VA Benefits Advisor Ft Belvoir

Chainsaw Crew Assistant Crew Leader – Climate Impact Mitigation Reports to: Staff Crew Leader Locations: Based out of Bahama, NC but will be camping and completing service projects on either North Carolina’s Outer Banks or Croatan National Forest Season Dates: January 6th, 2025 - March 19th, 2025 Status: Full-time, seasonal 300‑hour AmeriCorps National Service position Compensation: $650/week ($500/wk for stipend, $150/wk for housing), including a $1,565.08 Segal Education Award upon completion of program Hitch Schedule: 9 days on, 5 days off and one hitch 5 days on, 3 days off Questions? Contact Mallory James at View email address on click.appcast.io Application Deadline: To receive priority, please submit your application no later than September 16th, 2024. Applications will be accepted until all positions are filled. The mission of Conservation Corps North Carolina (CCNC) is to empower young adults through meaningful outdoor work that benefits North Carolina’s land and water and creates healthy communities. CCNC is a program of Conservation Legacy that partners with public land managers in North Carolina to engage motivated young adults (ages 18‑30) to complete challenging and impactful conservation service projects throughout the region. Projects may include trail construction & maintenance, habitat improvement, hazard fuel reduction, and ecological restoration. Crews may also complete technical and/or specialized projects depending on project partner needs. Position Summary We are recruiting an Assistant Crew Leader to join us on two separate saw crews – each comprised of one CCNC staff Crew Leader, one AmeriCorps Assistant Crew Leader, and four AmeriCorps Members. This is a great chance to gain experience working with either the National Park Service or US Forest Service. The National Parks Service (NPS) Outer Banks Group crew will address critical deferred maintenance needs resulting from climate impacts across the Outer Banks Group, including hazard tree mitigation, facilities repairs, and vegetation management. Work will occur at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, and the Wright Brothers National Memorial. Additionally, the crew will support other priority projects as identified by NPS staff as needed based on weather and other factors. The US Forest Service Croatan National Forest crew will perform a variety of technical chainsaw work to complete timber stand improvement, fuels reduction, hazard tree removal, and forest health improvement projects. Both crews will use power tools—including brush cutters and chainsaws. Crew members should expect to work on rugged terrain in inclement weather with technical, advanced cutting operations. The work will be arduous and fast‑paced in areas of high exposure. Schedule and Crew Life Each crew will be comprised of one CCNC staff Crew Leader, one AmeriCorps Assistant Crew Leader, and four AmeriCorps Members. The Crew Leader and Assistant Crew Leader will provide project expertise, mentorship, training, and support for all participants. Field crews will meet at Camp Slocum (north of Durham, NC), travel by crew vehicle to their project site and remain in the field for nine days at a time, followed by five days off. While in the field, crew members work eight to ten hours a day. Each workday includes two fifteen‑minute breaks and a half‑hour lunch break. Food is provided while in the field. Crews plan meals and complete all necessary chores together. We can accommodate most dietary restrictions. Camp chores will be completed every evening, many evenings including group discussions on conservation topics. CCNC supports a culture of feedback and growth. Crew Members and Assistant Crew Leaders set goals at the beginning of the season and review their performance through self‑evaluation and a review with their Crew Leader in the middle and at the end of their season. Evaluations cover professionalism, responsibility, leadership, communication, community engagement, project work, safety, organization, and equipment. Crew Members are also asked to evaluate their Crew Leaders, the overall program, and their experience at the end of their term. Expectations CCNC is an independent, non‑residential program. Assistant Crew Leads are responsible for their own housing, food, and transportation when not in the field unless otherwise specified. Some equipment is available to borrow throughout the season, but Assistant Crew Leads are asked to supply as much of their own personal outdoor gear (tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, day pack, multi‑day pack, work pants, hiking/work boots, etc.) as possible. In the field, CCNC provides food, group camp equipment, tools, protective gear, and transportation between Camp Slocum and project sites. On‑hitch crews prepare all their own meals and work together as a group to complete all necessary chores. Community and camp chores are completed every evening, many evenings including group discussions, conservation and/or corps‑related topics. During their time in the field, CCNC field crews camp overnight and work outdoors in all types of weather conditions, performing heavy manual labor related to environmental conservation and restoration projects. Most projects require hiking out to remote work sites for the day with tools, equipment, and day pack. ACLs are asked to work hard, stay positive, and be flexible with changing schedules, weather conditions, and project needs. This is a seasonal position; ACLs are asked to fully commit to the experience, expectations, and timeline. Once selected and prior to their start date, ACLs must complete an online enrollment process that includes completing e‑forms, uploading IDs, enrolling