LENGTH Full-time, temporary, 18 weeks

LOCATION Durham, NC (Transportation Accommodations Provided)

LIVING ALLOWANCE $330 per week.

AMERICORPS AWARD AmeriCorps members are eligible for a $2,417 AmeriCorps education award upon successful completion of the program.

AGES 18-27

DATES Mid-July to October, 2021

CONSERVATION CORPS NORTH CAROLINA’S BIPOC (BLACK, INDIGENOUS, PEOPLE OF COLOR) CONSERVATION CORPS TRAIL CREW IS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO TRAIN AND PROVIDE JOB SKILLS TO YOUNG BIPOC ADULTS FOR OUTDOOR INDUSTRY JOBS.

The mission of Conservation Corps North Carolina (CCNC) is to empower young adults through meaningful outdoor work that benefits North Carolina’s land and water and creates healthy communities.  CCNC is a program of Conservation Legacy, a national program that supports local corps programs. CCNC partners with public land managers in North Carolina to preserve and steward North Carolina’s treasured natural lands. Projects may include trail construction and maintenance, habitat improvement, hazardous fuels reduction, re-vegetation and local environmental service project. Crews may also complete technical and/or specialized projects depending on project partner needs, including disaster relief if the opportunity arises.

The CCNC BIPOC crew consists of 6 members, one assistant crew leader and one crew leader. The project work will be 14 weeks of trail work on the National Park Service (NPS) Tanawha Trail and two weeks of trail work on trails at Cape Lookout National Seashore. Trail work will be done with NPS seasonal employees. The crew works and camps for nine days at a time in all weather conditions. Crew will be off five days between the nine day “hitches.” Camping provided at Julian Price campground near the project site. Food is provided while crew is on hitch. Crew prepares all their own meals and works together as a group to complete all the necessary chores. We can accommodate most dietary restrictions. Evenings include group discussions on a variety of leadership and conservation topics.

The crew participates in two additional weeks of skills and professional development training, including college credit trail building courses at McDowell Community College.

EXPECTATIONS

CCNC can loan personal outdoor gear (tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, day pack, work pants, hiking/work books) as needed. Members are welcome to provide their own. A gear list is provide upon acceptance into the program. In addition to providing food while in the field, CCNC provides group camp equipment, tools, protective gear, and can work with members to find transportation to the project site. Crew members are asked to work hard, stay positive, and be flexible with changing schedules, weather conditions, and project needs.

This is a seasonal position that provides preferred hiring status with federal agencies upon completion of the 18-week service term.

Once selected to the program and prior to the start date, members are required to complete an online enrollment process that includes completing e-forms, uploading IDs, enrolling with AmeriCorps, and beginning their background check process. For those with limited access to online platforms, accommodations are available and can be discussed in the interview process.

BENEFITS:  · $330/week living stipend, paid bi-weekly   · AmeriCorps Segal Education Award upon successful completion of service term in the amount of $2,417 · Preferred federal hiring status · Members may be eligible for 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  · On-the-job training provided!   · Community college training at McDowell Technical Community College, subject specific certifications such as Wilderness First Aid and CPR, Leave No Trace, and USFS Chainsaw Certification, and professional development workshops · Assistance with outdoor gear needed to participate  · Depending upon the academic institution and program, Crew Member positions may fulfill internship requirements  · Professional development opportunities (mentorship, resume support, alumni listserv, etc)  · Exposure to natural resource career paths and opportunities 

GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Be between the ages of 18 and 27 (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. CCNC can work with individuals who have misdemeanors in their 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) 
• No previous experience is required, but a general comfort and previous knowledge of working/living in an outdoor setting is helpful.

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.

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 variety of 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.

ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS:

• · Learn and practice ‘Leave no Trace’ techniques

OUTDOOR SKILLS AND FITNESS:

• · 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.

TECHNOLOGY:

• · The use of technology, including cell phones, iPods, MP3 players, and other battery powered devices is prohibited during all work, chore, group and meal times as well as during de-rigs and rig-up.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• · Sense of humor, spirit of adventure, and desire to make a positive difference.
• · Willingness to work hard and endue long travel days.

Required Skills Required Experience

• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively both written and verbally.
• Ability to manage several projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.
• Ability to interact effectively with internal teams and clients.
• Demonstrate problem-solving skills.
• Exemplary organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Self-starter, able to work in a team as well as independently.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint. In-Design is not required, but preferred.