Vegetation Management Crew Leader

We provide an opportunity for young adults to do meaningful work on our public lands. Serving on a conservation crew is an immersive experience. Days filled with sweat, mud, hard work and beautiful country are all part of the job. The effort pays off when CCNC participants come out of the field feeling strong, confident and passionate for the outdoors and their work. CCNC will reach out to local young adults for local projects. Participants will receive a bi-weekly living allowance and an AmeriCorps education award.

Job Overview

Position Summary:  

For this exciting opportunity, we are recruiting crew members to join us on a Vegetation Management crew –comprised of 1 CCNC staff Crew Leader, 1 AmeriCorps Assistant Crew Leader, and 4 AmeriCorps Members. The crew will be completing service projects with The Nature Conservancy to improve ecosystem health by making timber stand improvements.   The crew will also complete service with the National Park Service on Cape Lookout to remove non-native invasive plant species  This is a great chance to gain experience working with The Nature Conservancy & The National Park Service on a variety of different vegetation management tactics. This position may use chainsaws, brush cutters, hand saws, loppers, and a variety of mechanical/non-mechanical and chemical tools to remove plant species. Additionally, the crew should expect to work on rugged terrain in inclement weather with technical, advanced cutting operations. The work will be arduous and fast-paced in areas of high exposure. 

The Crew Leader position is an opportunity to make a difference in young peoples’ lives while completing conservation projects on public and private lands. Leaders will be mentors, educators, and facilitators for young adults, working to promote the health and resiliency of our land, air, and water. 

Standard schedule generally consists of 9 days on-hitch (out in the field as a crew unit) and 5 days off with some exceptions. Crew Leaders may also be required to come in for an additional day each hitch cycle to complete administrative duties and check-ins with program staff. On-hitch, crews camp together, prepare all meals together, and work together as a group to complete all projects and chores.   

The Crew Leader position requires patience, a consistently positive mental attitude, mentorship, technical aptitude, focus on efficiency, and a high level of competence in the outdoors. It also involves an administration role, where weekly paperwork is due in a timely manner to supervisors. Finally, crew leaders must exhibit the ability to effectively work on teams with those from a variety of populations and communities.  

Responsibilities:   

Leadership & Mentorship  

• Mentor assistant crew leader (or Crew Leader in Development Program CLDP): provide valuable feedback, give opportunities for growth, delegate responsibilities, and encourage technical and leadership skill development. 

• Implement skills training on worksite and facilitate intentional discussions via informal lessons to contribute to the crew’s personal growth and group dynamics.   

• Promote individual corps member development and a safe, healthy, cohesive, other-centered and team-oriented community.   

• Follow and enforce all policies, maintain professional boundaries, and appropriately represent the program. This includes creating a substance free work environment, refraining from the use of tobacco products, alcohol, and drugs while involved in the program.   

Project Management & Implementation   

• Train, motivate and supervise a crew of young adults to efficiently complete tasks and objectives outlined in conservation projects, while working long hours and managing high quality of work and crew morale.  

• Think critically to resolve issues and problems, requesting assistance or help when needed.   

• Communicate & coordinate logistics with project partners, Assistant Crew Leader (or Crew Leader in Development), & staff   

Safety & Risk Management   

• Monitor, manage, and promote the holistic health of the crew, including physical and emotional (intimidation free community environment) safety.    

• Exhibit strong situational awareness & promote a culture of safety.   

• Transport crew and equipment safely in organizational vans or large SUVs with trailers in accordance with CL Driver policy.  

• Manage and document incidents in the field and activate incident response system, if needed, per Conservation Legacy policy. 

Administration   

• Thorough documentation of crew hours, accomplishments, disciplinary actions taken, and incident response according to Conservation Legacy policy and procedure    

• Manage food budget and credit card purchases. 

• Track and submit credit card receipts for all expenses every month. 

Camp Management 

• Oversee, manage, and assign camp chores (or camp tasks). 

• Monitor and manage crew community needs in camp. 

• Instruct crew in how to create a safe, hygienic, and tidy camp environment while mitigating crew caused impacts to campsites, practicing minimum impact camping techniques. 

• Maintain all program policies and procedures in camp environment. 

• Leading a camping crew is an intensive commitment requiring a continuous physical presence. Leaders must remain physically present, and cognitively and emotionally available to support community and individual crew member needs. 

Required Qualifications: 

• Have a Faller B Chainsaw certification (Or ready to evaluate as one) 

• Willingness to commit fully to the program and its mission 

• Ability to effectively and manage all aspects of crew life and production within a 40-50-hour work week 

• Flexibility, adaptability and capacity to work in a fluid, changing work 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 

• Physically fit and able to work long days in adverse conditions 

• Must be able to speak, understand and write English 

• High School diploma or GED certificate 

• Must be 21, have a clean driving record (insurable by Conservation Legacy) and a current driver’s license. 

• Must be able to pass Conservation Legacy’s criminal history check requirements 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Must hold current/relevant Wilderness First Aid Certification or basic first aid with CPR, or be able to acquire during or before crew training 

• Experience with CCNC or other conservation corps 

• Experience with experiential and/or environmental education 

• Experience with backpacking, wilderness living and travel, and LNT principles. 

• Facilitation and team-building experience with diverse groups of people 

• Strong time-management skills and ability to work independently as well as with others 

• Desire to work on a variety of conservation-based projects 

• Strong conflict resolution skills 

• Leadership experience with youth or young adults 

• Rigging experience 

• Technical trail experience 

• Sense of humor, spirit of adventure, and desire to make a positive difference and promote leadership in others. 

Any questions can be addressed to:   

Drew Gotwals, [email protected] 

To Apply:
To be considered, a resume must be attached to the application. Submitting a cover letter is optional. 

Substance Free   

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

“Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to hiring a breadth of diverse professionals and encourage members of diverse groups to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, political affiliation, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, 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 a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.”