Individual Placement-AmeriCorps

Position Title: AmeriCorps Individual Placement – Field Data Technician

Conservation Legacy Program: Southeast Conservation Corps   

Site Location: Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, Blue Ridge Ranger District

Address: 

2042 Highway 515 W

Blairsville, GA 30512

Term of Service: 50 weeks

• Start Date: 03/15/2027
• End Date: 02/25/2028
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 1700 hr  

Status: This is a full-time, seasonal, 50-week, 1700-hour AmeriCorps National Service Program. 

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $7,395.00 upon successful completion of the program
• Living allowance of $480.00 per week, paid bi-weekly
• Additional Benefit of $465.00 per week, paid bi-weekly

Other Benefits: AmeriCorps health insurance, uniform shirts, personal protective equipment, Public Land Corps Hiring Authority Certificate (upon successful completion of hours), member assistance program, and other professional development opportunities available. 

Positions Available: 1

Purpose

Southeast Conservation Corps (SECC):    
Empowering youth and adults to cultivate compassion, responsibility and life skills through community service, hard work and land stewardship. 

Southeast Conservation Corps, a program of Conservation Legacy, is a non-profit AmeriCorps program. We engage youth (age 15-17) and young adults (ages 18-30, up to 35 for veterans) in service projects on public lands throughout the Southeast. SECC collaborates with land management agencies (United States Forest Service, National Park Service, State Parks, local municipalities, and non-profits) to host day or overnight camping crews and individual placements. 

Our AmeriCorps positions provide impactful educational and service opportunities that benefit both communities and landscapes. SECC’s participants reflect the population of the Southeast region, including youth, graduates, veterans, and individuals from various backgrounds. 

United States Forest Service:

The phrase “Caring for the Land and Serving People,” captures the Forest Service mission. As set forth in law, the mission is to achieve quality land management under the sustainable multiple-use management concept to meet the many needs of people. 

Blue Ridge Ranger District:

The Blue Ridge Ranger District Recreation program is active and varied with year round visitation that includes ten developed campgrounds, all or portions of seven congressionally designated Wilderness Areas, the Ed Jenkins National Recreation Area, two permitted shooting ranges, numerous dispersed camping and day use areas including Brasstown Bald Visitor Information Center, three OHV trail systems, Jake & Bull trail system (over 30 miles of multi-use horse, bike and hike trails), ASKA trail system (over 15 miles of multi-use bike and hike trails), the Toccoa River Canoe Trail (13.8 miles) and numerous hiking trails including portions of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, the Benton MacKaye Trail and three National Recreation Trails (Duncan Ridge, Jacks Knob, and Arkaquah Trails). The program maintains trails, facilities, and other infrastructure, manages visitor-use issues and impacts, and coordinates land management services with partner organizations.

Position Overview: 

This Individual Placement is designed as an entry-level professional opportunity to serve directly with a federal land management agency, developing relevant skills, qualifications, and experience. The service focuses on field data collection to provide a comprehensive assessment of current conditions in relation to recent natural disasters and their impact on the weather. Hurricane Helene, along with many other recent impacts, has created significant impacts on the Blue Ridge Ranger District. 

The Individual Placement will serve alongside Forest Service technicians and specialists in a variety of resource areas, including trail management, wilderness stewardship, engineering, archaeology, outdoor recreational facilities, wildlife management, silviculture, forestry, and wildland fire. While the service will focus on utilizing technology and GIS to collect real-time data from the field, the exposure and training are designed to equip the individual with the necessary experience to compete for an entry-level position with a land management agency upon program completion. The individual placement will utilize GIS technology and associated devices to collect data from across the district, helping specialists build a comprehensive assessment of current conditions. Products will include condition surveys, GIS data, photographs, narrative reports, and other relevant materials. Service may involve hiking, inclement weather, and physical demands. 

Description of Duties:

Recreation Site Data Collection 

• Serve with the Supervisor to gain an understanding of the data needed and the overall intent of the assessment.
• Build an assessment plan for the district to prioritize different resource needs and concerns.
• Gain proficiency with GIS technology and applications.  
• Keep consistent records of data gathered and stay organized. 
• Serve with recreation staff to mitigate immediate concerns or develop recommendations on remedies.

Recreation Operations 

• Serve with the recreation team to gain an understanding of the duties and responsibilities of a recreation technician. 
• Assist the recreation team with routine activities, including water sampling, grounds maintenance, and compliance monitoring. 
• Assisting recreation leads with priority assignments in developed recreation, dispersed recreation, and trails as needed. 
• Build skillsets with the use and operation of hand tools and power tools in a variety of applications. 

Recreation Maintenance and Improvement Projects 

• Assist the recreation lead in planning and organizing project service tasks.
• Identify required project materials, tools, and equipment needed for the day. 
• Use a variety of hand tools and power tools to accomplish the assigned tasks. 
• Assist team with clean-up and monitoring after the service is completed 

Potential environmental/human risk involved with this term of service: uneven terrain, physical exertion, inclement weather, and remote service sites.  

Qualifications:

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien 
• Must be between the ages of 18 and 30, or up to 35 if a military veteran.   
• Has 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 t obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent before using the education award 
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check 
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills. 
• Strong interest in road construction, serving outdoors, and natural resource management.  
• Proven ability to complete assignments and meet deadlines with minimal supervision.  
• Comfortable navigating by map throughout the forest, including areas with limited or no cell coverage.
• You must possess a valid driver’s license and pass Conservation Legacy’s Driver Insurability requirements.

 Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with hand tools and power tools. 
• Crosscut or chainsaw sawyer Certification. 
• Experience collecting data in the backcountry.  
• Experience with navigation by map and terrain association. 
• Experience with ESRI Field Maps, Survey123, and ArcGIS software. 
• College degree or professional experience in environmental studies, natural resources, outdoor recreation, or a related field. 

Transportation:

A personal vehicle is required to report to/from the service site/office, and for all personal business. A USFS/SECC vehicle will be provided for transportation to conduct operations within the forest. This Individual Placement must be a driver and pass Conservation Legacy’s driver insurability requirements.

Housing:

Housing will not be provided. USFS staff will assist with finding housing in the local area near the park. 

Physical Requirements:

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full consideration of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential functions. Some positions may require periodic overnight travel, non-traditional hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. The ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager. 

Time Requirements:

• Typically, this position is expected to serve from 8 am – 5pm, Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week – but exact service schedules may vary and will include evening and weekend service depending on project needs.
• A half hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service. 
• Members may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.  

Orientation and Training:

• Members will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
• Defensive Driving – how to drive on gravel/USFS roads
• ArcGIS, Survey123, FieldMaps, Avenza, USDA Guidelines for Maintenance Levels

Evaluation and Reporting:

As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of hours, the member has satisfactorily completed assignments, and if the member has met other performance criteria that were clearly communicated at the beginning of the term of service.  

Reporting requirements include, but are not limited to:  

• Bi-weekly timesheets 
• Monthly Accomplishment Report 
• Narrative Monthly Report. 
• Bi-Monthly Check-Ins 
• Midterm and Final Evals 
• Exiting Tasks 

Substance Free:

In accordance with a drug-free environment, alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in AmeriCorps and program activities and while on organization property.   

If you have questions about the position, please contact:  

John Stephens

Recreation Program Manager

USFS: Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest

Blue Ridge Ranger District

John.r.stephens@usda.gov 

If you have questions about the application process, please contact:  

Angela Gerstner

Individual Placements Program Coordinator