The Trail Conference Conservation Corps (TCCC) provides great opportunities for outdoor lovers to become leaders in environmental conservation. Spend your summer outdoors protecting natural resources, gaining valuable experience in the field, and making a difference in conservation.
Members of the TCCC trail program will serve on crews of four to eight, building and renovating primitive trails alongside dynamic community volunteers. Projects typically entail intensive labor and site modification (soil excavation, quarrying and moving large rocks) to produce quality trails that minimize long-term environmental impact while providing safe and enjoyable access to the recreating public. Thousands of hikers enjoy the trails our TCCC members have built and restored.
Service Activities
• Building and maintaining high quality hiking and multi-use trails and trail structures, including tread excavation, native stone staircase and wall construction, and bridges
• Periodically assume crew leadership responsibilities, including project and crew management, paperwork and safety compliance, and volunteer outreach
• Training, teaching, overseeing, and motivating volunteers during episodic workdays and workshops to ensure quality trail work while improving the Trail Conference’s volunteer skill capacity
• Filling out and submitting weekly timesheets, project accomplishments, and volunteer paperwork
• Documenting project accomplishments and contributing to final reports
• Members may not engage in any Prohibited Activities as outlined in the AmeriCorps Member Service Agreement
Preferred Skills and Attributes:
• Outdoor work/volunteering experience, especially on trails
• Experience working with and teaching volunteer individuals and groups
• Leadership experience, especially of small teams from diverse backgrounds
• Familiarity with using photos and social media to promote social causes
• Comfort with data tracking and entry
Community Need Addressed
The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference is a volunteer-powered nonprofit organization caring for public parks and trails.
When park agencies don’t have the resources for vital needs such as trail maintenance, habitat restoration, and visitor education, the Trail Conference jumps into action.
Position Outcomes
We work to preserve the integrity of trails and natural areas and inspire a deeper appreciation for the care that these special places require.
Our passion is helping people enjoy the benefits of being outdoors because we believe everyone should have the opportunity to connect with nature. Our beloved hiking trails are more than just outdoor entertainment, they provide the necessary link between the public and habitat protection, offering essential opportunities to protect plant and animal species. Members of the trail program will serve on crews of four to eight, building and renovating primitive trails alongside dynamic community volunteers. Projects typically entail intensive labor and site modification (soil excavation, quarrying and moving large rocks) to produce quality trails that minimize long-term environmental impact while providing safe and enjoyable access to the recreating public. Thousands of hikers enjoy the trails our members have built and restored.
Benefits
Education award upon successful completion of service, Housing, Living allowance, Student loan forbearance, Training
• Build/maintain long lasting trails in beautiful locations
• Gain trailbuilding skills and experience including griphoist rigging, dry masonry and trail structures, rock drilling and splitting, tread and drainage, and design and layout
• Training in Wilderness First Aid/CPR/AED and Leave No Trace Principles
• Training and experience in teaching and working with volunteers, public outreach, and teamwork
• Valuable leadership opportunities
• Valuable professional development and networking opportunities
• Opportunity to serve local communities and the public by making a difference in the environment and improving habitats in a tangible way
• Eligible for SNAP (food stamp) benefits
• Bi-weekly pre-tax living allowance; $8,000 total
• Upon successful completion of the program, an education award of $3,097.50
• Become a member of the dynamic AmeriCorps community
• Free, as needed, rustic cabin housing at a local park on a first-come first-served basis; a short drive to transit to access NYC and surrounding areas
• Opportunity for qualified student loan deferment and interest repayment
Skills you will gain
Wilderness Firs Aid, Cpr, AED, Resume writing, Interview Techniques, Project Management
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Lead group discussion, Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, Maintain open lines of communication with others, Speak clearly, in precise language and in a logical, organized and coherent manner
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem, Capable of generating possible solutions, Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel, Improvise, Provide relevant expertise, Select and implement well-considered solution
Teamwork
Derive consensus, Develop constructive working relationships and maintain them over time, Establish a high degree of trust and credibility with others, Interact professionally and respectfully with supervisors and co-workers, Stay positive and outcome oriented, Use appropriate strategies and solutions for dealing with conflicts and differences to maintain a smooth workflow
Decisions
Accepts responsibility, Anticipate the consequences of decisions, Identify and prioritize the key issues involved to facilitate the decision making process, Involve people appropriately in decisions that may impact them, Quickly respond with a back-up plan if a decision goes amiss
Tools
Carefully consider which tools or technological solutions are appropriate for a given job, Consistently choose the best tool or technological solution for the problem at hand, Operate tools and equipment in accordance with established operating procedures, safety standards, and ethical guidelines, Seek opportunities to improve knowledge of tools and technologies that may assist in streamlining work and improving productivity
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks, Create environment of contribution, Create plan of action, schedule tasks so that work is completed on time, Demonstrate the effective allocation of time and resources efficiently, Drive decision making, Effectively delegate tasks, Facilitate group planning, Set goals
Service
Honor the privilege of being able to work with and for those being served, Understand and anticipate the needs of others, Understand the importance of one's role in the functioning of the organization, Understand the significance of maintaining a healthful and safe environment