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Conservation Crew Leader

Employer
Appalachian Conservation Corps
Job Description, Responsibilities and Required Qualifications or Skills

Position Title: AmeriCorps Crew Leader – Saw/Trail Crew 

Location: Based out of Harrisonburg, VA

Compensation: $675 per week ($500 living stipend + $175 additional benefit) 

Terms of Service 

Start Date: August 25th, 2025

End Date: November 18th, 2025

AmeriCorps Education Award: $1,950 upon successful completion of service term 

 

Purpose 

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 envisioning a world with healthy lands, air, and water, thriving people, and resilient communities. ACC aims to engage future leaders who protect, restore, and enhance our public lands through community-based service. ACC welcomes national applicants but also emphasizes the engagement of local individuals who represent the communities in which they serve.   

 

Description of Duties 

 

The AmeriCorps Crew Leader (ACL) is a full partner in the crew’s leadership, helping to communicate directions, projects specifications and constructive criticism throughout the term. This position requires open dialog with the staff crew leader, helping them to manage projects, project partners communications, overall logistics, and crew assignments.     

 

It means more than just showing up and doing the work; it means setting an example of how to work hard with great enthusiasm through all kinds of conditions while practicing good judgement and safety. It means facilitating learning experience for crew members, both formally and informally. This position may require additional participation time outside of standard project and crew hours.  

 

Projects take place across the Appalachian Region, including partnerships with the US Forest Service, the National Park Service, and other land managers. During their time in the field, crews camp overnight and work outdoors in all types of weather conditions, performing heavy manual labor related to environmental conservation and restoration projects. These hands-on projects include visitor access improvements, trail construction and maintenance, habitat restoration, invasive species removal, re-vegetation, and much more. Most projects require hiking out to remote work sites for the day with tools, equipment, and day pack.  

 

General Qualifications

  • Be between the ages of 18 and 30 (exception for veterans up to age 35).
  • Be a United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident.
  • Have 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 to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.
  • Willingness to participate in community-building activities and solution-oriented problem solving with peer leaders.
  • Experience with backpacking, wilderness living and travel, LNT principles.   
  • Clean driving record (insurable by ACC) and current driver’s license.    

 

Preferred Qualifications

  • Understanding of and experience with the mission and field management considerations of conservation corps and public land agencies.
  • Technical trails, Crosscut or Chainsaw experience.
  • Background with experiential and/or environmental education.    
  • Facilitation and team-building experience with diverse groups of people.    
  • Strong conflict resolution skills.   
  • Current Wilderness First Aid Certification with CPR/AED. 
Job Field:
Forestry
Parks, Recreation and Tourism
Job Type:
Seasonal, Temporary, Internship
Location Detail:
Locations:
Harrisonburg, VA
New River Gorge National Park, WV
Catoctin Mountain Park, MD 
Salary:
$675-$975 / week DOE
Application Deadline:
Link to Full Job Posting:

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