Entry Level Corridor Group Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Position Title:Great Smoky Mountains TrailCrew-AmeriCorps Crew Member

Conservation Legacy Program:Southeast Conservation Corps

Reports to:Crew Leader, Program Coordinator

Site Location:Crew will be based out of Chattanooga, TN, camping and servingwithinthe Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Terms of Service:

• Start Date:08/17/2026

• End Date:10/09/2026

• AmeriCorps Slot Classification:300

Status:This is a full-time,seasonal,8-week300-hourAmeriCorps National Service position

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of$1,565.08upon successful completion of the program

• Living Allowance of$480per week.

• Additional Benefit of$120per week.

Other Benefits:Wilderness First Aid Training, food &transportationprovided while in the field, uniform shirts,personalprotective equipment, and other developmental opportunitieswhenavailable.

Crew Structure:1 Crew Leader, 1 Assistant Crew Leader, 4 Crew Members

Purpose - About Southeast Conservation Corps (SECC):
Empowering youth and adults to cultivate compassion, responsibility and life skills through community service, hardworkand land stewardship.

Southeast Conservation Corps, aprogram of Conservation Legacy, is a non-profit AmeriCorps program. We engage youth (age15-17) 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 provideimpactful educational and service opportunities thatbenefitboth communities and landscapes.SECC's participants reflect the population of the Southeast region, including youth, graduates, veterans, and individuals from various backgrounds.

SECC is an independent, non-residential program, andcrew membersare responsible forsecuring their own housing when not in the field.On-hitch, crews manage camp chores and prepare all their own meals, with evenings often including group discussions.Members must provide their own personal outdoor gear (e.g., tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, day pack, multi-day pack, work pants, hiking/work boots), while SECC provides group camp equipment, tools, protectivegearand transportation between SECC Office and project sites.

Description of Duties

The crew memberposition is an entry-level role.During their time in the field, crew members camp overnight and serve outdoors in all weather conditions, performing heavy manual labor to complete conservation and restoration projects. Most projects require hiking out to remote work sites for the day with tools, equipment, and a day pack.While prior experience withthe outdoorsor 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.

Service Project:

SECCand Great Smoky Mountains National Park have partnered to host a trail crew alongside the National Park Service Trail Crew. The primary focus of the project will be the restoration ofthe BullheadTrail, withadditionalprojects in various park locations.While the crew should expect to work on the lowerportionof BullheadTrail,this project ishighly physically demanding.In addition to hiking 3-5miles round trip per day there will be timesparticipantswillhike up to Mt. LeConte-an arduous level 5-mile trek each way with an elevation gain of approximately3,000feet-along with other tough hikes, all while carrying heavy loads of tools, equipment, and a day pack.

TheGRSMTrail Program Coordinator will lead the crew andoverseerestoration efforts.Members will camp overnight in thefield and complete service projectsoutdoors in all weather conditions,performing manual labor related to conservation and restoration. Potentialtasksinclude, but are not limited to:

• Trail construction and maintenance

• Corridor clearing

• Repair or installation ofwaterstructures along trails

• Campground maintenance

• Habitat restoration

• Community Service

Crew Life:

• Crew Structure:SECCcrewsconsistsof 4crew members and 2crew leaders who will provide projectexpertise, mentorship, training, and support to ensure the success of all participants.

• Hitch Schedule:GRSM fall crewwilloperateona Mondayto Friday,5dayon2dayoff hitch schedulewith 10-hour shifts and scheduled breaks throughout the day.Travel days from and toSECCoffice (Mon/Fri).Project days on Bullhead Trail will take place Tues-Thurs.Most projects involve strenuous manual labor in all weather conditions and require hiking to and from the project sites daily, carrying tools and day packs.

• Camping:Frontcountry

• Housing:While on hitch, applicants should be prepared to campthroughout the season, with lodging provided on a case-by-case basis if necessary.Housing is not providedfromFriday-Sunday evenings. Crew membersare responsible forsecuring their own housing arrangements while not in the field.

• Food:Food is provided while in the field. Dietary restrictions can be accommodated if communicated in advance.

