Shenandoah Youth Conservation Crew - 2024

Title: Youth Conservation Crew Member – Shenandoah Youth Corps  

Program Dates: June 10th to July 5th, 2024 OR July 8th to August 2nd, 2024

Status: Full-time, Exempt, Seasonal 

Compensation: $15/hour for service project work (up to 40 hours per week), paid bi-weekly   

Questions? Contact sakers@conservationlegacy.org 

 

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Appalachian Conservation Corps:   

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. Our programs focus on service, place-based learning, life skills development, appreciation of diversity, civic responsibility, and career development. ACC also provides an opportunity for members to learn about the local environment and issues affecting it and introduces individuals to recreation and resource management careers. ACC welcomes national applicants, but also emphasizes the engagement of local individuals who represent the communities in which they serve. 

Position Summary: 

The youth Conservation Crew member position is an entry-level role. Members are supported on a variety of levels, by their crew leaders, program staff, project partners, and Conservation Legacy staff. While prior experience with the outdoors or outdoor work can be helpful, it is not a necessity for this position. We ask that members embrace learning opportunities, face challenges, and build community with their crew.  

Participants will work on a four-week Shenandoah Youth Corps crew at Shenandoah National Park camping either Monday-Friday or for the entirety of the 4 weeks (see “Schedule” below). All crews will consist of four youth crew members and two experienced and trained crew leaders. The crew will work with National Park Service staff on projects that may include trail construction & maintenance, habitat improvement, improvements to recreation access, re-vegetation, and much more. Most projects require hiking out to remote work sites for the day with tools, equipment, and day pack.   

Additional educational and professional development opportunities will also be included. This program focuses on engaging youth, ages 16 – 18, in meaningful learning and service opportunities. Some shared equipment is available to be borrowed for the season, though members are encouraged to have their own personal outdoor gear and equipment (tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, etc.).    

Schedule: 

Two sessions will be offered. Members are encouraged to only participate in one session, but exceptions may be made based on position availability.  

 

• Session I: 4 weeks – Shenandoah Youth Corps  

Crews camp out and work in the field Monday – Friday from June 10th to July 5th, 2024. Crew members will return to the ACC office in Harrisonburg each Friday to clean crew gear and prep it for the following week. Members may be dropped off by a friend/family member or drive themselves and leave their car in the office lot. Members have Saturday and Sunday off and return to the ACC office at 7:30am on Mondays to go back out the following week.  

 

• Session II: 4 weeks – Shenandoah Youth Corps  

This is a fully residential session; crew members will camp out for the entire 4 weeks from July 8th to August 2nd, 2024. The crew will complete hands-on conservation service projects in the field Monday - Friday, followed by educational, programmed activities on the weekends. While on site and under the supervision of Conservation Legacy staff, members are required to participate in educational programming.  

  

While in the field, members complete service project work for 8 hours a day Monday through Friday. The day starts with a stretch circle and safety meeting and includes two fifteen-minute breaks and a half-hour break for lunch.   

Prior to their start date, selected members must complete an online enrollment process which includes completing e-forms and uploading IDs, as well as getting parental signatures on paper forms (for members under 18). For those with limited access to online platforms, accommodations may be available and can be discussed during the interview process. Participants who are 18 years of age or older will also be asked to complete a background check.  

Crew Life:  

 Crew leaders provide project expertise, mentorship, training, and support for the success of all participants. Food and group cooking gear is provided while in the field. Crews work together to plan meals and complete all necessary chores (cooking, washing dishes, etc.). Most dietary restrictions can be accommodated if known ahead of time. Many evenings include group discussions on conservation topics.  

ACC supports a culture of feedback and growth. Members will set goals at the beginning of the season and review their performance throughout their season through formal and informal check-ins, self-evaluations, and review with their crew leader. Evaluations will cover areas such as professionalism, responsibility and leadership, communication, engagement, productivity, safety, and equipment use. Crew members will also be asked to evaluate their crew leaders’ performance, the overall program, and their experience at the end of their term.  

