AmeriCorps Assistant Crew Leader – Boundary Marking Crew

It means more than just showing up, it means setting an example of how to persevere with great enthusiasm through all kinds of conditions while practicing good judgement and safety. It means facilitating a learning experience for Crew Members, both formally and informally.  This position may require 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 projects 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.  

The renewal/maintenance of US Forest Service exterior boundary lines to FS boundary line marking standards to verify oil and gas lease applications as well as mining and prospecting claims.  

The maintenance of existing FS exterior boundary corners to FS standards to ensure accuracy of all mineral lease applications by Updating corner cards (manually and/or electronically)  

Collecting field data related to leasing and maintenance activities (manually and/or electronically)  

Other surveying and mapping land boundary activities as needed for verifying the accuracy of current and future leasing of minerals.  

Expect to spend long days in a frontcountry or backcountry location. Project days will include 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 while in-field and as a group 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 participating in a term of National Service, SECC crews engage in a variety of team dynamics, emphasizing respect for fellow members, partners, the public, and the land they encounter. 

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.   

Be between the ages of 18 and 30 (exception for Veterans up to age 35)    

Have US Citizenship or Legal Permanent Residency status    

Have a high school diploma or GED   

Pass background checks: all offers of positions are conditional upon completion of an acceptable check of the National Sex Offender Public Registry and Federal and/or State criminal background check   

Must be eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award (individuals are eligible if they have not already completed 2 full years of AmeriCorps service, or 4 AmeriCorps service terms, whichever comes first – please contact us if you are unsure of your eligibility)  

Willingness to commit fully to the program  

Leadership experience with youth or young adults  

Excellent organizational & communication skills  

Must be able to demonstrate strong project management skills  

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

Ability to effectively and efficiently manage all aspects of crew life and production within a hitch schedule  

Flexibility, adaptability and capacity to thrive in a fluid, changing 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  

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

Must be 21+, OR have a clean driving record for 3+years (insurable by SECC) and a current driver’s license  

Willingness to deploy on a Disaster Response  

Experience with backcountry navigation skills using compass/ArcGIS system   

0-1 years’ experience with SECC, other conservation corps or youth corps  

Background with experiential and/or environmental education  

Current and relevant certification in Wilderness Medicine (WFA, WAFA, WFR) with CPR/AED  

Leadership experience with youth or young adults  

Eagerness to take part in various conservation-based projects 

Technical trail construction and maintenance experience  

Strong conflict resolution skills  

Experience with Disaster Response  

Relevant Bachelor’s Degree  

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

Serve 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 project requirements   

Appropriately represent the Program and AmeriCorps to the public and project partners at all times.   

Manage, supervise, and lead the day-to-day details of service project  

Implement skills training on project-site 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  

Must be willing to follow and enforce all SECC policies, maintain professional boundaries, and appropriately represent Southeast Conservation Corps. This includes creating a substance free environment, refraining from the use of tobacco products, alcohol, and drugs while involved in the program  

Train and motivate a crew of young adults to complete roving boundary marking maintenance/ other as-needed projects on public lands  

Delegate project tasks & investment among co-leader and crew  

Manage on-the-ground quality and quantity of service project  

Think critically to resolve issues and solve problems  

Communicate effectively & coordinate logistics with project partners, co-leader, & SECC staff  

Monitor, manage, and promote the crew’s physical and emotional safety on and off the project site  

Exhibit strong situational awareness & promote a culture of safety  

Transport crew and equipment safely in SECC’s vans or large vehicles with trailers  

As delegated by Staff Crew Leader, complete professional documentation of time sheets, daily and weekly project reports, corps member and peer evaluations, incident reports, etc., and submit in a timely manner  

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 serving n 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.    

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

Learn and safely perform fundamental outdoor living, travel, and industry 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.