TITLE: LDP Crew Member – Spring 2020 

POSITION DATES: March 8 – early June (300 hour AmeriCorps Service Term) 

PAY RATE: $300/week + AmeriCorps education award upon successful completion 

LOCATION: Based out of Harrisonburg, VA 

STATUS: Full-Time/Seasonal/Temporary 

CONTACT: ACCrecruiting@conservationlegacy.org    

Multiple positions open until filled. 

THE APPALACHIAN CONSERVATION CORPS:  

The Appalachian Conservation Corps (ACC) is a non-profit, AmeriCorps-affiliated organization, whose mission is to connect young adults to meaningful conservation service. ACC engages motivated young adults to complete challenging and impactful conservation and service projects throughout the region by working with a variety of land management agencies such as the United States Forest Service, National Park Service, and The Nature Conservancy. Interns and Crews complete technical and/or specialized projects depending on project partner needs, including disaster relief if the opportunity arises.    

Our programs focus on place-based learning, life skills development, appreciation of diversity, civic responsibility and career development. ACC also provides an opportunity for members to learn about the local environment, environmental issues and introduces individuals to recreation and resource management careers.  When not in the field, members are expected to find their own housing.    

POSITION SUMMARY: 

The goal of the Leadership Development Program (LDP) is to provide participants with a variety of training focused on hard skills as well as leadership through peer leadership activities to prepare members for leadership roles within the conservation corps setting.  Upon completion of the Leadership Development Program, members are encouraged to apply for leadership positions. Placement in a leadership position is not guaranteed, and will be based upon qualifications, performance, work ethic, and ability.  

This is an exciting opportunity to work on an AmeriCorps conservation crew with the Appalachian Conservation Corps. This crew will partner with local public land managers to accomplish meaningful projects to support trail construction and ecological health. Typically, Crew Members will camp out in the field and complete project work for 8 or 9 days at a time followed by 5-6 days off. This schedule may vary depending upon project partner needs. Meals are provided while in the field. 

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

As an AmeriCorps program participant, work effectively as member of crew; perform heavy manual labor related to environmental conservation and restoration projects; work outdoors in all types of weather and successfully adapts to various climates; camps overnight outdoors in wilderness areas near work sites for short or extended periods of time; effectively learn and apply new environmental conservation and restoration skills and outdoor living skills; actively participate in environmental education activities; practice appropriate safety procedures in all tasks assigned; use, maintain and repair hand and power tools as necessary. 

GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS:  

To qualify, you must be between the ages of 18 and 27, and a US citizen that has received a high school diploma or GED. All offers of employment are conditional upon completion of an acceptable check of the National Sex Offender Public Registry and federal criminal background check. Must be eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Valid Driver's License 
• Previous conservation or Corps experience 
• Demonstrated initiative  
• Leadership experience in working with youth or young adults 
• Adaptability 
• Professionalism 
• Community-Building

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.  

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.

 ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS: 

• Learn and practice ‘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.

Required Skills Required Experience

• BS Engineering, industrial technology, or business management
• 2-4 years of management experience in distribution/chemical processing environment
• Ability to supervise/manage diverse group of associates and crew leaders
• Train/coordinate teams to achieve high levels of productivity, quality and safety performance
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Good computer skills
• Proven abilities to successfully drive continuous improvement, manage multiple priorities and multitask
• Ability to work well with other peer groups
• Knowledge of industrial safety regulations

Additional Consideration Given to Those With: 

• Exposure to quality programs
• Paint/Coatings/chemical industry knowledge or experience
• Experience with a continuous process discipline such as Six Sigma/Lean/TQM manufacturing environment
• Previous experience with safety programs