Natural Resources Job Board

1.    Upload cover letter, resume, contact information for three references, and transcripts at www.cwswcd.org/employment

2.    Click on the link and fill out the Crow Wing SWCD Employment Application to comply with Veterans Preference Points: www.cwswcd.org/employment

COMPANY OVERVIEW
 

The Crow Wing Soil and Water Conservation District's (SWCD) mission is to promote healthy lands and clean water through voluntary conservation efforts. As a local government entity, our vision is to cultivate a vibrant community with clean water and productive lands in the Brainerd Lakes Area. 

Join a team that is passionate about making a difference and helping people make conservation improvements on their land. We offer excellent benefits, including 13 paid holidays, health and dental insurance, various retirement plan options, flexible work schedules, remote work, an employee assistance program for work-life support, a supportive team culture, and numerous leadership development, training, networking opportunities, and career advancement opportunities through a tiered pay scale. Starting salary may vary depending on experience, knowledge, and skills. 

JOB SUMMARY
 

The position will coordinate private forest management programs with the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR), and the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR). To achieve this, the forestry coordinator will collaborate with individual private landowners, groups of landowners, nonprofits, and associations to offer recommendations on managing their woods, addressing terrestrial invasive species, enhancing wildlife habitat, integrating agroforestry and soil health principles, and improving land for water quality and soil benefits.
  

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position is approximately 40 percent out of the office, walking and talking to landowners about their property, and 60 percent administrative work (partners' communication, reporting, and meetings).

Coordinate the SWCD private woodland management program.

Administer SWCD’s annual bare-root seedling tree sale program.

Develop and maintain community partnerships with private consultant woodland stewardship plan writers, state agencies, nonprofits, and local government units.
Conduct outreach activities including workshops, mailings, presentations, field demonstrations, and tours to increase landowner participation and knowledge of woodlands. 
Establish and coordinate forestry programs and grants.

Complete grant reporting, annual reporting, and other administrative tasks.

 Required Qualifications
Four college-level courses are required for this position (see course list below). Upload transcripts to the www.cwswcd.org/employment 

Required Qualifications Continued: 

Preferred Qualifications: 

The Crow Wing Soil and Water Conservation (SWCD) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All SWCD's programs and services are available without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, gender, religion, disability, age, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, familial status, gender identity, sexual orientation, and other protected classes. 

Pennsylvania Elk Research | Capture, Collar & Monitoring 
The Pennsylvania Game Commission is seeking two full-time wildlife biologist aides (749hr limited term) to support an elk survival study.  Primary duties will be assisting in the capture, processing, and radio collaring of ~40 elk.  Capture methods include free darting and clover trapping (elk are darted through the netting).  Interested applicants should be comfortable starting workdays very early & spending many hours driving (State vehicle provided) between trapping locations to bait and release non target animals.  An approximate breakdown of the expected duties is below…

Job Duties

·         60%     Elk captures & collaring. 

·         15%     Monitoring radio-collared elk for survival, typically via telemetry. 

·         15%     Routine data entry and administrative record keeping.

·         10%     Additional duties as assigned. 

 

·         A bachelor’s degree in ecology, wildlife, or a related natural resources field.  

·         Demonstrated experience with radio telemetry. 

·         Demonstrated experience accurately recording data. 

·         Ability to communicate and interact with the public in a positive manner.  

·         Experience operating a 4-wheel drive vehicle off-road and using GPS/maps to navigate in unfamiliar areas.  

·         Trail camera use and image review experience preferred.  

·         Experience using rifles/dart rifles and with wildlife immobilization preferred. 

·         Applicants should be accustomed to and comfortable starting their workdays at or often before dawn.

·         Applicants should be comfortable working independently in remote areas.  

 

Most of the terrain in the elk management area is rugged, heavily forested, and remote with cold winters.  Snowpack can limit vehicular travel and some long-distance hiking may be required.  Cell reception is very limited in the elk management area.  

 

·         Hourly $17.38

·         Overtime (>40hrs/week) is paid at time-and-one-half ($26.07), but pre-approval is required. 

·         A work vehicle is provided (for official work purposes only).  

·         Position is limited to a total of 749 hours from the start date.  
·         Housing is not provided. But we have existing relationships with property owners for short term rental options.  

