AmeriCorps Assistant Crew Leader- Urban Archaeology Corps

Title: AmeriCorps Assistant Crew Leader- Urban Archaeology Corps

Reports to: Crew Leader, Field Supervisor 

Locations: Crew will be based out of Chattanooga, Tennessee. Project work will take place within Cumberland Island National Seashore  

Season Dates: May 29^th- August 4^th, 2023

Status: This is a full-time, seasonal, exempt 300-hour AmeriCorps National Service position

Wages: $650/week, paid biweekly. A $1,374.60 AmeriCorps Education Award upon successful completion of the program 

Benefits: Food & transportation provided while in the field overnight, uniform shirts, and personal protective equipment. National Park Service (NPS) housing provided while on Cumberland Island. Members will also receive orientations and trainings as available 

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

Southeast Conservation Corps:
Engaging future leaders who protect, restore, and enhance our nation’s lands through community-based service.

Southeast Conservation Corps (SECC), a program of Conservation Legacy, is a non-profit, AmeriCorps-affiliated organization. SECC selects young adults, ages 18-30, to complete conservation work projects on public lands throughout the Southeast. SECC programs encourage environmental stewardship, foster community partnerships, and emphasize experiential learning. SECC serves a diverse population that is representative of the Southeast, including youth, graduates, veterans, and a cross-section of ethnicities and income levels. SECC is also an active member of the AmeriCorps Disaster Response Team (A-DRT), and as such, selected crews may be deployed on Disaster response projects for up to 30 days.

SECC works with a variety of land management agencies in Tennessee and throughout the Southeast region, such as the United States Forest Service, National Park Service, State Parks, and conservation-based non-profits. Projects vary but include trail construction and maintenance, ecosystem restoration, habitat restoration, fire fuels reduction, fencing on public lands, invasive weed removal, herbicide applications, and many others. The project work is manual labor based and most projects require a hike into and out of the project site daily carrying tools and a day pack.  

Position Summary:

The 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.    

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 requires mentorship, patience, technical aptitude, focus on efficiency, a high level of comfort in the outdoor and 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 work 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.

Project Work:

SECC’s Urban Archaeology Corps will be working with Cumberland Island National Seashore to conduct archaeological monitoring, survey, excavation of archaeological resources, and sometimes as part of technical assistance rendered to other non-NPS heritage partners. Fieldwork includes locating prehistoric and historic sites, recording archaeological and environmental data, maintaining essential field documentation, and reporting the information collected. The project will vary but include shovel testing, pedestrian survey, open excavations, back filling, artifact processing, and use of hand tools to remove vegetation. Laboratory work includes production of field catalogs and inventories of archaeological data, washing and sorting artifacts, analyzing artifacts, and field data, producing maps and drawings, database entry, and cataloging. In addition to archaeological work, projects may include some interdisciplinary work pertaining to natural resource management depending on the needs of the partnering agency.

Crew members will be carrying field packs 20 pounds or more across uneven ground and surfaces along with exposure to the environment. Members need to be comfortable with long hikes in all types of weather conditions and MUST be able to carry work equipment, personal equipment, and at least one gallon of water.

Schedule: 

The UAC crew will be expected to arrive at the SECC office and travel to worksite as a crew for four weeks in the field, followed by one week of unpaid time off, then returning to the field for an additional four weeks. Driving of personal vehicles into the field is not permitted.

• Leader training week: 5/29/23-6/2/23
• Hitch 1: 6/5/23-6/30/23
• Unpaid week off: 7/3/23-7/7/23
• Hitch 2: 7/10/23-8/4/23
• End Date: 8/4/23

The crew will tent camp in the field for the entire eight-week season if park housing is not available. Workdays are typically 8-10 hours with scheduled breaks throughout the day. Depending on project work and location, other schedule variations may be implemented. While the staff at SECC and partners work to provide consistency throughout the season, personal flexibility is expected and should be prepared for when entering the term as schedules, times, and work locations are subject to change per project needs.   

Required Skills:

Expectations of an SECC Corpsmember:

• Expect to work long days in a frontcountry or backcountry location. Workdays will contain hiking and strenuous labor in remote settings in all weather conditions.
• SECC is a, non-residential program, meaning crew members are responsible for attaining and paying for their own housing when not in the field.
• Crews prepare all their own meals and work together as a group to complete all necessary chores. Community/camp chores will be completed every evening, with many evenings including group discussions on conservation and/or corps related topics. 
• Crew members must supply their own personal outdoor gear and equipment such as a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, day pack, multi-day pack, work pants, hiking/work boots, etc. SECC will provide group camp equipment, tools, protective gear and transportation between SECC office and project sites. 
• While serving a term of National Service, SECC crews are expected to work in diverse team settings.  Respect for all members of the program, our partners, the public and the land they are visiting is expected. 
• SECC expects members to represent the program in a professional manner.  Crew life will include our corps values of challenge, stewardship, dedication, community, integrity, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). 
• Members are expected to be timely, hardworking, flexible, and complete all functions of tasks assigned.

Required Skills

 Minimum Qualifications:   

• Must be between ages 18 and 30
• Must be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident and provide primary documentation to support this
• Must be cleared through an acceptable check of the National Sex Offender Public Registry, as well as state and federal Criminal History Checks
• Must have a high school diploma, GED, or agree to work toward attaining either during term of service (this is essential to obtaining and using the AmeriCorps Education Award)

Preferred Qualifications:

• A general comfort and previous knowledge of working/living in an outdoor setting
• Working towards, or have successfully completed, a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor’s degree with courses in anthropology, archaeology, or related field(s), as well as an archaeology field school.

