Based in Austin, TX - Trails Across Texas Crew Members serve as the state parks dedicated trail crew. They work a 10 days on and 4 days off schedule: leaving on a Monday and arriving at a park, and heading back to headquarters the following Wednesday. Texas Conservation Corps provides the crew with dedicated van and trailer, food budget, tools, and all of the supplies to be successful during their project.
Service Activities
Texas Conservation Corps Trails Across Texas Crew members will perform trail-building and maintenance projects in Texas State Parks. Service projects may include building and maintaining trails, constructing stone walls, steps, decks and rail fences, extensive chainsaw work, as well as planting trees or cleaning up creeks.
Members will be trained in using tools such as chainsaws, picks, pruning saws, loppers and rock bars. Members will be expected to participate in extended front-country and back-country service trips to State Parks across Texas.
Community Need Addressed
Our Trails Across Texas (TAT) crew acts as Texas Parks and Wildlife Division's (TPWD) State Park Trail Crew. They work with Texas Parks & Wildlife Staff to address accessibility, erosion, and trail maintenance needs in Texas State Parks.
Position Outcomes
We create new trails in state parks, as well as improve the accessibility, safety, and sustainability of existing trails.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Stipend, Student loan forbearance, Training
CPR/AED Certification
Wilderness First Aid Certifciation
FEMA Certifications
Chainsaw training
Soft Skill training
Hard Skill training
Education Benefits
CPR/AED
Wilderness First Aid
Skills you will gain
Chainsaw, Trail Maintenance, Trail Construction, Teamwork, Leadership, Habitat Restoration
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, 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, Turn taking, Write cleary and effectively
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, Set goals
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, Evaluate customer or client satisfaction, Honor the privilege of being able to work with and for those being served, Provide personalized, prompt, and efficient service to meet the requirements, requests and needs of customers, Recognize the importance of maintaining privacy and confidentiality of 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