 

Please email a cover letter stating your interest in this position, a resume, copy of transcripts (unofficial is fine), and contact information for 3 references to Jeremy Banfield, Elk Biologist, at jebanfield@pa.gov.  A single pdf containing your cover letter, resume, and references is highly encouraged (a separate file for transcripts is fine).  Please include your first and last name in all file names. Example:  Jane_Doe_Application.pdf. Only complete applications will receive further consideration. 

 

Applications must be received by Sunday, Oct 05, 2025 (11:59PM). 

This one-year position, open only to US citizens, will involve organizing and participating in biweekly field expeditions for Ekipa Fanihy (ekipafanihy.org) with one additional tech (also from the US) and a team of Malagasy PhD students from the University of Antananarivo. This position will take over from one of our outgoing techs and overlap a current tech who will remain through August 2026 and be replaced in September 2026.

Ekipa Fanihy carries out capture and sampling of Madagascar's fruit bats (Pteropus rufus, Eidolon dupreanum, and Rousettus madagascariensis) at roost sites in the District of Moramanga, Madagascar, with possible extensions to field sites elsewhere. This work supports a long-term field study aimed at deciphering the mechanisms underpinning persistence of potentially zoonotic RNA viruses in wild, Madagascar fruit bats. Bats are reservoirs for several important, highly-virulent zoonoses, including rabies, Hendra and Nipah henipaviruses, Ebola and Marburg filoviruses, and SARS, MERS, and SARS-CoV-2 coronaviruses. This work also contributes data to population viability analyses and assessments of the conservation status of threatened fruit bats in Madagascar. Please see the Brook lab research page (brooklab.org/research) for further details about the major themes of the project.

Field technicians will be trained in the field in January 2026 by the Brook lab manager, Martin Roland, and and one current technician on the job, then supervised remotely (from UC Berkeley) for the duration of the year, interspersed with regular visits from Dr. Brook and other members of the Brook lab.

Techs will spend approximately 70% of their time in the field. During each field mission, techs will travel with University of Antananarivo PhD students for up to 1-2 days to remote field sites in vehicles with hired drivers. While in the field, the team will reside in tents provided by the project for up to two weeks at a time. The work will necessitate strenuous hiking and hauling heavy equipment, sometimes in adverse weather conditions. During field missions, a local cook will be hired to prepare meals, and all expenses (including food) will be funded by the project. 

While in the field, the field team will capture bats, collect biological samples (blood, urine, feces, saliva, ectoparasites, wing punches), and undertake basic sample preparation (i.e. centrifugation) and storage in liquid nitrogen. The work will be unevenly paced with periods of intense work interspersed with significant downtime; techs will need to be prepared to entertain themselves during this downtime with reading, writing, personal research projects, studying Malagasy, etc. Many field missions will overlap traditional weekends, and techs will be expected to work during these periods.

In between field missions (30% of the time), techs will live in a shared house in Madagascar's capital city of Antananarivo (housing includes a modern kitchen, ample living space, modern bathroom, WiFi, on-site security, and monthly cleaning services). Each tech will be provided a private bedroom. In Antananarivo ('Tana'), the techs will work with Ekipa Fanihy to further treat, organize, and conduct basic molecular analyses (DNA/RNA extractions, PCR, etc.) of samples at our laboratory at  Madagascar Biodiversity Center (www.madagascarbio.org). Together, the two field techs will be additionally responsible for restocking, packing, and preparation of field supplies for recurring field missions. When weekends overlap with periods of time in the city, techs will have free time to travel locally, take Malagasy lessons, and reset as needed.

When not in the field, techs will additionally have opportunities to take part in professional development in the form of remote lab meetings with the Brook Lab at UC Berkeley, as well as receive guidance on the graduate school application process if desired. Field technicians will be acknowledged on publications arising from this work and may or may not be included as co-authors depending on the duration of their employment and the extent of their intellectual contributions to data analysis and interpretation after the field work concludes. Opportunities for independent work--either in science communication or in research--may be pursued on a case-by-case basis.

Please visit our Brook lab news (brooklab.org/news) page to read prior field technician Katherine McFerrin's blog post, summarizing "A Day in the Life of a Field Project Manager" to read what life is like for our team in the field: brooklab.org/news/day-in-the-life. Feel free to reach out to contact former and current Ekipa Fanihy field technicians, Monique Ades (mnades06@gmail.com) or Martin Roland (martincroland@gmail.com), with any questions about the job.