Compensation:   
AmeriCorps members will receive an AmeriCorps living stipend of $650 per week before taxes, dispersed biweekly. Upon successful completion of the term of service, AmeriCorps members will earn an AmeriCorps Segal Education Award to be used for student loans, qualifying programs/classes, or tuition for traditional Title IV accredited colleges.   

Participation and Expedition Behavior

• Work effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions. This may require problem-solving on an interpersonal or group level as well as a willingness to accept differences
• Contribute to a safe learning environment; no harassment of others for any reason.
• Willingness and ability to complete all aspects of the program including conservation projects, education, training and national service. Members must commit to participating in all crew/team activities, including service days in local communities where applicable.
• Effectively communicate ideas and concerns as they arise directly to supervisors, colleagues and organization staff.
• Have the cognitive ability to learn necessary skills and apply them to effectively carry out the service work requirements
• Appropriately represent the Program and AmeriCorps to the public and project partners at all times.

 
Safety and Judgment

• Effectively communicate danger to others in the form of either a warning of danger others may be encountering or a notification of personal distress, injury or need for assistance. You must be able to do so at a distance of up to 50 meters and in conditions with limited visibility or loud background noise such as darkness or high winds.
• Effectively perceive, understand and follow direction by others so that you will be able to successfully execute appropriate and perhaps unfamiliar techniques to manage hazards. These directions may be given before the hazard is encountered or may need to be given during exposure to the hazard.
• Stay alert and focused for several hours at a time while traveling and working 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. 

Required Experience

Participant Essential Eligibility Requirements:
Essential eligibility requirements for the program must be met. If you are unable to meet certain requirements, we may be able to assist you with some modification unless it alters the fundamental nature of the program, compromises the health and safety of participants or staff, or places an undue financial or administrative burden on the organization. These requirements are written the same for all positions and therefore may not apply directly to your particular position.

• Frequently required to walk, hike, sit and talk or listen
• Required to use hands to operate objects, tools or controls, and to reach with hands and arms
• Regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds
• Specific vision abilities required by the position include close vision and the ability to focus
• Required to drive an SECC vehicle
• Must be able to speak, understand, read and write English
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

Required Skills:

Leadership & Mentorship

• Manage, supervise, and lead the day-to-day details of project work
• 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 healthy, supportive community
• Develop plan for personal and professional growth under mentorship of Staff Crew Lead
• Must be willing to follow and enforce all SECC policies, maintain professional boundaries, and appropriately represent Southeast Conservation Corps

Project Management & Implementation

• Assist in training and motivating a crew of 6 young adults to complete conservation projects efficiently on public lands
• Delegate project work & investment among crew
• Manage on-the-ground quality and quantity of project work
• Think critically to resolve issues and solve problems
• Communicate effectively & coordinate logistics with project partners, Staff Crew Leader, & SECC staff

Safety & Risk Management

• Implement and enforce SECC’s COVID-19 Pandemic Policies and Procedures (when needed)
• Monitor, manage, and promote the crew’s physical and emotional safety on and off the work site
• Exhibit strong situational awareness & promote a culture of safety
• Transport crew and equipment safely in SECC’s vans or large vehicles with trailers

Administration

• As delegated by Staff Crew Leader, complete professional documentation of time sheets, daily and weekly reports, corps member and peer evaluations, disciplinary action forms, incident reports, etc., and submit in a timely manner
• Responsible for all project related outcomes and deliverables

Safety and Judgment

• Effectively communicate danger to others in the form of either a warning of danger others may be encountering or a notification of personal distress, injury or need for assistance. You must be able to do so at a distance of up to 50 meters and in conditions with limited visibility or loud background noise such as darkness or high winds.
• Effectively perceive, understand and follow direction by others so that you will be able to successfully execute appropriate and perhaps unfamiliar techniques to manage hazards. These directions may be given before the hazard is encountered or may need to be given during exposure to the hazard.
• Stay alert and focused for several hours at a time while traveling and working 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
• Monitor, manage, and promote the crew’s physical and emotional safety on and off the work site
• Exhibit strong situational awareness & promote a culture of safety
• Transport crew and equipment safely in SECC’s vans or large SUVs with trailers

 Environmental Ethics

• Learn, practice, and teach ‘Leave no Trace’ techniques

 Outdoor Skills and Fitness (where appropriate)

• Learn and safely perform fundamental outdoor living/travel and work skills as appropriate to the project. Additionally, remain adequately hydrated, fed, and properly dressed so as 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 of this environment may vary significantly and may include severe and/or trying weather. The remoteness is such that it may require at a minimum one hour, but perhaps in excess of 12 hours, to reach the nearest advanced medical care

Substance Free

In accordance to a drug free workplace, 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.

This program is available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, marital or parental status, genetic information, and military service. Where a significant portion of the population eligible to be served needs services or information in a language other than English, the recipient shall take reasonable steps to provide written material of the type ordinarily available to the public in appropriate languages.

Any questions can be addressed to:

Kelsey Durr

Field Supervisor

kdurr@conservationlegacy.org