Academic Advisor II, W.A. Franke College of Forestry & Conservation
TITLE: Beckley Youth Crew Member - Beckley, WV
REPORTS TO: Crew Leader
DATES: Session 1 - June 14 - July 9; Session 2 - July 12 - August 6
LOCATION: Based out of Beckley, WV
STATUS: Full-time, Exempt, Seasonal
BENEFIT ELIGIBLE: None per Personnel Policies
QUESTIONS? Contact ACCrecruiting@conservationlegacy.org
APPALACHIAN CONSERVATION CORPS:
Appalachian Conservation Corps (ACC) works to connect young people to critical conservation service work across Appalachia and neighboring communities in Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Maryland, DC, and Pennsylvania. As a corps program, ACC partners with public land managers to identify, plan, and complete projects that improve public access, habitat quality, and economic development. ACC is a program of Conservation Legacy, a nationwide network of conservation service organizations. Our programs focus on service, 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 and issues affecting it and introduces individuals to recreation and resource management careers. ACC welcomes national applicants, but also emphasizes the engagement of local individuals who represent the communities in which they serve.
POSITION SUMMARY:
This is an entry-level role which will be supported by two experienced and trained Crew Leaders, as well as Program Staff and Project Partners, and the Conservation Legacy Staff.
All crews will consist of six youth members, and two Crew Leaders. The crew will work with parks and project partners around Beckley, WV and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve on projects that may include trail construction & maintenance, habitat improvement, improvements to recreation access, re-vegetation, and much more. Additional educational and professional development opportunities may also be included. This program focuses on engaging diverse local youth, ages 16 – 18, in meaningful learning and service opportunities. 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.
Participants will be required to pack their own lunches. Necessary equipment includes sturdy footwear, work pants, and masks. Uniform shirts (2 per participant) and personal protective equipment including hard hats, gloves, eyewear, and ear protection will be provided by ACC. Some shared equipment is available to be borrowed for the season, such as backpacks, rain jackets, and extra water bottles and masks.
PROJECT WORK:
This crew will work on critical conservation and recreation access projects including trail maintenance and construction, habitat improvement, sign installation, habitat improvement, and developed recreation area maintenance. Necessary tasks in these projects may include digging, raking, brush trimming, moderate rock work, and minor construction (hammering, drilling, measuring). Our partners rely on this crew to accomplish projects for public benefit and ecological health.
SCHEDULE:
Two 4-week sessions will be offered, Youth Crew Members are encouraged to only participate in one session, but exceptions may be made based on position availability.
Participants will work 8-hour days, Monday-Friday, and return to their homes during the night. No camping overnight is required.
A typical day will begin with participants arriving at the ACC office in Beckley no later than 7:30am (ideally, participants should be dropped off by a friend/family member; participants may drive themselves to the office, but parking is limited.). The crew will then travel together to the day’s work site for an 8-hour workday. The crew will break for lunch and snacks. Participants will arrive back at the office to be picked up by 4:30pm.
Participants will have Saturdays and Sundays off.
Prior to their start date, selected Youth Crew Members must complete an online enrollment process which includes completing e-forms, and uploading IDs, as well as getting parental signatures on paper forms (for members under 18). For those with limited access to online platforms, accommodations may be available and can be discussed during the interview process. Participants who are 18 years of age or older will also be asked to complete a background check.
CREW LIFE:
Crew Leaders provide project expertise, mentorship, training, and support for the success of all participants. ACC supports a culture of feedback and growth. Crew Members will set goals at the beginning of the season and review their performance throughout their season through formal and informal check-ins, self-evaluations, and review with their Crew Leader. Evaluations will cover areas such as professionalism, responsibility and leadership, communication, engagement, productivity, safety, and equipment use. Crew Members will also be asked to evaluate their Crew Leaders’ performance, the overall program, and their experience at the end of their term.
EXPECTATIONS:
ACC is an independent, non-residential program. Youth Crew Members are responsible for their own housing, food, and transportation when not in the field. While members will be asked to supply as much of their personal equipment as possible, loaner gear will be available if needed, especially for more expensive items such as tents and sleeping bags. A gear list is provided upon acceptance into the program. Please ask immediately if there is loaner gear you require. ACC will provide tools, protective gear, and transportation between ACC Offices and project sites.
Youth 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; Youth Crew Members are expected to fully commit to the experience, expectations, and timeline.
BENEFITS:
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
To successfully perform essential functions, the Youth Crew Member is required to sit, stand, walk, speak and hear. The Youth Crew Member may be required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl on an infrequent basis. He/she must be able to hold hand tools such as shovels and rakes, and reach with hands and arms. The Youth Crew Member may be required to lift up to 50 pounds unassisted. Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
PARTICIPANT ESSENTIAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR CONSERVATION LEGACY PROGRAMS
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:
SAFETY AND JUDGMENT EXPECTATIONS:
ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS:
SUBSTANCE FREE:
In accordance with a drug free workplace, alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in program activities and while on organization property.
Required Skills Required Experience