 

Along with other partners, the University of Florida has assisted with a long-term mark–recapture study of the endangered snail kite since the late 1990s. We are seeking two positions (a crew lead and a technician) to assist with weekly nest monitoring of snail kites in the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes and the Kissimmee River Floodplain.  This is an exciting new project to assess how current water management operational plans for lake stage and releases at structures and resulting changes in hydrology affects snail kite reproductive success, survival, demography, and population on Lakes Kissimmee, Cypress, Hatchineha, Kissimmee River and the Kissimmee River Floodplain. This research will also provide specific management recommendations for determining when and where to focus habitat management activities to increase population size through reduced mortality of young. 

 

Fieldwork involves extensive airboat operation to find and monitor nests. Applicants must be willing to work long, flexible hours while maintaining a positive attitude in a hot, humid environment; some days run from sunrise to sunset. All necessary training will be provided, including airboat operation and maintenance. Duties include behavioral observations; nest searching; handling and banding snail kite nestlings; game camera deployment and photo analysis; GPS tagging of juvenile snail kites; data entry; and maintenance of field equipment and boats. In addition, the lead technician will be responsible for leading fieldwork, scheduling, coordinating with the statewide snail kite monitoring crew, and data QA/QC. Applicants must be able to get in and out of boats in deep water, walk up to 0.3 miles through water, and lift 50 lbs. 

 

Salary & Housing: $20/hour for the crew lead and $17/hour for the technician, plus housing. Housing will be provided in the Kissimmee area, such as St. Cloud or Kenansville, FL. Applicants should be comfortable living in a field house with a few coworkers. A five-month commitment is required; the ideal technician may have the opportunity to extend. 

·       Bachelor's degree in Ecology, Biology, Environmental Science, Wildlife, or a related field 

·       Valid U.S. driver’s license 

·       Applicants must have the physical ability to work long hours outdoors, wade through water, and carry field equipment in water 

·       Ability to work long hours (8-12 hours per day with limited supervision) 

·       Must be able to travel overnight for work-related duties 

·       Ability to resight color bands via spotting scope 
·       For the crew lead: demonstrated ability to safely handle and band wild raptors 

Preferred Qualifications:

·       For the crew lead: previous experience leading a field crew
·       Experience with trailering and launching boats is strongly desired
·       Basic mechanical repair skills and engine troubleshooting knowledge
·       Game camera deployment and photo analysis


Dates: February 2, 2026 – July 6, 2026.

How to Apply: Please email a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three references to Lara Elmquist (snailkite@ifas.ufl.edu). Subject line: “Kissimmee Crew Lead/Technician Application.” Indicate which position you are applying for. Applications are reviewed upon submission; early application is encouraged. Please reach out with any questions.
 

Please Note: Applications will be accepted through 4:59 PM MDT on the posting end date. 

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is seeking a Regional Wildlife Biologist - Habitat/Private Lands for our Magic Valley Regional Office in Jerome.   

As a regional Wildlife Biologist for the Magic Valley Region, you will be part of a dedicated wildlife team charged with implementation of regional (local) and statewide management priorities for a variety of wildlife species and their habitats. Projects will involve work on big game, upland game, migratory birds, waterfowl, forest carnivores, furbearers, and species of greatest conservation need.

Minimum Qualifications: (All qualifications listed below are required. To be considered for this position, applicants must meet the minimum experience and/or education standards as outlined in each of the typical qualification guidelines. A detailed resume or work history must be submitted, clearly demonstrating/supporting how you meet each requirement. This information is essential to our initial evaluation process. Incomplete applications or those lacking relevant details may not be considered for further review.)

How to Apply:

Please apply online at the URL listed below.

URL:

The Lopez Lab for Aquatic Conservation and Ecosystem Science (https://sites.google.com/view/aceslab) is recruiting two graduate assistants to start in 2026. 

One assistantship will begin in Spring/Summer 2026 and will include a summer research assistantship. The other will begin in Fall 2026. One student will be at the M.S. level, and the other will be at either the M.S. or Ph.D. level, depending on the applicant’s goals and qualifications. Applicants at the Ph.D. level should have either an M.S., or post-baccalaureate research experience. Future research assistantship funding may be available depending on funds.

Contact Dr. Jonathan Lopez with questions at jwlopez@olemiss.edu. Please use the body of your email to indicate what your research interests are, and why you think they are a good fit for our lab. Please attach PDFs of (1) your CV and (2) your unofficial transcripts. 

The deadline to apply for Spring 2026 is October 15th, 2025. The deadline for Fall 2026 is January 15th, 2026.

