Invasive Species Technician Individual Placement-AmeriCorps

Position Title: Invasive Species Technician Individual Placement

Conservation Legacy Program: Southeast Conservation Corps  

Site Location: Chattahoochee- Oconee National Forest | Conasauga Ranger District

Address: 3941 HWY 76, Chatsworth, GA 30705

Position Available: 2 

Terms of Service: 38 Weeks

Start Date: 03/09/2026

End Date: 11/27/2026 

AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 1200 hr 

Purpose: 

Southeast Conservation Corps (SECC) is a non-profit, AmeriCorps-affiliated organization. This individual placement is in partnership with the National Park Service and is an AmeriCorps Position.  SECC empowers young adults to cultivate compassion, responsibility, and grit through community service and environmental stewardship. SECC selects young adults, ages 18-30, to complete conservation projects on public lands throughout the Southeast. SECC programs encourage environmental stewardship, foster community partnerships, and emphasize experiential learning.

USFS: 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 diverse needs of people.

Chatt-O Conasauga Ranger District:The Conasauga Ranger District of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest is comprised of approximately 170,000 acres that include Chattooga, Floyd, Whitfield, Gordon, Catoosa, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, and Walker counties. Diverse and unique wildlife habitat abounds on the District, situated squarely between the Ridge and Valley Province to the west and the Southern Appalachians to the east. The northernmost longleaf in the state can be found on the western side of the District, while habitat for ruffed grouse, blue shiner, and brook trout exists to the east in the Cohutta Mountains. As part of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests system, the district represents some of the finest outdoor recreation activities in the state of Georgia with 300 miles of trail (to include the Pinhoti and Benton MacKaye Trails), the Cohutta Wilderness Area (the largest wilderness in the National Forest system in the eastern United States), numerous developed recreation areas, and a multitude of dispersed recreation areas.

Position Overview:

Primary placement responsibilities include conducting treatment of NNIS plants, assisting in wild pig control, and hemlock treatments. Other duties assigned could include large wood projects to improve riparian/aquatic habitats, timber marking, and wildlife surveys. The control and eradication of non-native invasive pests will greatly benefit and improve the wide array of native habitats found on the district.

Description of Duties: 

NNIS Plant Treatment

·       Serve with the supervisor to identify the target species (plant identification), the location of the infestation, and the appropriate herbicide.

·       Conduct chemical treatment of infestation sites, abiding by the parameters set by the supervisor (labeled herbicide rates, weather parameters).

·       Record treatment data (volume applied, date, location, weather, etc.).

 Hemlock Treatment (Hemlock Woolly Adelgid)

·       Serve with the supervisor to identify the location of the infestation.

·       Conduct chemical treatment (soil injection) of the infestation site, abiding by the parameters set by the supervisor (labeled pesticide rates, weather parameters).

·       Record treatment data (volume applied, date, location, weather, etc.).

Wild Pig Control

·       Establish bait sites - serve with supervisor to determine a suitable location and then deploy bait and game camera. Re-bait as needed.

·       Trap Setup - Coordinate with supervisor and DNR personnel to assist with trap setup. Check trap and rebait as needed.

·       Trap Removal - Individual Placements will assist FS/DNR during capture events and will help break down/clean traps before they are moved to a new location.

Potential environmental/human risk involved with this term of service: uneven terrain, physical exertion, inclement weather, and remote service sites. Chemical spills and herbicide exposure - mitigated by always carrying a fully stocked spill kit and always wearing appropriate PPE. Wild pigs carry numerous diseases that can be transmitted to humans when they handle dead pigs. Eye protection and latex gloves will always be worn when around pig carcasses. This position requires carrying backpack sprayers that can weigh up to 35 pounds in hot and humid conditions.

Qualifications: 

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
• At least 18 years of age
• 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 to 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
• Valid Driver’s License
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
•  Strong interest in forestry, botany, wildlife management, and natural resources.
• 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.

 Preferred Qualifications: 

·       Bachelor’s Degree in a related field.

·       Experience with hand tools and power tools.

·       Crosscut or chainsaw sawyer Certification.

·       GA Commercial Pesticide Applicator's License

·       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 due to the limited public transportation and rural character of this location. USFS/SECC vehicles will be provided for transportation only for forest capacity. This Individual Placement will have to be a driver. 

Physical Requirements: 

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full inclusion 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. Ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or a 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 8 am until 5 pm, 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. Member 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 roads / USFS Roads
• Individual Placements will spend the first month with an FS-certified pesticide applicator receiving direct instruction and supervision, to include training in plant identification. Individual Placements will be expected to take and pass the GA certified pesticide applicator's exam by month two (April).
• Individual Placements will spend ~ 1 week with FS/APHIS-Wildlife Services/DNR personnel to learn the basics of pig trapping, focusing on proper baiting and trapping techniques. Individual Placements will assist with the entire baiting and trapping process; however, FS/DNR personnel will be present during all capture events.

Benefits: 

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award: $5,176
• Living Allowance: $480 per week.
• Additional Benefit: $420 per week.
• Benefits: yes
• Possible student loan forbearance.
• Member Assistance Program – 3 free sessions of support with a counseling or service-life balance specialist.
• Uniform shirts
• Professional development opportunities (mentorship, resume support, etc.) and exposure to natural resource career paths.

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 Task

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.  

Applications will begin review on November 10, 2025, with a selection by February 9, 2026.

If you have questions about the position, please contact: 

Rollins Jolly

Wildlife Biologist

USFS -– Chattahoochee- Oconee National Forest - Conasauga Ranger District

JAMES.JOLLY@USDA.GOV

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

Ray Wilson 

Individual Placement Coordinator 

Southeast Conservation Corps 

rwilson@conservationlegacy.org 

Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodations due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager. 

Salary : $420 - $480