Entry Level Conservation Technology Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Description
Position Title: AmeriCorps Individual Placement -Recreation Technician
Conservation Legacy Program: Southeast Conservation Corps
Site Location: Frances Marion & Sumter National Forest - Long Cane Ranger District
Address: 310 Bruncombe Street, Edgefield, SC 29824

• Term of Service: 45 Weeks
• Start Date: 09/14/2026
• End Date: 07/23/2027
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 1200 hr

Status: This is a full-time, seasonal, 45-week, 1200-hour AmeriCorps National Service Program.
Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $5,176.50 upon successful completion of the program
• Living allowance of $480 per week, paid bi-weekly
• Additional benefit of $320 per week, paid bi-weekly

Other Benefits: Uniform shirts, personal protective equipment, Public Land Corps Hiring Authority Certificate (upon successful completion of hours), member assistance program, and other professional development opportunities available.
Positions Available: 1
Purpose - About Southeast Conservation Corps (SECC):Empowering youth and adults to cultivate compassion, responsibility and life skills through community service, hard work and land stewardship.
Southeast Conservation Corps, a program of Conservation Legacy, is a non-profit AmeriCorps program. We engage youth (age 15-17) and young adults (ages 18-30, up to 35 for veterans) in service projects on public lands throughout the Southeast. SECC collaborates with land management agencies (United States Forest Service, National Park Service, State Parks, local municipalities, and non-profits) to host day or overnight camping crews and individual placements.
Our AmeriCorps positions provide impactful educational and service opportunities that benefit both communities and landscapes. SECC's participants reflect the population of the Southeast region, including youth, graduates, veterans, and individuals from various backgrounds.
United States Forest Service: The phrase, "Caring for the Land and Serving People," captures the Forest Service mission. As set forth in law, the mission is to achieve quality land management under the sustainable multiple-use management concept to meet the various needs of people.
Long Cane Ranger District: Recreation on the Long Cane Ranger District is guided by the motto "Caring for the Land and Serving People." The USFS is dedicated to sustaining the health and productivity of the nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. This mission emphasizes a balance between conservation and the multiple uses of public lands, including recreation, resource extraction, and habitat preservation. Here on the Long Cane Ranger District, we provide camping, target shooting, boat launches, hunting, fishing, and other activities for the people we serve. In addition to those activities, we also provide over 100 miles of hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and OHV trails.
Position Overview:
This Individual Placement is designed as an entry-level professional opportunity to serve directly with a federal land management agency, developing relevant skills, qualifications, and experience. The service focuses on trails, recreation facilities and NNIS treatment. Hurricane Helene, along with many other recent impacts, has created significant impacts on the Long Cane Ranger District of the Sumter National Forest. The individual placement will serve alongside Forest Service technicians and specialists in a variety of resource areas, including trail management, engineering, archaeology, outdoor recreational facilities, wildlife management, silviculture, forestry, and wildland fire. While the service will focus on trail maintenance, the exposure and training are designed to equip the individual with the necessary experience to compete for an entry-level position with a land management agency upon program completion. The individual placement will also use GIS technology and associated devices to collect data from across the district, helping trail specialists build a comprehensive assessment of current conditions. Service will involve hiking, inclement weather, and physical demands.
Description of Duties:
Trail Operations

• Serve with the Supervisor or shift lead to gain an understanding of basic trail maintenance.
• Clear trails of areas affected by post-Helene blowdown.
• Mitigate post-Helene run off damage on system trails.
• Keep consistent records of data gathered and stay organized.
• Serve with trail staff to mitigate immediate concerns or develop recommendations on remedies.
• Treat NNIS that established post Helene in remote areas along system trails.

Recreation Facility Operations

• Perform routine maintenance on recreation facilities, which involves trade skills such as plumbing, carpentry and minor electrical.
• Operate string trimmers and lawn mowers for grounds keeping.
• Clean and restock bathrooms and shower facilities.
• Assist the recreation lead in planning and organizing project service tasks.
• Identify required project materials, tools, and equipment needed for the day.
• Use a variety of hand tools and power tools to accomplish the assigned tasks.
• Assist team with clean-up and monitoring after the service is completed

Potential environmental/human risk involved with this term of service: uneven terrain, physical exertion, inclement weather, and remote service sites. Wet, slippery, and steep conditions around bridge locations. Hiking off-trail.
Qualifications:

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
• Must be between ages 18 and 30, or up to 35 if a military veteran.
• Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of elementary or secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant, and agrees to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent before using the education award
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check
• You must possess a valid driver's license and pass Conservation Legacy's Driver Insurability requirements.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Strong interest in road construction, serving outdoors, and natural resource management.
• Proven ability to complete assignments and meet deadlines with minimal supervision.
• Comfortable navigating by map throughout the forest, including areas with limited or no cell coverage.
• Field service is performed in all weather conditions, occasionally in mountainous terrain. Successful applicants will be able to independently complete assigned field, office, and lab tasks with minimal training.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with hand tools and power tools.
• Crosscut or chainsaw sawyer Certification. (B Certifications)
• Experience collecting data in the backcountry.
• Experience with navigation by map and terrain association.
• Experience with ESRI Field Maps, Survey123, and ArcGIS software.
• College degree or professional experience in environmental studies, natural resources, outdoor recreation, or a related field

Transportation:
A personal vehicle is required due to the limited public transportation and rural character of this location. USFS/SECC vehicles will be provided for transportation only for forest capacity. This Individual Placement must be a driver.
Physical Requirements:
Conservation Legacy is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential functions. Some positions may require periodic overnight travel, non-traditional hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.
Time Requirements:

• Typically, this position is expected to serve 7:30 am until 4 pm, Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week - but exact service schedules may vary and will include evening and weekend service depending on project needs.
• A half hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service.
• Members may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.

Orientation and Training:

• Members will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
• Defensive Driving, how to drive on gravel roads / USFS Roads
• GPS training using a tablet and programs such as ESRI Field Maps. Field training on the use of a clinometer and other tools.

Evaluation and Reporting:
As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of hours, the member has satisfactorily completed assignments, and if the member has met other performance criteria that were clearly communicated at the beginning of the term of service.
Reporting requirements include, but are not limited to:

• Bi-weekly timesheets
• Monthly Accomplishment Report
• Narrative Monthly Report.
• Bi-Monthly Check-Ins
• Midterm and Final Evals
• Exiting Task

Substance Free:
In accordance with a drug-free environment, alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in AmeriCorps and program activities and while on organization property.
If you have questions about the position, please contact:
Gray Buckles
Recreation Program Manager
Francis Marion & Sumter National Forest
samuel.buckles@usda.gov
If you have questions about the application process, please contact:
Angela Gerstner
Individual Placement Member Support Coordinator
Southeast Conservation Corps
agerstner@conservationlegacy.org
Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodations due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.