Front Country Recreation Teams for the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests

Job Overview

Title: Front Country Recreation Teams for the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests 

Location: Multiple positions available in the following locations –  

Blacksburg, VA or Natural Bridge, VA 

Harrisonburg, VA 

Hot Springs, VA 

Norton, VA 

Lyndhurst, VA 

Start Dates:  March or April 2026 for 50-week terms 

Pay: Lead member: $800/week ($600/living stipend + $200/additional benefit 

        Regular member: $760/week ($600/living stipend + $160/additional benefit) 

Status: This is a full-time 40 hour/week, temporary AmeriCorps National Service position. 

Questions? Contact [email protected] 

Please submit a resume and cover letter with your application. Individual applications for each location can be found at this link- www.appalachiancc.org/individualplacements. We are accepting applications until February 28th. 

Appalachian Conservation Corps:  

Our Individual Placement program works to connect young people to conservation service work across Appalachia and neighboring communities in Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, DC, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. ACC is a program of Conservation Legacy, a nationwide network of conservation organizations.   

As an AmeriCorps program, participants commit to a term of service at their placement site in order to gain hands-on experience and a variety of benefits to help them succeed in achieving their career goals. ACC welcomes national applicants, but also emphasizes the engagement of local individuals who represent the communities in which they serve.   

Position Summary: 

The George Washington and Jefferson National Forests are dedicated to providing safe, sustainable, and enriching outdoor experiences for the public. Our mission is to manage and maintain a diverse range of recreation sites—including campgrounds, day-use areas, and trail systems—while promoting environmental stewardship, public engagement, and equitable access to public lands. 

The Front Country Recreation Teams will support daily operations and maintenance across Forest Service-managed campgrounds, day-use areas, and other popular recreation areas. This position is ideal for individuals pursuing careers in natural resource management, outdoor recreation, or federal land agency service. 

ACC in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service are hiring multiple AmeriCorps teams to support recreation areas across Virginia. During their term, members will gain experience in front country developed recreation operations. There will be optional training opportunities, which may include chainsaw certification (e.g., S-212) and other field-based skill development depending on interest and availability. 

Essential roles and responsibilities include:  

• Collaborating with Forest Service staff and campground hosts to ensure compliance with agency standards and public expectations. 

• Performing routine maintenance at developed recreation sites, including cleaning restrooms, removing trash, and restocking supplies Inspecting and maintaining infrastructure such as picnic tables, fire rings, kiosks, and signage 

• Assisting with minor repairs, landscaping, and amenity upkeep at developed recreation sites . 

• Participating in special projects such as trail work, interpretive installations, or infrastructure improvements.  

• Monitoring visitor use and reporting safety concerns, vandalism, or resource damage to Forest Service staff. 

• Make public interactions to present forest information and provide for an enjoyable recreation experience.  

• Conduct trail surveys and maintenance.  

Lead position additional responsibilities: 

• Serve as a team leader to assist with project communication and coordination 

• Manage credit card purchases, submitting receipts monthly 

• Assist with data collection and monthly accomplishment reports 

• Coordinate vehicle maintenance drop off 

General Qualifications:  

To qualify, 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. In addition, applicants must:  

• Possess a valid driver’s license  

• Obtain a First Aid/CPR certification by their first day of service 

• Physically capable of strenuous field activities (off-trail hiking, monitoring, survey, etc.) for 10 hours in adverse conditions (high heat, high humidity, biting insects, rough terrain, inclement weather) while carrying up to 40 lbs. 

Desired Skills/Qualifications:  

• Preferred recreation operations and trail experience.  

Benefits:  

• $7,395 AmeriCorps Segal Education Award upon successful completion of 1700 hour service term (award amount varies based on length of commitment and can be used for paying off federal student loans or paying tuition for a Title IV accredited college)  

• Option to enroll in health, vision and dental insurance 

• Eligibility for the Public Land Corps Hiring Authority upon successful completion – noncompetitive hiring status for two years when applying for federal positions. 

• Federal student loan forbearance and interest payoff 

• Member Assistance Program– 3 free sessions of support with a counseling or work-life balance specialist  

• Additional subject-specific certifications and trainings may be offered (Chainsaw training, pesticides, etc) 

• Depending upon the academic institution and program, positions may fulfill internship requirements  

• Professional development opportunities (mentorship, resume support, alumni listserv, etc.) and exposure to natural resource career paths  

Our Commitment: 

Conservation 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.    

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