Contact Name: Victoria Finn
Company/Organization/Agency: NY-NJ Trail Conference Conservation Corps
Address: 600 Ramapo Valley Rd., Mahwah, NJ 07430 United States
Email Address: vfinn@nynjtc.org
Contact Phone: (201) 874-9356
Job Title: Trail Crew Leader: AmeriCorps Position
Job Description: Trail Conference Conservation Corps (TCCC) provides great opportunities for outdoor lovers to become leaders in environmental conservation. AmeriCorps members will spend their summer outdoors protecting natural resources, gaining valuable experience in the field, and making a difference in conservation.
Our beloved trails are more than just outdoor entertainment, they provide a necessary link between the public and habitat protection, offering essential opportunities to protect plant and animal species. TCCC trail crews maintain that link by building and repairing primitive trails to provide the public with safe, sustainable and enjoyable access to nature. Projects typically entail intensive labor and site modification (soil excavation, quarrying and moving large rocks) to produce quality results that minimize long-term environmental impact. Each year, hundreds of thousands of users enjoy the trails our crews have built and restored.
We are seeking 4 skilled, dedicated and outgoing individuals to serve as TCCC Trail Crew Leaders for 3-7 crew member crews and community volunteers performing trail work under the direction of staff Trail Builders and a Corps Program Manager. Suitable candidates will have some trail building experience, although more will be provided. They must also be outgoing, with a strong work ethic and ability to teach and lead others.
Former TCCC trail crew members have gone on to successful careers in the NYC Parks Department, New York State Department of Environmental Protection, and many other local and national environmental departments! If you want to be on a team of peers in environmental protection, network with regional leaders in conservation, gain trail building skills and experience, a position on the TCCC Trail crew might be right for you!
Program Overview:
Our AmeriCorps crews are trained by industry experts in sustainable trail building, invasive species management, public outreach, volunteer engagement, and outdoor leadership. You will receive a living stipend for your service and are eligible for an AmeriCorps education award upon successful completion of the term of service.
Members learn and serve in the greater New York metropolitan region, which features the nation’s finest system of trails outside of a major urban area. From trail construction to habitat restoration to visitor education, you can provide vital resources to the public parks you enjoy. Come help protect the land you love! For more information about our Corps, visit www.nynjtc.org/corps.
Service Location: A site in northern New Jersey or multiple sites throughout The Lower Hudson Valley of New York
Term of Service: A minimum of 1200-hour term of service April 6th through November 19th, mostly Thursday-Monday including weekends and some holidays. Members are also required to take a 1/2 hour lunch which does not count towards service hours. While on duty, successful candidates will wear a provided uniform. This is primarily an outdoor position.
Duties and Responsibilities:
* Lead, supervise, motivate and coordinate a crew of 4-8 AmeriCorps members and numerous episodic community volunteers in executing trail projects to build, renovate and repair high quality hiking and multi-use trails. Includes tread excavation and building structures such as bridges and native stone staircases and retaining walls
* Ensuring quality control and delegating tasks, while working alongside the crew to encourage good work ethic and to set the work pace
* Training, overseeing, and motivating volunteers during episodic workdays and workshops to ensure quality trail work while improving the Trail Conference’s volunteer skill capacity
* Coordinate project logistics with Staff Trail Builders and partner organizations
* Guide and support crew members, facilitate conflict resolution, and build crew cohesion
* Ensure proper crew and project documentation, including project accomplishments, crew timekeeping and paperwork, and photos.
* Assist Staff Trail Builders in initial crewmember training, including teaching safe and effective tool use and proper trail building methods and standards.
* Pre and post-crew season, assist Staff Trail Builders in project and crew planning and season wrap-up including but not limited to building trail alongside other Crew leaders.
* Members may not engage in any Prohibited Activities as outlined in the AmeriCorps Member Service Agreement
Trail Crew leaders are prohibited from signing crew member timesheets, evaluating crew member performance, disciplining crew members, enrolling/dismissing crew members, writing and/or signing program reports, managing the program’s payroll and budget.
Skills and Attributes Required:
* At least 1 season trail work experience
* Outgoing welcoming personality
* Must also be outgoing, with a strong work ethic and ability to teach and lead others.
* Ability to motivate, teach, and work with people of all ages and backgrounds
* Ability to conduct physically strenuous field work in rugged terrain including ability to lift and carry heavy loads up to 50 pounds and hike 5 miles on uneven terrain
* Ability and willingness to work outdoors in primitive settings in all weather conditions
* Durable sense of humor, enthusiasm, and ability to work hard
* Ability to maintain a safe and enjoyable work environment under challenging conditions
* Must have a reliable personal vehicle for transportation of self, tools, and supplies to field sites
Preferred Skills and Attributes:
* Experience working with and teaching volunteer individuals and groups
* Leadership experience, especially of small teams from diverse backgrounds
* Experience with dry stone construction and griphoist rigging use
* Familiarity with using photos and social media to promote social causes
* Comfort with data tracking and entry
Benefits
* Build/maintain long lasting trails in beautiful locations
* Develop advanced trail building skills and knowledge in areas such as layout and design, rigging techniques, and project management
* Training in Wilderness First Aid/CPR/AED and Leave No Trace Principles
* Training and experience in teaching and working with volunteers, public outreach, and teamwork
* Valuable leadership opportunities
* Valuable professional development and networking opportunities
* Opportunity to serve local communities and the public by making a difference in the environment and improving habitats in a tangible way
* Eligible for SNAP (food stamp) benefits
* Bi-weekly pre-tax living allowance of $848.48; $14,000 total
* Upon successful completion of the program, an education award of $4,336.50
* Become a member of the dynamic AmeriCorps community
* Free, as needed, rustic cabin housing at a local park on a first-come first-served basis; a short drive to transit to access NYC and surrounding areas (dependent upon COVID-19 restrictions).
* Opportunity for qualified student loan deferment and interest repayment
Enrollment Requirements:
An individual must be at least 18 years of age; have a high school diploma or GED; be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien; pass a three-part national service criminal history check of the national sex-offender registry, state repository check, and FBI fingerprint check; and complete all pre-service orientation and training requirements. Documentation of age, education and citizenship are due by the first day of orientation. Criminal history checks will be initiated before the start of service; an individual will be ineligible if s/he is required to register on the National Sex Offender Registry, has been convicted of murder, or fails to disclose any previous conviction. Other convictions or pending charges will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis in accordance with program policy.
Job Start Date: 4/6/2021
Application Deadline: 3/1/2021
Additional Information: To Apply:
Go to https://www.nynjtc.org /corps
Applications accepted until positions are filled.
For questions, email Conservation Corps Manager, Tori Finn at vfinn@nynjtc.org.