Service Project: 

Southeast Conservation Corps (SECC) and the Cherokee National Forest have partnered to host a Watershed Restoration Crew to perform advanced felling and rigging techniques. The crew will be based out of SECCs Chattanooga, TN office and travel to the Cherokee National Forest to primarily focus on the Citico Creek Watershed and other streams in the Cherokee National Forest. The crew will use chainsaws to fell selected trees and then utilize grip hoist rigging techniques to manually place the trees in pre-identified reaches of streams by the Cherokee National Forest Fisheries Biologists and Hydrologists. The crew will collaboratively aid in the restoration of aquatic habitats for native aquatic species by installing large woody habitat structures in streams of the Cherokee National Forest. Although orientations will be implemented, applicants with a strong background in chainsaw felling and rigging are encouraged to apply.

Crew Life:  

SECC Members with SECC serve on a crew model variation of 4-6 other Crew Members and 2 Crew Leaders who provide project expertise, mentorship, training, and support for the success of all participants. Food is provided while in the field. Together, crew members collaborate 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.  When living on site, members will camp, travel, complete service projects, and eat as a crew. No drug or alcohol consumption is allowed during service-related travel at any time. 

SECC supports a culture of feedback and growth. Crew Members will set goals at the beginning of the season and review their performance through both self-evaluation and a review with their Crew Leader in the middle and at the end of their season. 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.

Hitch Schedule:   

This position will operate on a variable “hitch” schedule, but 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.     

Expectations of an SECC Corpsmember:  

Expect to spend long days in a front country 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.