Alabama Conservation Corps GulfCorps Crew Member

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Student Conservation Association

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Mobile, AL, United States

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Alabama Conservation Corps

2025 - 2026 Position Description

Service Position Title: Alabama Conservation Corps (ALCC) GulfCorps Crew Member

Days and Hours of Service: Monday through Friday (8:00 AM – 4:30), Monday through Thursday (7:00-5:30),

Some nights and weekends may be required.

Dates: September 8, 2025 - February 27, 2026

Host Site Contact: Sara Boccardo, Program Manager, 251-459-2328, sboccardo@thesca.org

Primary Service Site: Various parks, wildlife refuges, nature preserves, and other public spaces in Mobile and Baldwin County

Program Overview

As part of the Student Conservation Association (SCA) Alabama Conservation Corps (ALCC) team, you'll serve as an alongside 8 young adults to carry out restoration projects in coastal Alabama as part of the GulfCorps Program.

GulfCorps aims to provide individuals with training and experience in conservation work skills while supporting coastal AL restoration projects in partnership with municipal, state, federal, and nonprofit partners. Projects will include invasive management, trail work, litter abatement, fire break maintenance, and boardwalk construction/repairs. The crew will start and begin each day at the Mobile office and then travel to the project site for the day in SCA vehicles. Service projects will take place outdoors in the elements and will at times require heavy lifting (~50 lb.), hiking, and operating equipment such as chainsaws and brush cutters.

Members will also take part in a workforce development program, receiving industry recognized certifications and training in professional development topic such as resume building and interview skills. Professional development activities ranging from workshops, presentations, and independent assignments will be scheduled out each month with the goal of supporting placement post program. Participants will have the opportunities to grow competitive skills in the field of natural resource management and to prepare for entry into the workforce after their term of service. Participation in professional development is a requirement of the program

Members may also have the option to opt into Disaster Response Deployments. Deployments would last 4-5 weeks and include intensive work schedules (50-60 hrs/week) in unpredictable environments, under the guidance and supervision of SCA staff working with the disaster response agency assigned Incident Commander. Work can include but not be limited to evacuation shelter assistance, donation center management, volunteer management, clean-up efforts, "mucking and gutting" in private residences, debris removal, Saw and/or rigging work, public information outreach, plantings and other natural area restorations.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

  • Commitment to serving as a productive team member for the full term of service
  • Interpersonal and professional conduct with crew, staff, and project partners
  • Active participation in training sessions and interest in self-development
  • Identification and treatment of invasive species in field, using mechanical and chemical methods
  • Operation of hand tools and power tools to accomplish service activities
  • Collection and compilation of project data
  • Tool maintenance and rehabilitation
  • Ability to take initiative to complete the task at hand as directed and without prompting

Required Qualifications

Physical Requirements:

  • Ability to communicate the perceived presence of safety hazards through visual and auditory means
  • Ability to lift 50 lbs., and walk/hike on uneven terrain, uphill or downhill, for 5 miles
  • Ability to serve in environmental conditions that will include extreme heat, extreme cold, high winds, and precipitation

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Interest in hands-on, outdoor service activities
  • Interest in pursuing a career in conservation or a related field
  • Ability to work as part of team to complete hands on outdoor projects

Member Benefits

  • Compensation: $600/week living allowance.
  • Trainings provided: Wilderness First Aid, Wildland Chainsaw (S212), Wildland Firefighter (Red card), and SCA Leadership Development Training.
  • This position may be eligible for AmeriCorps enrollment. However, the SCA has not yet received confirmation of a grant award for this program. If funding is awarded, you may qualify for an AmeriCorps Education Award. If not, you will serve in a non-AmeriCorps role with the same living allowance and benefits. If selected, you will be updated on AmeriCorps funding status before your start date.

Member Trainings

  • Crew member Orientation (Sept 8, 9)
  • Wilderness First Aid and CPR (Sept 10, 11, 12)
  • GulfCorps Orientation overnight at Camp Beckwith (Sept 15-19, 2024)
  • Wildland Firefighter and Chainsaw Certification overnight at Camp Beckwith (TBD)

Service Conditions

Service is performed primarily outdoors. Some classroom time will be required when weather conditions are not ideal for outdoor service or when required professional development activities are due.

Equipment Used

Hand tools, herbicide and herbicide application equipment, power tools, carpentry tools, and chainsaws.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The Student Conservation Association, Inc., is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The SCA strives to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all staff members and is committed to maintaining a work atmosphere where lifestyles may grow personally and professionally.