Projects:
Our lab primarily focuses on studying animal-driven impacts on ecosystem function. Projects will include freshwater biodiversity surveys, ecophysiological experiments, and/or analyses of nutrient cycling and stream metabolism. Specific project aims will be determined through discussion with successful applicants.

MS students = $23,000 per year

PhD students = $25,000 before advancing to candidacy/$26,000 after candidacy

Full tuition waiver

Subsidized health insurance

Additional information:
Department of Biology Graduate Programs: https://olemiss.edu/biology/graduateprograms/
Graduate School Application Deadlines: https://gradschool.olemiss.edu/academics-and-admissions/prospective-students/deadlines-npc/

Title: Stream Restoration Felling & Rigging Crew- 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 serving within the Cherokee National Forest   

Terms of Service:  

Status: This is a full-time, seasonal, 15-week- 450-hour AmeriCorps National Service position  

Benefits: 

Other Benefits: United States Forest Service-recognized chainsaw certification, First Aid/CPR, Rigging training, Public Land Corps Hiring Authority Certificate (upon successful completion of hours), food & transportation provided while in the field overnight, uniform shirts, personal protective equipment, and other developmental opportunities as available  

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, hard work and land stewardship.    

 

SECC, 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. 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 ethnic and economic backgrounds. 

SECC collaborates with land management agencies such as the United States Forest Service, National Park Service, State Parks, local municipalities, and non-profits to host day and camping crews. Our projects vary but include trail construction and maintenance, restoration of natural areas, invasive species removal, fire fuels reduction, fencing, herbicide applications, and more. Most projects involve strenuous manual labor and require hiking to and from the project sites daily, carrying tools and day packs.   

    

SECC camping crews serve and camp overnight in front country and backcountry locations, often in challenging weather conditions. While hitch schedules vary by project and location, they typically follow a 9-day on, 5-day off pattern, with 10-hour shifts and scheduled breaks throughout the day. While we aim to maintain consistency, flexibility is expected as schedules, times, and project locations are subject to change based on project needs.   

    

SECC is an independent, non-residential program, and crew members are responsible for securing 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, protective gear and transportation between SECC Office and project sites. 

 

Description of Duties  

 

Service Project:  

SECC and the Cherokee National Forest have partnered to host a Stream Restoration Felling & Rigging Crew. The crew will be based out of SECC’s office in Chattanooga, TN and travel to complete conservation service projects along the Citico Creek Watershed and other streams in the Cherokee National Forest. The crew will be managed by the Cherokee National Forest and will support their fisheries biologists and hydrologists.  

 

Crew members will collaborate as a team to assist in activities that support native fish and other important aquatic resources on the Cherokee National Forest, TN. The primary focus of the season will be habitat improvement through strategic wood placement on select streams utilizing grip hoist rigging techniques and chainsaws to selectively place trees into stream channels.  

 

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 through difficult terrain while carrying gear (up to 50lbs) to remote work sites for the day. We ask that crew members embrace learning opportunities, face challenges, and build community with their crew.  

 

Project Duties:  

 

Note: While the staff at SECC and partners strive to provide consistency throughout the season, personal flexibility is expected and should be prepared for when entering the term as schedules, times, and project locations are subject to change per project needs. 

 

Opportunities to Extend Your Service 

SECC’s winter crew members have the opportunity to focus on developing their technical and interpersonal skills throughout their season to prepare for taking on potential member or leadership roles with SECC during the remainder of the year. Please be prepared to discuss your interest in continuing your service through summer/fall. 

 

Note: placement in member or leadership positions are not guaranteed and will be based on qualifications, performance, work ethic, and ability. We highly encourage those who participate to stay on throughout the summer.   

 

 

Crew Life:    

SECC crews consist of 4-6 crew members and 2 crew leaders who provide project expertise, mentorship, training, and support to ensure the success of all participants. Food is provided while in the field, and crew members collaborate to plan meals and share chores, such as cooking and washing dishes. Most dietary restrictions can be accommodated if communicated in advance. Crew members must be prepared to camp, travel, complete service projects, and share meals as a team. No drug or alcohol consumption is allowed during service-related activities or travel at any time.   

 

Crew members will need to supply their own personal equipment such as a day pack, work pants, hiking/work boots, etc. SECC will provide tools, protective gear and transportation between SECC office and project sites. SECC has a limited supply of loaner gear available for crew members to borrow. While this gear can be helpful, we strongly recommend that members bring as much of their own gear as possible, as the loaner equipment may not fully meet personal preferences or specific needs. 