• Chores:Crewmembers collaborate tomanage camp chores (planningmeals, shopping, cooking, washingdishes, etc.) andparticipatein any group discussions.

• Gear:Members must supply their own personal outdoor gear (day pack, water bottle, work pants, hiking/work boots,tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, backpack). SECC has a limited supply of loaner gear available for crew members to borrow, but it may not fit personal preferences or specific needs.SECC will provide tools, group camp equipment, and personal protective equipment

• Transportation:SECC will provide transportation between SECCofficeand project sites.

**SECC is a nonresidential program. Housing is not provided during off-hitch (Friday-Sunday) evenings. Crew membersare responsible forsecuring their own housing arrangements while not in the field.

Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications:

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien

• Must be betweenages18 and 30, or up to 35 ifa 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 prior to using the education award

• Agrees to provide information toestablisheligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Generalcomfort withand prior experience in outdoor environments.

Orientation and Training Schedule:

• Training Week:08/17/2026-08/21/2026(Monday-Fridayschedule,includesAmeriCorps training). Memberswill be expected to arrive atthe SECCofficeMonday morning and group camp for the week.

• First Hitch:Monday08/24/2026-Friday08/28/2026(crews willcontinue tooperateon aMonday-Fridayschedulefor the entirety of their term, and housing will not be provided fromFriday-Sunday nights)

Our Commitment:

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full consideration of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities areprovidedreasonable accommodations to perform essential job functions. Physical requirements may include periodic overnight travel, non-traditional work hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use program-specifictoolsand 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. The ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also berequiredfor some positions. If you needassistanceand/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.

Time Requirements:

• Typically, this position is expected toserveAugust toOctober, but exact service schedules may vary. A half hour lunch breakwill notbe counted towards AmeriCorps service

• Members maybe requiredtoparticipatein 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 onAmeriCorpsprohibited and unallowable activities.

Evaluation and Reporting:

As an AmeriCorps member, performancewill 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 and accomplishment tracking.

Participant Behavior Expectations:

Professionalism:

• Be punctual, hardworking, and flexible.Appropriately represent SECC and AmeriCorps to the public and project partners at all times.

Participation:

• Learn all necessary skills and apply them to complete all aspects of the program including conservation projects, education, training, and national service.

• Commit toparticipatingin all crew/team activities, including service days in local communities where applicable.

Positive Atmosphere:

• Contribute to a positive and safe culture, free from harassment.

• Demonstrate teamwork and respect for fellow members, partners, the public, and the land. This may require problem-solving on an interpersonal or group level and a willingness to accept differences.

Corps Values:

• Strive for an experience grounded in the corps values of challenge, stewardship, dedication, community, and integrity.

Safety and Judgment:

• Effectively communicate ideas, concerns, and danger as they arise directly to colleagues,supervisor, and program staff.

• Effectively perceive, understand, and follow directionsby others so that you will be able to successfully executeappropriate techniquesto manage hazards.

• Stay alert andfocusedfor several hours at a time while traveling and serving in varied weatherconditions.

• Perceive and comprehendsignificant and apparenthazards, including those hazards previously identifiedby others.

• Respond appropriately to stress or crises.

• If taking prescription medications, participants must be able tomaintainproper dosage by self-medicating withoutassistancefrom others.

Outdoor Skills:

• Learn and safely perform fundamental outdoor living, travel, and industry skills asappropriate tothe project. Additionally, remainadequately hydrated, fed, and properly dressedtoremaingenerally healthyand safe, avoiding environmental injuries.

• Live in a physically demanding,possibly remoteenvironment for an uninterrupted period of up to several weeks.Conditionsmay vary significantly and may include severe and/or trying weather. The remoteness is such that it may require at leastone hour, but perhapsin excess of12 hours, to reach the nearest advanced medical care.

• Practice 'Leave no Trace' principles to preserve public spaces

Substance Free:

• Alcohol and drugs are prohibited during AmeriCorps and program activities, and on organization property,in accordance witha drug free environment.

Application Instructions:

To Apply:Complete the applicationanduploadresume.

Any questions can be addressed to:

Kelsey Durr

Program Director

kdurr@conservationlegacy.org