USFS Region 8 Helene Recovery Crew– AmeriCorps Assistant Crew Leader

Title: USFS Region 8 Helene Recovery Crew–AmeriCorps Assistant Crew Leader   

jobshiringnearme.org Legacy Program: Southeast jobshiringnearme.org Corps  

Reports to: Crew Leader, Program Coordinator 

Site Location: Crew will be based out of Chattanooga, TN, camping and serving in various locations within the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest  

Terms of Service:  

• Start Date: February 23, 2026
• End Date: May 15, 2026 (with options to extend service through the 2026 season)
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 450 hour

Status: This is a full-time, exempt, seasonal,12-week-450-hour AmeriCorps National Service position  

Benefits:  

• Segal AmeriCorps education Award of $1,956.35 upon successful completion of the program
• Living Allowance of $480 per week
• Additional Benefit of $170 per week
• Healthcare Coverage if Eligible
• Childcare Coverage if Eligible
• Loan forbearance if Eligible
• Interest Payments if Eligible

Other Benefits: Public Land Corps Hiring Authority Certificate (upon successful completion of hours), food & transportation provided while in the field overnight, uniform shirts, personal protective equipment, and other developmental opportunities as available  

Crew Structure: 1 Crew Leader, 1 Assistant Crew Leader, 4 Crew Members  

Purpose — About Southeast jobshiringnearme.org Corps (SECC):   
Empowering youth and adults to cultivate compassion, responsibility and life skills through community service, hard work and land stewardship. 

SECC, a program of jobshiringnearme.org Legacy, is a non-profit AmeriCorps program. We engage youth (age 15-17) and young adults (ages 18-30, up to 35 for veterans) in service projects on public lands throughout the Southeast. SECC collaborates with land management agencies (United States Forest Service, National Park Service, State Parks, local municipalities, and non-profits) to host day or overnight camping crews and individual placements. 

Our AmeriCorps positions provide impactful educational and service opportunities that benefit both communities and landscapes. SECC’s participants reflect the population of the Southeast region, including youth, graduates, veterans, and individuals from various ethnic and economic backgrounds. 

Position Summary:   

The AmeriCorps Assistant Crew Leader (ACL) is responsible for facilitating a positive Crew Member experience.  The 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.  Our 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. It also creates an intentional space for groups that are under-represented to step into conservation and natural resource management.     

It means more than just showing up, it means setting an example of how to persevere with great enthusiasm through all kinds of conditions while practicing good judgement and safety. It means facilitating a learning experience for Crew Members, both formally and informally.  This position may require additional participation time outside of standard project and crew hours.   

This position will be coached and mentored by an SECC Staff Crew Leader. ACLs are responsible for maintaining SECC’s high standards for technical projects and hands-on member growth, managing projects and implementing feedback among crew members. The ACL Position is a key development opportunity designed to identify and overcome challenges in leadership through a hands-on leadership role in conjunction with close mentorship from the Staff Crew Leader. Qualified candidates will identify growth plans and assist the Staff Crew Leader in administrative functions.  

Service Project:   

The crew will be based out of SECC’s office in Chattanooga, TN and travel to complete various conservation projects directly supporting Hurricane Helene disaster recovery efforts in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. The crew will collaborate with U.S. Forest Service land managers to complete conservation projects.    

In 2024, the southeast was impacted by Hurricane Helene, causing significant damage to trails and recreation areas within national forests. This crew will focus on repairing storm-impacted trails by constructing trail reroutes, restoring damaged tread, repairing bridges, re-establishing trail corridor, and logging out down trees. Trail maintenance will require use of carpentry and hand tools. During their time in the field, crew members camp overnight and serve outdoors on rugged terrain in all weather conditions, often in remote wilderness areas, performing heavy manual labor related to conservation and restoration projects.  Most projects require hiking out to project sites for the day with tools, equipment, and a day pack.  

Service projects vary depending on seasonal factors and safety considerations. While the staff at SECC and partners strive to provide consistency throughout the season, personal flexibility is expected and should be prepared for when entering the term as schedules, times, and project locations are subject to change per project needs. Tasks may include, but are not limited to:     

• Repair and construct trail bridges and boardwalks
• Trail construction and maintenance
• ex. Water bars, drain dips, reroutes of sections of trail, fixing slope
• Corridor clearing
• Repair or install water structures along trails
• Log out trails impacted by fallen trees
• Invasive species removal
• Community service

Crew Life:    

• Crew Structure: This crew consists of 4 crew members and 2 crew leaders who will provide project expertise, mentorship, training, and support to ensure the success of all participants.

Hitch Schedule: This crew will operate on a Tuesday to Wednesday, 9 day on 5 day off hitch schedule with 10-hour shifts and scheduled breaks throughout the day. Most projects involve strenuous manual labor in all weather conditions and require hiking to and from the project sites daily, carrying tools and day packs. 