with AmeriCorps, and beginning their background check process. Accommodations may be available for limited access to online platforms and can be discussed during the interview process. General Qualifications Be between the ages of 18 and 30 (exception for Veterans up to age 35) Have US citizenship or legal permanent residency status Have a high school diploma or GED Pass background searches (National Sex Offender Public Registry and federal and/or state criminal background check) Must be eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award (individuals are eligible if they have not already completed 2 full years of AmeriCorps service, or 4 AmeriCorps service terms, whichever comes first) Required Skills Willingness to commit fully to the program and its mission Physically fit and able to work long days in adverse conditions Must be able to demonstrate strong project management skills Strong time‑management skills and ability to work independently as well as with others 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 CCNC) and a current driver’s license Preferred Qualifications 0–1 year’s experience with CCNC, other conservation corps, or youth corps Background with experiential and/or environmental education Current and relevant certification in Wilderness Medicine (WFA, WAFA, WFR) with CPR/AED Leadership experience with youth or young adults Chainsaw experience Experience in backcountry camping/backpacking Adaptability Professionalism Strong conflict resolution skills Relevant bachelor’s degree Sense of humor, spirit of adventure, and desire to make a positive difference and promote leadership in others Community‑building ethic Participant Essential Eligibility Requirements Essential eligibility requirements for the program must be met. If you are unable to meet certain requirements, we may be able to assist you with some modification unless it alters the fundamental nature of the program, compromises the health and safety of participants or staff, or places an undue financial or administrative burden on the organization. These requirements are written the same for all positions and therefore may not apply directly to your particular position. Participation and Expedition Behavior Work effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions. This may require problem solving on an interpersonal or group level as well as a willingness to accept differences. Contribute to a safe learning environment, no harassment of others for any reason. Willingness and ability to complete all aspects of the program, including conservation projects, education, training, and national service. Members must commit to participating in all crew/team activities, including service days in local communities where applicable. Effectively communicate ideas and concerns as they arise directly to supervisors, colleagues and organization staff. Have the cognitive ability to learn necessary skills and apply them to effectively carry out the service work requirements. Appropriately represent the program and AmeriCorps to the public and project partners at all times. Safety and Judgment Effectively communicate danger to others in the form of either a warning of danger others may be encountering or a notification of personal distress, injury or need for assistance. You must be able to do so at a distance of up to 50 meters and in conditions with limited visibility or loud background noise such as darkness or high winds. Effectively perceive, understand and follow direction by others so that you will be able to successfully execute appropriate and perhaps unfamiliar techniques to manage hazards. These directions may be given before the hazard is encountered or may need to be given during exposure to the hazard. Stay alert and focused for several hours at a time while traveling and working in varied weather conditions. Perceive and comprehend significant and apparent hazards, including those hazards previously identified by others. Respond appropriately to stress or crises. If taking prescription medications, participants must be able to maintain proper dosage by self‑medicating without assistance from others. Environmental Ethics Learn and practice “Leave No Trace” techniques. Learn and safely perform fundamental outdoor living/travel and work skills as appropriate to the project. Additionally, remain adequately hydrated, fed, and properly dressed so as to remain generally healthy and safe, avoiding environmental injuries. Live in a physically demanding, possibly remote environment for an uninterrupted period of up to several weeks. Conditions of this environment may vary significantly and may include severe and/or trying weather. The remoteness is such that it may require at a minimum one hour, but perhaps in excess of 12 hours, to reach the nearest advanced medical care. Benefits $650/week living stipend, paid bi‑weekly AmeriCorps Segal Education Award upon successful completion of service term (can be used for paying off federal student loans or paying tuition for a Title IV accredited college) US Forest Service Developing Thinking Sawyers Chainsaw Training Wilderness First Aid Certification Members may be eligible for student loan forbearance Member Assistance Program – 3 free sessions of support with a counseling or work‑life balance specialist Uniform shirts, helmet, work gloves, eye protection, and other necessary safety equipment is provided On‑the‑job Training Assistance may be available for getting crew members the outdoor gear needed to participate Depending upon the academic institution and program, crew member positions may fulfill internship requirements Professional development opportunities (mentorship, resume support, alumni listserv, etc.) #J-18808-Ljbffr CALIBRE