Are you interested in getting paid to gain experience and build community in conservation, habitat restoration, trail projects, and disaster relief in the Hot Springs, AR area with opportunities to camp across Arkansas?

Arkansas Conservation Corps (ARCC) participants engage in hands-on conservation projects on public lands, coastal regions, National Parks and recreational areas across the Central Southern United States. The Conservation Corps of American YouthWorks (AYW) experience builds leadership skills, connection with community, and prepares young people with skills needed to enter the workforce with a strong work ethic and sense of service!

Conservation and Disaster Response Teams: These crews are focused on conservation projects throughout Arkansas landscapes and beyond. Crew Leaders and Members complete habitat restoration and trail projects with a variety of partners, from the National Park Service to local County Parks. Though most of the season will consist of conservation projects, these crews remain on-call and able to deploy should a flood, fire, hurricane, or other disasters occur. ARCC is both a state and federal resource during disasters, and leaders receive training in spontaneous volunteer management, donations management, and the Incident Command System.

This is a full-time seasonal term-based AmeriCorps position working outdoors that specifically focuses on gaining experience in disaster mitigation, habitat restoration, trail projects, and disaster relief. The Arkansas Conservation Corps is a Program of American YouthWorks.

APPLICATIONS DUE: ASAP! Priority due date is by January 9, 2026 before 11:59PM CST

COMPENSATION (Monthly Living Allowance):

• Crew Leaders: $2,720 per month ($1,360 biweekly)
• Crew Members: $2,400 per month ($1,200 biweekly)

AMERICORPS TERM LENGTHS

Crew Leaders: February 2026 – June 2026
Crew Members: February 2026 – June 2026

BENEFITS

• Monthly Living Allowance (Stipend)
• $2,400/month for Crew Members
• $2,720/month for Crew Leaders
• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award: money for qualified student loans, higher education and training programs.
• CPR & Wilderness Advanced First Aid Certification
• Technical & fundamental skills training

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Frequently required to walk and hike over long distances while carrying tools
• Ability to operate tools
• Heavy lifting, bending, and carrying up to 35-50* pounds (*depending on crew type)
• Walking and working on steep or uneven terrain
• Ability to work long days in adverse weather conditions
• Depending on crew type, ability to hitch, camp, and travel throughout the duration of an entire AmeriCorps term

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or GED
• US Citizenship or lawful permanent US Resident
• Ability to pass a National Service Criminal History Check (NSCHC)
• Additional experience and qualifications for Crew Leaders
• 1) Clean 3-year Driving Record
• 2) Up to 3-5 months of previous conservation experience (ex: chainsaws, habitat restoration, invasive species removal, trail work)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be located in Hot Springs, AR
• Able to work independently and with a crew while having a safety mindset
• Strong commitment to completing an entire term of service with a desire to serve the community and the environment
• Adaptability and flexibility with project tasks during service hours
• Desire to learn, grow and challenge yourself

Additional Preferred Experience and Qualifications for Crew Leaders

• Willingness to engage in hard conversations and mediate conflict
• Desire to explore your leaderships style and develop leadership skills
• Good problem solving and logistical skills
• Collaborative Leadership and Facilitation skills
• Prior Conservation Corps and/or AmeriCorps experience with successful completion of term