• Camping: Frontcountry
• Housing: While on hitch, applicants should be prepared to camp throughout the season, with lodging provided on a case-by-case basis if necessary. Housing is not provided from Wednesday-Monday evenings. Crew members are responsible for securing their own housing arrangements while not in the field.
• Food: Food is provided while in the field. Dietary restrictions can be accommodated if communicated in advance.
• Chores: Crew members collaborate to manage camp chores (planning meals, shopping, cooking, washing dishes, etc.) and participate in any group discussions.
• Gear: Members must supply their own personal outdoor gear (day pack, water bottle, work pants, hiking/work boots, tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, backpack). SECC has a limited supply of loaner gear available for crew members to borrow, but it may not fit personal preferences or specific needs. SECC will provide tools, group camp equipment, and personal protective equipment
• Transportation: SECC will provide transportation between SECC office and project sites.

General Qualifications:       

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
• Must be between ages 18 and 30, or up to 35 if a military veteran.
• Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of elementary or secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant, and agrees to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.

Minimum Qualifications:        

• Willingness to commit fully to the program and its mission
• Physically fit and able to perform long days in adverse conditions
• Leadership experience with youth or young adults
• Excellent organizational & communication skills
• Must be able to demonstrate strong project management skills
• Strong time-management skills and ability to collaborate independently as well as with others
• Ability to effectively and efficiently manage all aspects of crew life and production within a hitch schedule
• Flexibility, adaptability and capacity to thrive in a fluid, changing environment
• Willingness to learn and be a part of a dynamic community of peer leaders
• Must be adaptive, patient and able to maintain a positive perspective throughout
• Experience with backpacking, wilderness living and travel, and LNT principles
• Must be 21+, OR have a clean driving record for 3+years (insurable by SECC) and a current driver’s license

Preferred Qualifications:     

• Crew leadership experience in a relevant field (trail crews, experiential education, outdoor leadership schools, conservation crews, etc.)
• Chainsaw operation (felling/bucking) and maintenance experience
• Basic carpentry skills, ability to operate carpentry power tools (drills, circular saw, hammer, measuring tape)
• Current and relevant certification in Wilderness Medicine (WFA, WAFA, WFR) with CPR/AED
• Experience with experiential and/or environmental education.
• Experience with backpacking, wilderness living and travel.
• Facilitation and team-building experience with diverse groups of people.
• Time-management skills and ability to work independently as well as with others.
• Strong conflict resolution skills.
• Technical trails, Crosscut or Chainsaw experience.
• Sense of humor, spirit of adventure, and desire to make a positive difference and promote leadership in others.

Our Commitment: 

 jobshiringnearme.org Legacy is committed to the full consideration of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential job functions. Physical requirements may include periodic overnight travel, non-traditional work hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. The ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the Application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.    

Time Requirements: 

• Typically, this position is expected to serve February to May, but exact service schedules may vary. A half hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service
• Members may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.

 Orientation and Training: 

• Members will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
• The crew will spend the first three weeks of their season completing onboarding, receiving their FirstAid/CPR and chainsaw related certifications, and completing fire courses

**SECC is a nonresidential program. Housing is not provided during off-hitch (Wednesday-Monday) evenings. Crew members are responsible for securing their own housing arrangements while not in the field. 

Evaluation and Reporting: 

As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of hours, the member has satisfactorily completed assignments, and if the member has met other performance criteria that were clearly communicated at the beginning of the term of service. 

Reporting requirements include, but are not limited to, bi-weekly timesheets and accomplishment tracking. 

Participant Behavior Expectations:    

Professionalism:    

• Be punctual, hardworking, and flexible. Appropriately represent SECC and AmeriCorps to the public and project partners at all times.

Participation:  

• Learn all necessary skills and apply them to complete all aspects of the program including conservation projects, education, training, and national service.
• Commit to participating in all crew/team activities, including service days in local communities where applicable.

Positive Atmosphere:  

• Contribute to a positive and safe culture, free from harassment.

• Demonstrate teamwork and respect for fellow members, partners, the public, and the land. This may require problem-solving on an interpersonal or group level and a willingness to accept differences.

Corps Values:  

• Strive for an experience grounded in the corps values of challenge, stewardship, dedication, community, and integrity.

Safety and Judgment:    

• Effectively communicate ideas, concerns, and danger as they arise directly to colleagues, supervisor, and program staff.
• Effectively perceive, understand, and follow directions by others so that you will be able to successfully execute appropriate techniques to manage hazards.
• Stay alert and focused for several hours at a time while traveling and serving 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.

Outdoor Skills:    

• Learn and safely perform fundamental outdoor living, travel, and industry skills as appropriate to the project. Additionally, remain adequately hydrated, fed, and properly dressed 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 may vary significantly and may include severe and/or trying weather. The remoteness is such that it may require at least one hour, but perhaps in excess of 12 hours, to reach the nearest advanced medical care.
• Practice ‘Leave no Trace’ principles to preserve public spaces

Substance Free:   

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

To Apply: Complete the Application, upload cover letter and resume.   

Any questions can be addressed to:   

Rhett Robinson 

Program Coordinator 

rhett@conservationlegacy.org  

jobshiringnearme.org Legacy is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.  

We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodations due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.