 

SECC supports a culture of feedback and growth. Crew Members will set goals at the beginning of the season and review their performance through both self-evaluation and a review with their Crew Leader in the middle and at the end of their season. Evaluations will cover areas such as professionalism, responsibility and leadership, communication, engagement, productivity, safety, and equipment use. Crew Members will also be asked to evaluate their Crew Leaders’ performance, the overall program, and their experience at the end of their term.  

 

    

Hitch Schedule:     

This position will operate on a variable “hitch” schedule, but generally it will follow 9 days on and 5 days off for camping crews. Project days follow a 10-hour shift with scheduled time for breaks. While the staff at SECC strive to provide consistency throughout the season, personal flexibility is expected and should be prepared for when entering the term as schedules, times, and project locations are subject to change per project needs.  Applicants should be prepared to camp during hitches for the duration of the season, with lodging provided on a case-by-case basis if necessary.    

 

 

Requirements:     

 

Minimum Qualifications:       

  

 

Preferred Qualifications:    

 

 

 

 

 

Our Commitment: 

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: 

 

 Orientation and Training: 

 

**SECC is a nonresidential program. Housing is not provided during off-hitch (Wednesday-Monday) evenings. Crew members are responsible for securing their own housing arrangements while not in the field. 

 

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 and accomplishment tracking. 

 

 

Participant Behavior Expectations:    

 

Expectations for SECC Corpsmembers:    

     

Participation and Expedition Behavior    

    
Safety and Judgment    

 

Environmental Ethics:   

  

Outdoor Skills: 

  

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.   

 

 

Application Instructions:    

 

 

    

To Apply: Complete the application, upload cover letter and resume.   

    

Any questions can be addressed to:   

Angela Gerstner 

Recruitment Coordinator 

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.     

 

 

 

Title: Winter Trail Crew --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 serving in various locations across the greater Southeast Region. 

Terms of Service: 

Status: This is a full-time, seasonal, 15-week- 450-hour AmeriCorps National Service position  

Benefits:  

Other Benefits: United States Forest Service-recognized chainsaw certification, First Aid/CPR, Public Land Corps Hiring Authority Certificate (upon successful completion of hours), food & transportation provided while in the field overnight, uniform shirts, personal protective equipment, and other developmental opportunities as available  

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, hard work and land stewardship.    

 

SECC, 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. 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 ethnic and economic backgrounds. 

 

SECC collaborates with land management agencies such as the United States Forest Service, National Park Service, State Parks, local municipalities, and non-profits to host day and camping crews. Our projects vary but include trail construction and maintenance, restoration of natural areas, invasive species removal, fire fuels reduction, fencing, herbicide applications, and more. Most projects involve strenuous manual labor and require hiking to and from the project sites daily, carrying tools and day packs.   

    

SECC camping crews serve in frontcountry and backcountry locations, often in challenging weather conditions. While hitch schedules vary by project and location, they typically follow a 9-day on, 5-day off pattern, with 10-hour shifts and scheduled breaks throughout the day. While we aim to maintain consistency, flexibility is expected as schedules, times, and project locations are subject to change based on project needs.   

    

SECC is an independent, non-residential program, and crew members are responsible for securing 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, protective gear and transportation between SECC Office and project sites. 

 

   

Description of Duties 

The crew member position 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 with the outdoors or 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:   

 

 

 

 

The crew will be based out of SECC’s office in Chattanooga, TN and travel to complete various conservation projects across the Southeast Region, partnering with land managers such as the US Forest Service, the National Park Service, Tennessee State Parks, and other land partners. The crew will be managed by land managers who will collaborate with crews to complete conservation projects.  

 

Service projects vary depending on seasonal factors and safety considerations. While the staff at SECC and partners strive to provide consistency throughout the season, personal flexibility is expected and should be prepared for when entering the term as schedules, times, and project locations are subject to change per project needs. However, tasks may also include, but are not limited to:   

 

Opportunities to Extend Your Service 

SECC’s winter crew members have the opportunity to focus on developing their technical and interpersonal skills throughout their season to prepare for taking on potential member or leadership roles with SECC during the remainder of the year. Please be prepared to discuss your interest in continuing your service through summer/fall. 

