SECC is an independent, non-residential program. Crew Members are responsible for finding and attaining their own housing when not in the field. On-hitch crews prepare all their own meals and participate as a group to complete all necessary chores. Community/camp chores will be completed every evening, with many evenings including group discussions, conservation and/or corps related topics. The Crew Members must supply their own personal outdoor gear and equipment such as a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, day pack, multi-day pack, work pants, hiking/work boots, etc. SECC will provide group camp equipment, tools, protective gear and transportation between SECC Office and project sites.

Position Summary:

Research shows that members of marginalized groups – including women, LGBTQIA+ identifying people, Black, Indigenous, and other people of color (BIPOC) – tend to apply to jobs only if they meet every single requirement listed. Here at Southeast Conservation Corps, we want the best candidates for the job, and those candidates don’t always meet 100% of the requirements listed. If you are passionate about uniting, empowering, and celebrating diverse communities for all and breaking down barriers for equity, we encourage you to apply – especially if you’re a member of a structurally marginalized group. We look forward to your application.

Southeast Conservation Corps’ Crew Leaders perform many roles and are the key to our program’s success. The position is multi-faceted and demanding, but with opportunity for enormous rewards. Successful candidates will demonstrate resourcefulness, effective communication skills, excellent judgement, maturity, initiative, professionalism, and the desire to devote themselves to a crew experience where the needs of others are placed above oneself. The Crew Leader position requires, mentorship, patience, technical aptitude, focus on efficiency, and a high level of comfort in the outdoors. Crew Leaders are ultimately responsible for successes and shortcomings of the crew. We encourage applicants who identify as Women’s+ to apply. Our program model fosters a supportive learning environment where participants can maximize their opportunities to grow and develop while gaining certifications to propel them into a career in environmental stewardship. It also creates an intentional space for groups that are under-represented to step into conservation and natural resource management.

Service Project:

Southeast Conservation Corps (SECC), The Daniel Boone National Forest, and Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area have partnered to host a Kentucky Fire & Recreation Crew. This crew will engage in various natural resource management projects through fuels management, prescribed fire, and developed recreation service projects. The Kentucky Fire & Recreation Crew provides an open and supportive space where members collaborate, learn from, and grow alongside one another as members gain leadership and technical skills, and engage in professional development opportunities through trainings and certifications related to fire and developed recreation management. As a crew, you will perform manual labor and complete conservation projects using various manual and power tools. You will be engaged in the program as a leader and will participate/ facilitate in environmental education and leadership development activities in addition to service projects. Risk management is of utmost importance, and all policies and procedures must be followed.

SECC's 2025 Kentucky Fire & Rec Crew is an AmeriCorps program administered by Serve Kentucky and funded by AmeriCorps, the federal agency.

The term of service will include a variety of tasks aimed at improving and maintaining recreation sites and supporting forest management activities. The primary responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Developed Recreation:

• Heavy Recreation Site Improvements

• Restoration/Stabilization

• Gravel Surfacing

• Painting and Repairs

• Data Collection

• Trail Building/Maintenance

Prescribed Fire Activities:

• Chainsaw use

• Establishing prescribed fire containment lines

• Providing holding and ignition resources for multiple prescribed burn units

• Trail Building/Maintenance:

Members will earn the following training and certifications:

*Members my not exceed 20% of their total term hours as trainings

• ICS-100 (Intro to Incident Command System)

• IS-700 (Intro to the National Incident Management System)

• S-130 (Firefighter Training)

• S-190 (Into to Wildland Fire Behavior)

• L-180 (Human Factors in Wildland Fire Service)

• USFS chainsaw recognized certifications

• Red Card via successful completion of the Moderate Pack Test

• 2-mile hike in 30 minutes with 25 pounds

• Trail construction and Maintenance

• Wilderness First Aid certification

Hitch Schedule:

This position will operate on a variable “hitch” schedule. For example, the schedule could be 9 days on - 5 days off, 4 days on - 3 days off, or 5 days on – 2 days off. The schedule will shift based on project and partner needs and will include group camping while on hitch. Generally, it will follow 9 days on and 5 days off for camping crews. Project days follow a 10-hour shift with scheduled time for breaks. Applicants should be prepared to camp during hitches for the duration of the season, with lodging provided on a case-by-case basis if necessary.

While the staff at SECC and partners strive to provide consistency throughout the season, personal flexibility is expected and should be prepared for when entering the term as schedules, times, and project locations are subject to change per project needs.

Optional Housing during Off-Hitch*

SECC is an independent, non-residential program. Crew Members are responsible for finding and attaining their own housing when not in the field.

Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area (LBL) has offered shared housing options for SECC crew members during their off-hitch time. This housing is optional and available at no cost from February 2025 – May 2025. Housing will be a shared 3 bedroom/1 bathroom trailer with utilities and washer & dryer included. Internet not included.

• Members are required to follow the set housing regulations required by LBL to utilize this housing.

Prohibited Activities:

While charging time to the AmeriCorps program, accumulating service or training hours, or otherwise performing activities supported by the AmeriCorps program or the Corporation, staff and members may not engage in activities listed in CFR §2520.65.

Expectations of an SECC Corpsmember:

• Expect to spend long days in a frontcountry or backcountry location. Project days will include hiking and strenuous labor in remote settings in all weather conditions.

• SECC is a non-residential program, meaning crew members are responsible for attaining and paying for their own housing when not in the field.

• Crews prepare all their own meals while in-field and as a group complete all necessary chores. Community/camp chores will be completed every evening, with many evenings including group discussions on conservation and/or corps related topics.

• Crew members must supply their own personal outdoor gear and equipment such as a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, day pack, multi-day pack, work pants, hiking/work boots, etc. SECC will provide group camp equipment, tools, protective gear, and transportation between SECC office and project sites.

• While participating in a term of National Service, SECC crews engage in a variety of team dynamics, emphasizing respect for fellow members, partners, the public, and the land they encounter.

• SECC expects members to represent the program in a professional manner.

• Crew life will include our corps values of challenge, stewardship, dedication, community, integrity, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).

• Members are expected to be timely, hardworking, flexible, and complete all functions of tasks assigned.