Expectations: 

ACC is an independent, non-residential program. Youth crew members are responsible for their own housing, food, and transportation when not in the field. While members will be asked to supply as much of their personal equipment as possible, loaner gear will be available if needed, especially for more expensive items such as tents and sleeping bags. A gear list is provided upon acceptance into the program. Please ask immediately if there is loaner gear you require. In addition to providing food while in the field, ACC will provide group camp equipment, tools, protective gear, and transportation between ACC offices and project sites. 

Youth crew members are asked to work hard, stay positive, and be flexible with changing schedules, weather conditions, and project needs. This is a seasonal position; members are expected to fully commit to the experience, expectations, and timeline. 

Benefits: 

• $15/hour for service project work (up to 40 hours per week), paid bi-weekly  
• Member Assistance Program – 3 free sessions of support with a counseling or work-life balance specialist 
• Uniform shirts, helmet, work gloves, eye protection, and other necessary safety equipment are provided
• On-the-job training
• Professional development opportunities (mentorship, resume support, alumni listserv, etc.) and exposure to natural resource career paths 

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Flexibility, adaptability and capacity to work in a fluid, changing work environment.  
• Must be willing and able to work in an outdoor environment. 
• Current high school student (or equivalent), recent graduate, or GED.  
• Must be between the ages of 16 and 18, and a US citizen. You must be 16 years of age or older prior to the start of the program and cannot turn 19 years old before the end of the program.  
• Have US Citizenship or Legal Permanent Residency status .
• Any selected participants who are 18 years old must successfully complete a background check.  

 

Participant Essential Eligibility Requirements for Conservation Legacy Programs 

Essential eligibility requirements for the program must be met. If you are unable to meet certain requirements, we may be able to assist you with some modification unless it alters the fundamental nature of the program, compromises the health and safety of participants or staff, or places an undue financial or administrative burden on the organization. These requirements are written the same for all positions and therefore may not apply directly to your particular position.    

Participation and Expedition Behavior:  

• Work effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions. This may require problem solving on an interpersonal or group level as well as a willingness to accept differences.  
• Contribute to a safe learning environment, no harassment of others for any reason.  
• Willingness and ability to complete all aspects of the program including conservation projects, education, training and national service. Members must commit to participating in all crew/team activities, including service days in local communities where applicable.  
• Effectively communicate ideas and concerns as they arise directly to supervisors, colleagues and organization staff.  
• Have the ability to learn necessary skills and apply them to effectively carry out the service work requirements.
• Appropriately represent ACC to the public and project partners at all times.  

Safety and Judgment Expectations:  

• Effectively communicate danger to others in the form of either a warning of danger others may be encountering or a notification of personal distress, injury or need for assistance. You must be able to do so at a distance of up to 50 meters and in conditions with limited visibility or loud background noise such as darkness or high winds.  
• Effectively perceive, understand and follow directions by others so that you will be able to successfully execute appropriate and perhaps unfamiliar techniques to manage hazards. These directions may be given before the hazard is encountered or may need to be given during exposure to the hazard.  
• Stay alert and focused for several hours at a time while traveling and working in varied weather conditions.  
• Perceive and comprehend significant and apparent hazards, including those hazards previously identified by others.  
• Respond appropriately to stress or crises.  
• If taking prescription medications, participants must be able to maintain proper dosage by self-medicating without assistance from others.  

Environmental Ethics and Outdoor Skills 

• Learn and practice ‘Leave No Trace’ techniques.
• Learn and safely perform fundamental outdoor living/travel and work skills as appropriate to the project.   
• Remain adequately hydrated, fed, and properly dressed to remain generally healthy and safe, avoiding environmental injuries.     
• Live in a physically demanding, possibly remote environment for an uninterrupted period of up to several weeks. Conditions of this environment may vary significantly and may include severe weather. Some remote locations may require at a minimum one hour, but perhaps in excess of 12 hours, to reach the nearest advanced medical care.     

 Substance Free:   

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

Equal Employment Opportunity  

This program is available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, marital or parental status, genetic information, and military service. Where a significant portion of the population eligible to be served needs services or information in a language other than English, the recipient shall take reasonable steps to provide written material of the type ordinarily available to the public in appropriate languages. 

Required Skills
Required Experience