Contact Name: Victoria Finn
Company/Organization/Agency: NY-NJ Trail Conference Conservation Corps
Address: 600 Ramapo Valley Road, Mahwah, NJ 07430 United States
Email Address: vfinn@nynjtc.org
Contact Phone:
Job Title: Trail Crew Leader: AmeriCorps Position
Job Description: PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Trail Conference Conservation Corps (TCCC) provides opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts to become leaders in environmental conservation. Industry experts train our AmeriCorps crews in sustainable trail building, invasive species management, public outreach, volunteer engagement, and outdoor leadership to provide vital resources to the parks you enjoy. Corps Members will receive a living stipend for their service and are eligible for education awards through our partnership with AmeriCorps.
POSITION SUMMARY
TCCC Trail Crews build and repair primitive trails to provide the public with safe, sustainable, and enjoyable access to nature. Projects typically entail soil excavation, quarrying and moving large rocks, and other manual labor 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. 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.
LOCATIONS
One of several sites across New York’s Lower Hudson Valley: Harriman, Hudson Highlands, and Sterling Forest State Parks or locations in Northern New Jersey
TERM OF SERVICE
Minimum of 1200-hour term of service, April 5th through November 17th. Work week is Wednesday through Sunday. Weekend work is required. Members must take a 1/2-hour lunch which does not count toward service hours. This outdoor position includes a variety of weather conditions. Members are required to wear a provided uniform.
BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION
(The Trail Conference greatly values the Corps Members’ experience, in parentheses are approximate values of the training and service that will be provided)
• Free rustic, lakeside housing within Harriman State Park provided from May 9th-October 27th; Some work will be done outside of the above timeframe ($909 per month)
• Bi-weekly pre-tax living allowance of $937.50, or $15,000 total
• Eligible for an AmeriCorps education award upon successful completion of the term totaling $4,546.50
• Certification in Wilderness First Aid/CPR/AED ($285) and Leave No Trace (Two Day Trainer Course $100)
• Networking and career development opportunities with environmental professionals including one-on-one resume workshops ($250)
• Training and experience in leadership, teaching, working with volunteers, public outreach, and teamwork
• Opportunity for qualified student loan deferment and interest repayment
• Eligible for SNAP benefits ($245.88 per month)
• Travel stipend ($46 bi-weekly)
• Total Approximate Value of Stipend, Education Award, and Services: $27,884.50
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Oversee, motivate, and coordinate a crew of AmeriCorps members in building and repairing hiking and multi-use trails
• Work alongside crews on trail projects including tread excavation and building structures with native stone; model best practices and help set work pace
• Train, oversee, and motivate volunteers during weekend workdays, and host trail building skills workshops for the public
• Coordinate project details with staff, volunteers, and partners to ensure timely and quality outcomes
• Ensure proper crew and project documentation, including accomplishments and reports; help communicate crew efforts to the public via social media posts
• Assist staff in crewmember training, including teaching safe and effective tool use and trail building methods
• Pre- and post-crew season, assist staff in season planning and wrap-up, including building trail alongside other Team Leaders
• Members may not engage in Prohibited Activities outlined in AmeriCorps Member Service Agreement
• 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
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Experience with and a passion for working outdoors in nature
• Willingness and ability to lead and work as part of a team to complete projects
• Ability to do physically strenuous field work in rugged terrain, including the ability to lift and carry loads up to 50 pounds and hike up to 5 miles in most weather conditions
• Must have a reliable personal vehicle for transportation of self, tools, and supplies to field sites
BONUS POINTS
• Previous trail building or other manual labor experience, especially with dry stone construction or griphoist rigging
• Leadership and/or teaching experience
• Familiarity with using photos and social media to promote social causes
• Comfort with writing and data entry
Job Start Date: 4/5/2023
Application Deadline: 3/15/2023
Additional Information: APPLICATION
Go to https://www.nynjtc.org/corpsapplication to apply. Applications are accepted until the positions are filled.
For questions, email Conservation Corps Manager Tori Finn at vfinn@nynjtc.org.