Conservation Crew Member

Position Title: Conservation Crew Member

Locations:

Harrisonburg, VA

New River Gorge National Park, WV

Catoctin Mountain Park, MD

Compensation: $600 per week ($500 living stipend + $100 additional benefit)

Terms of Service

Start Date: September 8th, 2025

End Date: November 20th, 2025

AmeriCorps Education Award: $1,560 upon successful completion of service term

Purpose

Appalachian Conservation Corps (ACC) works to connect young people to critical conservation service work across Appalachia and neighboring communities in Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Maryland, DC, and Pennsylvania. As a corps program, ACC partners with public land managers to identify, plan, and complete projects that improve public access, habitat quality, and economic development. ACC is a program of Conservation Legacy, a nationwide network of conservation service organizations envisioning a world with healthy lands, air, and water, thriving people, and resilient communities. ACC aims to engage future leaders who protect, restore, and enhance our public lands through community-based service. ACC welcomes national applicants but also emphasizes the engagement of local individuals who represent the communities in which they serve.

Description of Duties

The crew member position is an entry-level role. Crew members with ACC serve on a crew with four crew members and two crew leaders who provide project expertise, mentorship, training, and support for the success of all participants. 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.

Crews based out of our office in Harrisonburg, VA will meet at the office on Monday mornings, travel in a crew vehicle to their project site, and remain in the field for 9 days at a time, followed by 5 days off. Projects take place across the Appalachian Region, including partnerships with the US Forest Service, National Park Service, and other land managers.

Crews based out of New River Gorge or Catoctin Mountain Park will meet at their project site, work Monday through Thursday, and have Friday through Sunday off. Camping is available for members who would like to stay on site.

During their time in the field, crew members work outdoors in all types of weather conditions, performing heavy manual labor related to environmental conservation and restoration projects. These hands-on projects include visitor access improvements, trail construction and maintenance, habitat restoration, invasive species removal, re-vegetation, and much more. Most projects require hiking out to remote work sites for the day with tools, equipment, and day pack.

Special Benefits

Benefits

• $1,560 Segal AmeriCorps Education Award upon successful completion of service term.
• $600 week stipend paid bi-weekly ($500 living stipend + $100 additional benefit)
• AmeriCorps 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, hard hats, work gloves, eye protection, and other necessary protective equipment are provided.
• Professional development opportunities (mentorship, resume support, etc.) and exposure to natural resource career paths.

Requirements

Qualifications

• Be between the ages of 18 and 30 (exception for veterans up to age 35).
• Be a United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident.
• Have received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of elementary or secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant and agrees to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award.
• Agree to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.
• No previous experience is required, but a general comfort and previous knowledge of working/living in an outdoor setting is helpful.