CCC is Hiring!

Want to join our Carolina Climbers Conservation Corps (C4) team? We are hiring! Please see the details about the position below, and thank you to the National Forests of North Carolina and National Forest Foundation for helping make this possible. 

 Job Description

The Carolina Climbers Coalition (CCC) has run the Carolina Climbing Conservation Corp (C4) program since 2020 with a mission to build and maintain needed climbing infrastructure throughout the Carolinas. We are now looking to add to our C4 Team with seasonal C4 Trail Crew positions, working on the improving the resiliency of our climbing areas. The ideal candidate is skilled and experienced working on trails, but also an experienced climber in the Carolinas. The job is mostly field-based, working throughout our Western North Carolina climbing areas with a heavy focus on Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests. As a CCC employee, the C4 Trail Crew member will be working on projects that help care for our climbing resources. CCC is a community supported nonprofit organization founded in 1995 dedicated to protecting, preserving, and expanding climbing opportunities in the Carolinas and beyond. This mission guides everything we do at the CCC, including our C4 program.

Requirements:

● A personal desire to serve the climbing community, public access, and recreational use needs.

● A passion for climbing access and sustainability of public access

• A strong desire to work on sustainable trail maintenance, using hand tools, PPE, construction tools, and safety equipment.

● Strong communication skills with volunteers, the public, and staff. Represents the organization well publicly

● Holds a valid driver’s license, has a reliable vehicle, reliable email and cellphone, and can drive 1-2 hours to work sites 2-3 days per week, with mileage compensated after the first 50 miles of driving. There will be frequent carpools from the Asheville area. CCC uses G Suite for many communications. Some experience with G Suite preferred. 

● Able to work independently and with a crew, following safety protocols and proper tool use. 

● Takes pride in trail stewardship and accomplishing meaningful work in the forest.

● Wilderness First Aid (WFA), Wilderness First Responder (WFR), or similar first aid certification (or willingness to get certified).

● Chainsaw certification (bucking, limbing, or felling) or willingness to train and become certified. Some saw experience preferred.  Experience working with rock including staircase building, crib walls, and retaining walls preferred. 

• Some work locations may require camping or overnight stays, depending on the candidate’s home location’s proximity to projects. The ideal candidate will have scheduling flexibility. 

Preferred, but not required: 

● Extended experience climbing in the Carolinas with previous experience working with the CCC or related Local Climbing Orgs 

• Bolt replacement skills 

● Carpentry skills, grip hoist, high line and rock rigging skills

● Associates or Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resources, Education, Biology, Soil Science, Geology, Hydrology, Outdoor Recreation, or related field, or willingness to gain knowledge.

Duties and Responsibilities

● Build and maintain trails leading to climbing access areas

● Work cooperatively and respectfully with volunteers, coworkers, and supervisors.

● Identify trail maintenance issues and recommend solutions.

● Assist the C4 staff with volunteer trail days and ongoing projects. Take direction from C4 leaders and CCC administrators. 

● Handle maintenance and building tasks that aren’t suitable for volunteers.

● Support CCC events when needed.

● Maintain and repair CCC tools and equipment.

Physical Demands

● Routinely lifts, pushes, pulls, or carries items up to 50 pounds, and several hours of digging or other physical work. 

• Ability to conduct physical work in challenging weather conditions. 

● Walk multiple miles over uneven, rugged terrain.

Work Environment

The primary role of this C4 position includes trail building and trail maintenance. The position will be field-based. The work sites are primarily in Western North Carolina, including but not limited to Linville Gorge, Ghost Town, Looking Glass, and Nantahala National Forests. Our worksites are remote, in the forest, and require up to 2 miles of travel on uneven surfaces, often up steep and loose terrain. Temperatures and weather varies greatly, and C4 members should be physically prepared to work in extreme temperatures. This person will need to be able to carry a backpack with food, at least 4 liters of water, tools, personal first aid, and personal protective equipment. Most work locations are within a 2 hour circle from Asheville.  Most carpooling and tool storage occurs from the Asheville area. 

Hours/ Week: This position will average 20-24 hours per week. This is a 6 month position with potential for extended contracts. A typical work week is 3 days per week in the field. The weekly schedule is made in coordination with C4 leaders. Since most work sights are a far drive and hike, a 10 hour work day is common. 

Wages: Hourly pay range: $20–$24, commensurate with experience and certifications.

To Apply: Email a one page cover letter and one page resume to  info@carolinaclimbers.org. In your cover letter, please discuss the following; related experience, connection to climbing in the Carolinas, your ability to perform physical work tasks as mentioned in the job descriptions, your current life/ work arrangement, or other relevant information about yourself. 

Applications Due: Sept 24