 

Note: placement in member or leadership positions are not guaranteed and will be based on qualifications, performance, work ethic, and ability. We highly encourage those who participate to stay on throughout the summer.   

 

 

Crew Life:   

SECC crews consist of 4-6 crew members and 2 crew leaders who provide project expertise, mentorship, training, and support to ensure the success of all participants. Food is provided while in the field, and crew members collaborate to plan meals and share chores, such as cooking and washing dishes. Most dietary restrictions can be accommodated if communicated in advance. Crew members must be prepared to camp, travel, complete service projects, and share meals as a team. No drug or alcohol consumption is allowed during service-related activities or travel at any time.   

 

Crew members will need to supply their own personal equipment such as a day pack, work pants, hiking/work boots, etc. SECC will provide tools, protective gear and transportation between SECC office and project sites. SECC has a limited supply of loaner gear available for crew members to borrow. While this gear can be helpful, we strongly recommend that members bring as much of their own gear as possible, as the loaner equipment may not fully meet personal preferences or specific needs. 

 

SECC supports a culture of feedback and growth. Crew Members will set goals at the beginning of the season and review their performance through both self-evaluation and a review with their Crew Leader in the middle and at the end of their season. Evaluations will cover areas such as professionalism, responsibility and leadership, communication, engagement, productivity, safety, and equipment use. Crew Members will also be asked to evaluate their Crew Leaders’ performance, the overall program, and their experience at the end of their term.  

 

    

Hitch Schedule:     

This position will operate on a variable “hitch” schedule, but generally it will follow 9 days on and 5 days off for camping crews. Project days follow a 10-hour shift with scheduled time for breaks. While the staff at SECC strive to provide consistency throughout the season, personal flexibility is expected and should be prepared for when entering the term as schedules, times, and project locations are subject to change per project needs.  Applicants should be prepared to camp during hitches for the duration of the season, with lodging provided on a case-by-case basis if necessary.    

 

 

Requirements:     

 

Minimum Qualifications:       

 

 

Preferred Qualifications:    

 

Our Commitment: 

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: 

 

 Orientation and Training: 

 

 

**SECC is a nonresidential program. Housing is not provided during off-hitch (Wednesday-Monday) evenings. Crew members are responsible for securing their own housing arrangements while not in the field. 

 

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 and accomplishment tracking. 

 

 

Participant Behavior Expectations:    

 

Expectations for SECC Corpsmembers:    

     

Participation and Expedition Behavior    

    
Safety and Judgment    

 

Environmental Ethics:   

  

Outdoor Skills:  

  

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.   

 

 

Application Instructions:    

 

 

    

To Apply: Complete the Application, upload cover letter and resume.   

    

Any questions can be addressed to:   

Angela Gerstner 

Recruitment Coordinator 

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.     

 

 

 

Title: Land Between the Lakes NRA Fuels Reduction and Recreation Crew- 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 serving within Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area 

Terms of Service: 

Status: This is a full-time, seasonal, 15-week- 450-hour AmeriCorps National Service position  

Benefits: 

Other Benefits: United States Forest Service-recognized chainsaw certification, certifications related to wildland fire, First Aid/CPR, Public Land Corps Hiring Authority Certificate (upon successful completion of hours), food & transportation provided while in the field overnight, uniform shirts, personal protective equipment, and other developmental opportunities as available  

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, hard work and land stewardship.    

 

SECC, 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. 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 ethnic and economic backgrounds. 

 

SECC collaborates with land management agencies such as the United States Forest Service, National Park Service, State Parks, local municipalities, and non-profits to host day and camping crews. Our projects vary but include trail construction and maintenance, restoration of natural areas, invasive species removal, fire fuels reduction, fencing, herbicide applications, and more. Most projects involve strenuous manual labor and require hiking to and from the project sites daily, carrying tools and day packs.   

    

SECC camping crews serve in frontcountry and backcountry locations, often in challenging weather conditions. While hitch schedules vary by project and location, they typically follow a 9-day on, 5-day off pattern, with 10-hour shifts and scheduled breaks throughout the day. While we aim to maintain consistency, flexibility is expected as schedules, times, and project locations are subject to change based on project needs.   

    

SECC is an independent, non-residential program, and crew members are responsible for securing 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, protective gear and transportation between SECC Office and project sites. 

    

  

Description of Duties 

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. We ask that crew members embrace learning opportunities, face challenges, and build community with their crew.  

