Conservation Crew Leader

Job Overview

Position Title: AmeriCorps Crew Leader – Saw/Trail Crew

Location: Based out of Harrisonburg, VA

Compensation: $675 per week ($500 living stipend + $175 additional benefit)

Terms of Service

Start Date: August 25th, 2025

End Date: November 18th, 2025

AmeriCorps Education Award: $1,950 upon successful completion of service term

Purpose

Appalachian Conservation Corps (ACC) works to connect young people to critical conservation service work across Appalachia and neighboring communities in Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Maryland, DC, and Pennsylvania.  As a corps program, ACC partners with public land managers to identify, plan, and complete projects that improve public access, habitat quality, and economic development. ACC is a program of Conservation Legacy, a nationwide network of conservation service organizations envisioning a world with healthy lands, air, and water, thriving people, and resilient communities. ACC aims to engage future leaders who protect, restore, and enhance our public lands through community-based service. ACC welcomes national applicants but also emphasizes the engagement of local individuals who represent the communities in which they serve.

Description of Duties

The AmeriCorps Crew Leader (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.

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

Projects take place across the Appalachian Region, including partnerships with the US Forest Service, the National Park Service, and other land managers. During their time in the field, crews camp overnight and work outdoors in all types of weather conditions, performing heavy manual labor related to environmental conservation and restoration projects. These hands-on projects include visitor access improvements, trail construction and maintenance, habitat restoration, invasive species removal, re-vegetation, and much more. Most projects require hiking out to remote work sites for the day with tools, equipment, and day pack.

Project Management & Implementation

• Train and motivate a crew of four young adults to complete conservation projects efficiently on public lands.
• Delegate project work and investment amongst the crew.
• Manage on-the-ground quality and quantity of project work.
• Think critically to resolve issues and solve problems.
• Communicate effectively and coordinate logistics with project partners, staff crew leader, members, and ACC staff.

Safety & Risk Management 

• Monitor, manage, and promote the crew’s physical and emotional safety on and off the work site.
• Exhibit strong situational awareness and promote a culture of safety.
• Transport crew and equipment safely in ACC’s vans or large vehicles with trailers.

Administration

• Manage crew medical history forms and incident documentation in conjunction with the staff crew leader

Expectations

ACC is an independent, non-residential program. Participants are responsible for their own housing, food, and transportation when they are not in the field. While participants will be asked to supply as much of their personal equipment as possible, loaner gear will be available if needed, especially for more expensive items such as tents and sleeping bags. A gear list is provided upon acceptance into the program.

Food is provided while in the field. Crews work together to plan meals and complete all necessary chores (cooking, washing dishes, etc.). Most dietary restrictions can be accommodated if known ahead of time. In addition to providing food while in the field, ACC will provide group camp equipment, tools, protective gear, and transportation between ACC offices and project sites.

General Qualifications

• Be between the ages of 18 and 30 (exception for veterans up to age 35).
• Be a United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident.
• Have 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.
• Willingness to participate in community-building activities and solution-oriented problem solving with peer leaders.
• Experience with backpacking, wilderness living and travel, LNT principles.
• Clean driving record (insurable by ACC) and current driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications

• Understanding of and experience with the mission and field management considerations of conservation corps and public land agencies.
• Technical trails, Crosscut or Chainsaw experience.
• Background with experiential and/or environmental education.
• Facilitation and team-building experience with diverse groups of people.
• Strong conflict resolution skills.
• Current Wilderness First Aid Certification with CPR/AED.

Our Commitment

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential functions. Some positions may require periodic overnight travel, non-traditional 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

While in the field, crews work 10 hours a day. The day starts with a stretch circle and safety meeting and includes two fifteen-minute breaks and a half hour break for lunch. Members may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.

Prior to their start date, selected participants are required to complete an enrollment process that includes completing e-forms, uploading IDs, and beginning their background check process.

Benefits

• $1,950 Segal AmeriCorps Education Award upon successful completion of service term.
• $675 week stipend paid bi-weekly ($500 living stipend + $175 additional benefit)
• AmeriCorps members may be eligible for student loan forbearance.
• Member Assistance Program – 3 free sessions of support with a counseling or work-life balance specialist
• Uniform shirts, hard hats, work gloves, eye protection, and other necessary protective equipment are provided.
• Professional development opportunities (mentorship, resume support, etc.) and exposure to natural resource career paths.

Orientation and Evaluation

Participants will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps’ prohibited and unallowable activities. 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, biweekly timesheets and accomplishment tracking.

ACC supports a culture of feedback and growth. Participants 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. Participants will also be asked to evaluate the program and their experience at the end of their term.

Recruiter Name and Contact Information

Eleanor Trott

[email protected]

Conservation 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 accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.