Crew Leader
Position: Crew Leader
Position Type: AmeriCorps/Seasonal
Location: Programs located in and around Eugene/Springfield, Portland/Hillsboro, West Linn/Sandy, Ashland/Jacksonville, Philomath/Corvallis, Klamath Falls, Coos Bay, Roseburg, and Salem/Keizer.
Compensation: Crew Leaders receive a living allowance of $1,210 per month along with earning a $2,775 AmeriCorps tuition award upon the successful completion of the program.
Dates: Program begins April 19th with a six to seven week leadership development training. Staff will then spend the summer leading youth crews for two sessions of five weeks each in their specified communities. Finally, crewleaders will lead teams of youth supporting Cycle Oregon for three weeks. The final wrap up day being September 16th.
Application Process: Select OutDoor Oregon on our online application, or send cover letter, résumé, and four references to Attn: OutDoor Oregon Program NYC, 2621 Augusta Street, Eugene, OR 97403.
Application Deadline: Open until filled
Helping Youth Achieve Success
NYC Crewleaders understand that being a leader is much more than being a boss. They are hard workers, patient, innovative, creative, and find satisfaction helping others achieve success. They understand the value of learning by doing and find the prospect of guiding a team of teenage youth through a five week outdoor experience their kind of fun. They have the commitment, mental toughness, and drive to carry them through the unexpected challenges that always arise at the most inopportune times. The people who choose to lead an NYC youth crew are passionate about the outdoors. They are experienced outdoor adventurers and workers who understand natural communities and have an awareness of society’s impact on the natural communities they treasure. Most important, they have a driving desire to share their wealth of knowledge and experience with the next generation.
"NYC threw me into the deep-end of a community of gifted youth-development titans. The bar is set so high in the program that while some days seem arduously impossible, miraculous outcomes are commonplace. My life after NYC has been cursed by an incapability to accept mediocrity in any aspect of my life, the manifestation of a ludicrous integrity NYC plants in everyone."
-Matt Springer, NYC Crew Leader
NYC crews work outdoors, completing a wide variety of conservation and recreation projects on public and private lands. Crewleaders teach an experiential-based environmental and life skills education curriculum. Crewleaders may also organize and lead recreation trips when work project duties have been met.
Duties and Responsibilities
Staff Training: Program training will be will involve camping and work on actual field projects over a six to seven week period. Training includes:
- NYC philosophy and organization
- Safety orientation
- Basic trail maintenance and construction
- Invasive species removal
- Crew management
- Conservation techniques
- Judgment
- Minimum impact camping
- Handling media interviews
- Behavior management
- Working with youth on medications
- Driver training (15-passenger vans and mini-buses)
- Chainsaw operation and maintenance
- Tool use and maintenance
Safety: Staff oversee the physical and emotional safety of program participants at all times. Safety is the number one priority in everything we do, including work, education, and recreation.
Work Project Supervision: Crewleaders are responsible for safely completing conservation projects to high standards by training, working with, and supervising crews of ten teenage youth 30-40 hours/week. They will serve as the principal liaison with project sponsors and members of the local community. Staff’s principal role, however, will be to manage their crew of youths. In the field, they will provide direction to their crew with specific attention to safe work practices, proper tools use, work quality, and productivity. Staff are mentors, role models and team leaders. At day’s end, staff debrief their crew and help them realize the importance and value of hard work. Staff set the pace and tone of the project site, and are the hardest workers. This position is physically, emotionally, and mentally demanding. Crewleaders and staff will lift heavy loads, walk long distances, and should expect to find each project physically challenging.
Education: Staff implement daily education lessons based on NYC’s education curriculum (SEED), which incorporates environmental education, life skills development, nutrition and health, and job readiness. Staff track corpsmember participation and progress throughout the program. Staff are encouraged to bring their own skills and experiences to the education curriculum and use natural surroundings for teachable moments.
Leadership: Staff manage, supervise, and participate in all aspects of crew work from hauling rocks to stacking brush. They work cooperatively with other staff to delegate responsibilities to crew members, maintain crew discipline, resolve conflicts, and establish/maintain crew morale. Staff provide formal and informal feedback to corps members with specific attention to work productivity and quality, teamwork, and leadership. Staff receive feedback on their performance and are challenged to develop their own leadership skills within this program.
Residence and Weekends: Staff can expect to be out of town for the training and the Cycle Oregon portions of the program. However, unlike many of our projects, the summer program is non-residential and staff can expect to be home evenings and weekends.
Community Relations: As one of the more visible members of NYC, you will serve as the principle liaison with our project partners and within the community you are working.
Requirements:
- At least 21 years old
- One year college education in related field, or one year field experience, preferably working with youth in a field setting
- Clean driving record for at least the last two years (Drivers License Background Check required)
- Previous leadership or supervisory experience
- Experience in the outdoors
- Excellent physical condition and ability to lift 70 lbs
- Current First Aid and CPR certification
- Positive mental attitude and commitment to helping youth achieve success
- Strong organizational skills
- Excellent judgment and risk management skills
- Ability to listen, give and take feedback, and learn constantly
- Desire to go the extra mile to make a positive impact on youth and the environment.
To apply: Select OutDoor Oregon on our online application. Cover letter, résumé, and references must be attached in order for your application to be considered complete.
NYC is an Equal Opportunity Employer
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