develop outdoor conservation and leadership skills. Participants will be exposed to a variety of conservation projects, leadership experiences, and service opportunities on public lands and in local communities throughout the Southeast region of the United States. 

The CLDP will consist of 8 weeks of technical project work and leadership training with experienced SECC Crew Leads and Staff. Training will cover both technical (trail construction and maintenance, invasive plant management, chainsaw, etc.) and fundamental skills (communication, conflict resolution, emotional intelligence, mentorship, etc.). 

Upon successful completion of the CLDP, members are expected to stay with SECC as an Assistant Crew Leader (ACL) with Summer Youth or Adult Crews. Summer placement as an ACL is not guaranteed upon completion of CLDP but is dependent on availability of ACL positions AND on the member’s ability to demonstrate responsible leadership. Summer ACL positions will allow CLDP Members to exercise leadership skills under the close mentorship of an SECC Staff Crew Leader, a crucial step in continued leadership development. 

SECC is an independent, non-residential program. The Crew Member 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 group camp equipment, tools, protective gear and transportation between SECC Office and project sites. 

GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS:  

• Must be between ages 18 and 30 
• 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). 
• Previous conservation experience preferred, but not required.

_REQUIRED SKILLS _

PROFESSIONALISM: Members must be willing to follow and enforce all SECC and CL policies, maintain professional boundaries, communicate effectively with partners, members, peers and SECC staff, and appropriately represent Southeast Conservation Corps and AmeriCorps.  

ADAPTABILITY: Projects have a degree of uncertainty and will include variable living conditions and last-minute changes. Members must be adaptive, patient and able to maintain a positive perspective throughout. 

LEADERSHIP: Experience, or a strong desire to lead and mentor a diverse group of young individuals (ages range from 16 - 30 years old). Ability to manage and participate in day-to-day details of crew life at work. Ability to listen, willingness to receive feedback, and a desire to grow continually. 

COMMUNITY BUILDING: Strong interest in helping others to grow as individuals while building cohesiveness in a group setting. Members must be willing to work hard, listen to and respect others' viewpoints, be tolerant of diversity, participate as a team, and be dedicated to the SECC mission. 

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP: Members must have a genuine enjoyment and desire for caring for the land while living and working in the outdoors in a variety of conditions. 

FITNESS: SECC projects are physically demanding! Projects involve hiking, backpacking, heavy lifting and repetitive motions while using a variety of hand tools. Projects will take place through different seasons, and in variable weather conditions. Members should be ready to confront these conditions while being able to help and encourage others that they are leading. 

CONSERVATION: Experience or a strong desire to learn the technical skills needed to effectively maintain public lands and having a flexible definition of what 'conservation' means. 

CREW MEMBER DEVELOPMENT: Experience or strong desire to learn and participate as an outdoor educator and/or mentor. 

DRIVING: Members are responsible for driving 8 – 12 passenger vehicles while pulling a trailer. To drive for SECC, members/leaders must have had their license for 3 consecutive years, have a clean driving record (insurable) and a current driver's license. 

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. 

• Frequently required to walk, hike, sit and talk or listen. 
• 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. 
• Required to drive an SECC vehicle. 
• Must be able to speak, understand, read and write English. 
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

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 SECC 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.

SUBSTANCE FREE 

In accordance to a drug free workplace, alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in AmeriCorps and program activities and while on organization property.  

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: Complete the Application, upload cover letter and resume if available. 

Any questions can be addressed to: 

_Lindsey Agee _

_Recruitment and Support Services Coordinator _

_423-322-4976 _

_Chattanooga, TN _

_lagee@conservationlegacy.org  _

Required Skills Required Experience

ABLE TO PASS TSA/HOMELAND SECURITY BACKGROUND CHECK OF 10 YEARS AND DRUG SCREEN

VALID STATE DRIVER’S LICENSE (STANDARD OR ENHANCED)

MUST BE AVAILABLE AND FLEXIBLE TO WORK VARIABLE SHIFTS INCLUDING WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS

Ability to speak, read and write English

Reports to work on a regular and timely basis

Able to work Indoor/Outdoor environment in various weather conditions

Ability to lift 30 lbs. without assistance and up to 50 lbs. with assistance

Some positions available that require you to drive and operate cargo handling equipment

Able to handle a fast-paced environment and have fun

JOB

Type: Full-time and Flexible schedules available to work with your life.

Salary: $16.00 /hour

Opportunities for advancement available

Work authorization: United States (Required)

BENEFITS: Health insurance, Dental insurance, Vision insurance, Retirement plan, Paid time off

This Job is a job for which military experienced candidates are encouraged to apply.  

Open to applicants who do not have a college diploma

Schedule:  Must be Flexible

MONDAY TO FRIDAY

WEEKENDS REQUIRED

HOLIDAYS REQUIRED

DAY SHIFT, NIGHT SHIFT, OVERTIME AVAILABLE

Shifts:

6- hour shifts, 8- hour shifts, 10 -hour shifts available

Company's website:

https://www.wfs.aero/careers/

Benefit Conditions: Waiting period may apply

Work Remotely: No