Chattanooga, Tennessee

Position Title: Staff Crew Leader – Advanced Felling and Rigging Crew

Organization: South East Conservation Corps

Location: Chattanooga, Tennessee

Organization Overview: Southeast Conservation Corps (SECC), a program of Conservation Legacy, is a non-profit, AmeriCorps-affiliated organization. SECC selects young adults, ages 18-30, to complete conservation work projects on public lands throughout the Southeast. SECC programs encourage environmental stewardship, foster community partnerships, and emphasize experiential learning. SECC serves a diverse population that is representative of the Southeast, including youth, graduates, veterans, and a cross-section of ethnicities and income levels. SECC is also an active member of the AmeriCorps Disaster Response Team (A-DRT), and as such, selected crews may be deployed on Disaster response projects for up to 30 days. SECC works with a variety of land management agencies in Tennessee and throughout the Southeast region, such as the United States Forest Service, National Park Service, State Parks, and conservation-based non-profits.

Position Overview: Crew Leaders are ultimately responsible for successes and shortcomings of the crew. Southeast Conservation Corps (SECC) and the Cherokee National Forest have partnered to host an Advanced Felling and Rigging Crew. The crew will be based out of SECCs Chattanooga, TN office and travel to the Cherokee National Forest to primarily work along the Citico Creek Watershed. Crews work in frontcountry and backcountry locations in all types of weather conditions. Schedules may vary, but generally are 9 days on and 5 days off for camping crews. Workdays are 10-hour shifts with scheduled breaks throughout the day. Depending on project work and location, other schedule variations may be implemented. While the staff at SECC works to provide consistency throughout the season, personal flexibility is expected and should be prepared for when entering the term as schedules, times, and work locations are subject to change per project needs.

The crew will use chainsaws to fell selected trees and then utilize griphoist rigging techniques to manually place the trees in pre-identified reaches of stream identified by Cherokee National Forest Fisheries Biologists and Hydrologists. The crew will work collaboratively to aid in the restoration of aquatic habitats for native aquatic species by installing large woody habitat structures in streams of the Cherokee National Forest.

On-hitch crews prepare all their own meals and work together as a group to complete all necessary chores. Community/camp chores will be completed every evening, with many evenings including group discussions, conservation and/or corps related topics. The Crew Leader must supply their own personal outdoor gear and equipment such as a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, day pack, multi-day pack, work pants, hiking/work boots, etc. SECC will provide group camp equipment, tools, protective gear and transportation between SECC Office and project sites. SECC is an independent, non-residential program. Crew Leaders are responsible for finding and attaining their own housing when not in the field.

Duties: 

• Frequently required to walk, hike, sit and talk or listen
• Required to use hands to operate objects, tools or controls, and to reach with hands and arms
• Regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds
• Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision and the ability to focus
• Required to drive an SECC vehicle
• Must be able to speak, understand, read and write English
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
• Ability to pass Conservation Legacy’s criminal history checks
• Must be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident and provide primary documentation to support
• Manage, supervise, and lead the day-to-day details of project work
• Implement skills training on work-site and facilitate intentional discussions via informal lessons to contribute to the crew’s personal growth and group dynamics
• Promote individual corps member development and a healthy, supportive community
• Mentor AmeriCorps Crew Leader while delegating project responsibilities, crew life oversight, and member development to them
• Exhibit strong situational awareness & promote a culture of safety
• Transport crew and equipment safely in SECC’s vans or large vehicles with trailers
• Complete professional documentation of time sheets, daily and weekly project reports, corps member and peer evaluations, disciplinary action forms, incident reports, etc., and submit in a timely manner
• Responsible for all project-related outcomes and deliverables
• Manage food budget and credit card purchases, including receipt reconciliation
• Must be willing to follow and enforce all SECC policies, maintain professional boundaries, and appropriately represent Southeast Conservation Corps. This includes creating a substance free work environment, refraining from the use of tobacco products, alcohol, and drugs while involved in the program

Minimum Qualifications: 

• To qualify for the Advanced Chainsaw Crew Leader Position, you must have a current B Faller / Fal2 Chainsaw Certification
• Willingness to commit fully to the program and its mission
• Physically fit and able to work long days in adverse conditions
• Leadership experience with youth or young adults
• Excellent organizational & communication skills
• Must be able to demonstrate strong project management skills
• Strong time-management skills and ability to work independently as well as with others
• Ability to effectively and efficiently manage all aspects of crew life and production within a hitch schedule
• Flexibility, adaptability and capacity to work in a fluid, changing work environment
• Willingness to learn and be a part of a dynamic community of peer leaders
• Must be adaptive, patient and able to maintain a positive perspective throughout
• Experience with backpacking, wilderness living and travel, and LNT principles
• Must be 21+, OR have a clean driving record for 3+years (insurable by SECC) and a current driver’s license
• Willingness to deploy on a Disaster Response

Preferred Qualifications:

• 1-2 years’ experience with SECC, other conservation corps or youth corps
• Rigging for trail work experience
• Background with experiential and/or environmental education
• Current and relevant certification in Wilderness Medicine (WFA, WAFA, WFR) with CPR/AED
• Facilitation and team-building experience with diverse groups of people
• Desire to work on a variety of conservation-based projects
• Technical trail construction and maintenance experience
• Strong conflict resolution skills
• Experience with Disaster Response
• Relevant Bachelor’s Degree
• Sense of humor, spirit of adventure, and desire to make a positive difference and promote leadership in others

Pay: $690-800/week, paid biweekly

Start/End Dates: January 5 2024 – April 26 2024

How to Apply: Please use the online application to view the full job description as well as how to apply. Contact Kelsey Durr, the Program Coordinator at kdurr@conservationlegacy.org with any additional questions.