ARD Helene Recovery Trail Assistant Crew Leader-AmeriCorps

Position Title:
Helene Recovery Trail Assistant Crew Leader-Ameri Corps

Conservation Legacy Program: Conservation Corps North Carolina

Site

Location:

Based out of Old Fort, North Carolina area with service projects in the Appalachian Ranger District of the Pisgah National Forest.

Terms of Service:

• Start Date: 01/25/2027
• End Date: 04/21/2027
• Ameri Corps Slot Classification: 300 Hours

Purpose:

Organizational

Summary:

Conservation Legacy is a nationwide non-profit. The Corps programs within the organization engage participants in diverse conservation and community projects that serve public and private lands. These projects provide opportunities for personal and professional development and strive toward a high priority of needs for public land managers and community partners. Through the mission of engaging future leaders who protect, restore and enhance our nation’s lands through community-based service;
Conservation Legacy works toward a world with healthy lands, air and water; thriving people and resilient communities.

Program

Summary:

Conservation Corps North Carolina empowers young adults through meaningful outdoor work that benefits North Carolina’s land and water and fosters healthy communities. A program of Conservation Legacy, CCNC partners with public land managers and community organizations across the state to engage motivated individuals—typically ages 15–30—in challenging and impactful conservation service projects. These projects may include trail construction and maintenance, habitat restoration, hazard fuel reduction, invasive species removal, and other technical conservation work.

CCNC crews and individual placements gain hands‑on experience, professional development, and the opportunity to positively impact North Carolina’s natural resources and communities.

Description of Duties:

Position Summary:

This position will directly support Hurricane Helene disaster recovery efforts in the Appalachian Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest . Projects will focus on minor saw work, reopening and repairing storm‑impacted trails, trail maintenance and new construction, including rock and timber structures. The crew leader and ACL for this crew will be responsible for operating a chainsaw to buck trees to use as resources for trail structures.

Crew members will not be chainsaw trained. Additionally, the crew should expect to work on rugged terrain in inclement weather. The work will be arduous and fast‑paced in areas of high exposure.

Assistant Crew Leaders (ACLs) are primarily responsible for facilitating a positive Crew Member experience. The ACL is a full partner in the crew’s leadership; helping the crew leader to communicate directions, project specifications and constructive criticism throughout the term. This position requires open dialog with the Staff Crew Leader; assisting them with project management, project partners communications, overall logistics, and crew assignments.

ACLs set the example of how to work hard with enthusiasm through all kinds of conditions, meanwhile practicing good judgement and safety. ACLs are co‑responsible for facilitating a learning experience for Crew Members, both formally and informally. This position may require additional participation time outside of standard project and crew hours. ACLs are asked to be flexible with changing schedules, weather conditions, and project needs.

Since this is a seasonal position, ACLs are asked to fully commit to the experience, expectations, and timeline.

Crew members should expect physically demanding work on rugged, uneven terrain in inclement weather. Projects may involve steep slopes, remote locations, high exposure, and fast‑paced workdays. Required certifications (such as chainsaw operation and Wilderness First…