Cumberland Trail Crew: Crew Member-AmeriCorps

Position Title: Cumberland Trail Crew: Crew Member – AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Southeast Conservation Corps

Site Location: Based out of the SECC office in Chattanooga, TN, camping and serving in various locations along the Justin P. Wilson Cumberland Trail State Scenic Trail.

Terms of Service:

Start Date: 01/25/2027

End Date: 04/30/2027

AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 450 Hours

Purpose:

Southeast Conservation Corps works to empower youth (ages 15-17) and adults (ages 18-30, up to 35 for veterans) to cultivate compassion, responsibility and life skills through community service, hard work and land stewardship throughout the Southeast region of the United States. As an AmeriCorps program, Southeast Conservation Corps collaborates with land management agencies (United States Forest Service, National Park Service, state parks, local municipalities, and non-profits) to host crews and individual placements.

Southeast Conservation Corps AmeriCorps positions provide impactful educational and service opportunities that benefit both communities and landscapes. We encourage applications from across the nation but also recognize that Southeast Conservation Corps participants reflect the population of the Southeast region- including youth, high school and college graduates, veterans, and individuals from various backgrounds.

Crew Member Position:

The crew member position is an entry-level role. During their time in the field, crews will perform heavy manual labor to complete conservation and restoration projects. Most projects require hiking through difficult terrain to remote project sites while carrying up to 50lbs of gear and equipment. Crew members will camp overnight, serve outdoors (in all weather conditions), maintain equipment, and perform all duties with safety as a top priority. Prior experience in the outdoors or with outdoor work can be helpful, but it is not a requirement for this position. We ask that crew members embrace the learning opportunities, preserve through challenges, and build community with their crew.

Project Description:

SECC has partnered with the Cumberland Trail Conservancy and the Cumberland Trail State Park to host a Cumberland Trail Crew. The Cumberland Trail State Scenic Trail stretches roughly 300 miles across eastern Tennessee, providing users with access to waterfalls, overlooks, and a rugged experience. The Cumberland Trail Crew will build and maintain segments of the Cumberland Trail to finish connecting the route and maintaining the existing segments. The crew will be based out of SECC’s office in Chattanooga, TN and travel to complete various conservation projects across the Justin P. Wilson Cumberland Trail State Scenic Trail. The crew will be managed by land managers who will collaborate with crews to complete conservation projects. Crew members should expect a mix of primitive camping and front country camping.

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. However, tasks may also include, but are not limited to:

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Trail construction and maintenance

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Corridor cleaning

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Invasive species removal

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Community Service

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Collaboration with CTC's Crew

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Potential work with the volunteers and partnering agencies through CTC

Crew Life:

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Crew Model: SECC crews consist of 2 crew leaders and 4 crew members

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Hitch Schedule: Crews operate on a 9-day, 5-day off (Tuesday-Wednesday) schedule. Project days are 10-hour shifts with two 15-minute breaks, and one 30-minute unpaid lunch scheduled each day.

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Camping: Crews will camp in the primitive front country for the duration of the season, with lodging provided on a case-by-case basis.

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Housing, Food, and Transportation: This is a nonresidential program. Housing, food, and transportation are not provided in the off hitch. Members are responsible for providing their own lodging, food, and transportation when not in the field. Food and transportation will be provided when in the field. Dietary restrictions can be accommodated if communicated in advance.

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Gear: SECC will provide tools, group camp equipment, and personal protective equipment. Members must supply their own personal gear, including: day pack, water bottles, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, tent, and boots. SECC has a limited supply of gear to loan to members, but it may not fit personal preference or needs.

Qualifications:

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United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident status

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Between the ages of 18-30 (or up to the age of 35 for veterans)

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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

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Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.

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General comfort with or prior experience in outdoor environments

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Ability to quickly acquire and learn new skills and techniques

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Ability to cooperate in a team with varied skills, abilities, and perspectives

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Willing to spend long days in challenging environments

Preferred Qualifications:

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1-2 seasons of technical trail construction and maintenance experience

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General comfort with and prior experience in outdoor environments

Our Commitment:

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full consideration of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided with 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:

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This position is expected to serve from 01/25/2027 to 04/30/2027, but exact service schedules may vary. A half hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service

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Members may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.

Orientation and Training:

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Members will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.

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Crew members who attend the full two-week orientation period will receive training and certifications in: United States Forest Service- recognized chainsaw training and Wilderness First Aid

Benefits:

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Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $1,956.35 upon successful completion of the program

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Living Allowance of $480 per week

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Additional Benefit of $120 per week

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Food & transportation provided while in the field

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Uniform shirts & personal protective equipment provided

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Developmental opportunities when available

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.

To Apply:

Complete the application and upload a current resume and cover letter.

Any questions can be addressed to:

Reagan Phillips- Recruitment Coordinator

rphillips@conservationlegacy.org

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.