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:
Job Title: Trail Crew Member: AmeriCorps Position
Job Description: The 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 hiking trails are more than just outdoor entertainment, they provide the necessary link between the public and habitat protection, offering essential opportunities to protect plant and animal species.
Members of the TCCC trail program will serve on crews of four to eight, building and renovating primitive trails alongside dynamic community volunteers. Projects typically entail intensive labor and site modification (soil excavation, quarrying and moving large rocks) to produce quality trails that minimize long-term environmental impact while providing safe and enjoyable access to the recreating public. Thousands of hikers enjoy the trails our TCCC members have built and restored.
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!
Service Location: A site in New Jersey or multiple sites throughout the Lower Hudson Valley
Term of Service: A minimum of 900-hour term of service May 13th through October 25th, Thursday-Monday (hours may vary from 7:00 AM-7:00 PM), 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.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Building and maintaining high quality hiking and multi-use trails and trail structures, including tread
excavation, native stone staircase and wall construction, and bridges
Periodically assume crew leadership responsibilities, including project and crew management, paperwork and
safety compliance, and volunteer outreach
Training, teaching, overseeing, and motivating volunteers during episodic workdays and workshops to ensure
quality trail work while improving the Trail Conference’s volunteer skill capacity
Filling out and submitting weekly timesheets, project accomplishments, and volunteer paperwork
Documenting project accomplishments and contributing to final reports
Members may not engage in any Prohibited Activities as outlined in the AmeriCorps Member Service
Agreement
Skills and Attributes Required:
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 work ethic
Ability to maintain a safe and enjoyable work environment under challenging conditions
Ability to motivate, teach, and work with people of all ages and backgrounds
Must have a valid driver’s license; reliable personal vehicle preferred
A love and commitment to the outdoors
Preferred Skills and Attributes:
Outdoor work/volunteering experience, especially on trails
Experience working with and teaching volunteer individuals and groups
Leadership experience, especially of small teams from diverse backgrounds
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
Gain trailbuilding skills and experience including griphoist rigging, dry masonry and trail structures, rock
drilling and splitting, tread and drainage, and design and layout
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 $708.33 (returning members $761.67); $8,500 total (returning members
$9,500)
Eligible for an AmeriCorps education award upon successful completion of the term of service; $3,097.50 total
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 (COVID-19 restrictions dependent)
Opportunity for qualified student loan deferment and interest repayment
Job Start Date: 5/13/2021
Application Deadline: 4/15/2021
Additional Information: Please go to www.nynjtc.org/corps for more information and to apply.