AmeriCorps Crew Member- Urban Archaeology Corps

Title: AmeriCorps Crew Member- 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: June 5^th- August 4^th, 2023

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

Wages: $600/week, paid biweekly. A $1,342.86 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:

Crew member positions are entry-level roles. Crew members are supported on a variety of levels, by their crew leaders, program staff, project partners, and Conservation Legacy staff. While prior experience with the outdoors or outdoor work can be helpful, it is not a necessity for this position. We ask that crew members embrace learning opportunities, face challenges, and build community with their crew. 

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.

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.    

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 personal vehicles into the field is not permitted.

• Hitch 1: 6/5/23-6/30/23
• Unpaid week off: 7/5/23-7/9/23
• Hitch 2: 7/10/23-8/4/23
• End Date: 8/4/23

  Benefits: 

• $600/week living stipend, paid bi-weekly  
• AmeriCorps Segal Education Award upon successful completion of 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) 
• Possible student loan forbearance 
• Member Assistance Program – 3 free sessions of support with a counseling or work-life balance specialist 
• Uniform shirts, helmet, work gloves, eye protection, and other necessary safety equipment is provided 
• In-field training 
• Depending upon the academic institution and program, crew member positions may fulfill internship requirements 
• Professional development opportunities (mentorship, resume support, alumni listserv, etc.) and exposure to natural resource career paths 

Required Skills: 

 Minimum Qualifications:    

• Must be between ages 18 and 30, or 35 if a military veteran 
• 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 $600 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.  

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 with 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