 

 

Service Project:   

SECC and Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area (LBL) have partnered to host a Prescribed Fire and Recreation Crew. The crew will be based out of SECCs Chattanooga, TN office and travel to Kentucky to complete conservation projects around LBL, with a primary focus on trail recreation projects and fire management operations. The crew will be managed by LBL Forest Service staff to complete their conservation projects.  

 

Service projects will vary depending on seasonal factors and safety considerations. Weather can especially have a significant impact on fire operations. When it comes to prescribed fire operations, the project is dependent on the weather. While the staff at SECC and partners strive to provide consistency throughout the season, personal flexibility is expected and should be prepared for when entering the term as schedules, times, and project locations are subject to change per project needs.  

 

Most projects require hiking out to project sites for the day with tools, equipment, and a day pack.  

The projects will vary based on priorities and environmental factors but will focus on: 

 

*Note: the above projects are in support of fire mitigation, fuels reduction, or developed recreation; this crew will not participate in wildland fire. The ability to complete prescribed fire operations does depend on the weather. For this reason, we cannot guarantee the number of prescribed burns the crew will partake in.*   

 

Members will earn the following training and certifications: 

*Members may not exceed 20% of their total term hours as trainings 

 

(Crews will spend the first three weeks of their season completing onboarding, receiving their First Aid/CPR, chainsaw related certifications in Chattanooga, and all fire related training at Land Between the Lakes NRA) 

 

Opportunities to Extend Your Service 

SECC’s winter crew members have the opportunity to focus on developing their technical and interpersonal skills throughout their season to prepare for taking on potential member or leadership roles with SECC during the remainder of the year. Please be prepared to discuss your interest in continuing your service through summer/fall. 

 

Note: placement in member or leadership positions are not guaranteed and will be based on qualifications, performance, work ethic, and ability. We highly encourage those who participate to stay on throughout the summer.   

 

 

Crew Life:    

SECC crews consist of 4-6 crew members and 2 crew leaders who provide project expertise, mentorship, training, and support to ensure the success of all participants. Food is provided while in the field, and crew members collaborate to plan meals and share chores, such as cooking and washing dishes. Most dietary restrictions can be accommodated if communicated in advance. Crew members must be prepared to camp, travel, complete service projects, and share meals as a team. No drug or alcohol consumption is allowed during service-related activities or travel at any time.   

 

Crew members will need to supply their own personal equipment such as a day pack, work pants, hiking/work boots, etc. SECC will provide tools, protective gear and transportation between SECC office and project sites. SECC has a limited supply of loaner gear available for crew members to borrow. While this gear can be helpful, we strongly recommend that members bring as much of their own gear as possible, as the loaner equipment may not fully meet personal preferences or specific needs. 

 

SECC supports a culture of feedback and growth. Crew Members will set goals at the beginning of the season and review their performance through both self-evaluation and a review with their Crew Leader in the middle and at the end of their season. Evaluations will cover areas such as professionalism, responsibility and leadership, communication, engagement, productivity, safety, and equipment use. Crew Members will also be asked to evaluate their Crew Leaders’ performance, the overall program, and their experience at the end of their term.  

 

    

Hitch Schedule:     

This position will operate on a variable “hitch” schedule, but generally it will follow 9 days on and 5 days off for camping crews. Project days follow a 10-hour shift with scheduled time for breaks. While the staff at SECC strive to provide consistency throughout the season, personal flexibility is expected and should be prepared for when entering the term as schedules, times, and project locations are subject to change per project needs.  Applicants should be prepared to camp during hitches for the duration of the season, with lodging provided on a case-by-case basis if necessary.    

 

 

Requirements:     

 

Minimum Qualifications:       

 

 

Preferred Qualifications:    

 

 

Our Commitment: 

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: 

 

 Orientation and Training: 

 

 

**SECC is a nonresidential program. Housing is not provided during off-hitch (Wednesday-Monday) evenings. Crew members are responsible for securing their own housing arrangements while not in the field. 

 

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 and accomplishment tracking. 

 

 

Participant Behavior Expectations:    

 

Expectations for SECC Corpsmembers:    

     

Participation and Expedition Behavior: 

    
Safety and Judgment : 

 

Environmental Ethics:   

  

Outdoor Skills:    

  

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.   

 

 

Application Instructions:    

 

 

    

To Apply: Complete the Application, upload cover letter and resume.   

    

Any questions can be addressed to:   

Angela Gerstner 

Recruitment Coordinator 

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.