Position Type: A field-based residential (camping) position.

Location: Based in Spokane, WA

Salary: $115 per day ($2/day bonus for leaders with a WFR/EMT/WEMT certification)

Benefits: Paid leadership training, professional trainings, and certifications available including WFA

Program Dates: June 17th to September 6th, 2019

Application Process:  Email Resume and Cover letter to Kait Lemon – kaitl@idahocc.org

Organization Overview

Idaho Conservation Corps (ICC) is part of Northwest Youth Corps (NYC), a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering youth and young adults to become successful, resilient members of their communities. To achieve this, NYC provides a variety of outdoor, conservation-specific programs to youth and young adults throughout the Northwest emphasizing education, leadership, and personal growth.

Since 1984, NYC and its resource management partners have provided opportunities to over 19,000 youth and young adults to learn, grow, and experience success. NYC’s programs serve over 800 youth and young adults annually, with programs operating in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and California.

Position Description

Seasonal Stewardship Program (SSP) Leaders manage and supervise conservation crews of three to six young adults, ages 19-26, over the course of a three-month field season. Leaders and AmeriCorps participants will work 4 days on, followed by 3 days off.  Additionally, Leaders will facilitate lessons using our outdoor education curriculum. Throughout the program Leaders are relied upon to ensure safety, encourage group cohesion, and facilitate a positive dynamic. Should an emergency arise at an inconvenient time, Leaders are the first to respond. As such, the position requires a great deal of responsibility, motivation, and flexibility. Overall, crew leaders are well-balanced individuals who work hard and embody compassion, patience, and an inspirational attitude.

This position allows Leaders to deliver a meaningful educational experience to young people in their communities and will provide an entry-point into the fields of fisheries and natural resource management.

Training

Leaders earn a $25/day stipend for attending a required seven to ten day training that prepares them for a successful season. The training simulates a typical hitch and takes place at a project site, with transportation provided. Training includes:

• ICC philosophy and organization
• Safety procedures
• Basic trail maintenance and construction
• Crew management
• Conservation techniques
• Judgment and decision-making
• Minimum impact camping
• Backcountry camping and travel
• Behavior management
• Working with participant medications
• Driver training
• Tool use and maintenance
• Anaphylaxis training
• Chainsaw training

Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership & Mentorship

Leaders manage, supervise, and participate in all aspects of crew life. They work independently to delegate responsibilities to crew members, maintain crew discipline, resolve conflicts, and establish/maintain crew morale. Time spent in ICC’s program can be demanding physically, mentally, and emotionally, and the crew leader’s role in helping the crew navigate inevitable challenges with maturity and good judgment is crucial. Crew leaders are mentors and role models and set the pace and tone of the program, at the job site and at camp. Leaders provide formal and informal feedback to corps members with specific attention to work productivity and quality, teamwork, and leadership. Crew leaders receive feedback on their performance and are challenged to develop their own leadership skills within this program.

Safety & Risk Management

Leaders 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 camp life. This includes not only the physical safety but mental and emotional safety as well. Leaders will be responsible for safely transporting the crew and equipment to and from the worksite in ICC’s fleet vehicles.

Project Management & Implementation

Leaders are responsible for safely completing projects to high standards by training, working with, and supervising crews of three young adults. In the field, they lead by example and provide direction to their crew with specific attention to safe work practices, proper tool use, work quality, and productivity. In addition to mental and emotional challenges, leaders perform sustained physically rigorous work, including lifting heavy loads and hiking long distances, and should expect to find each project physically challenging.

Education

Leaders implement weekly lessons based on ICC’s education curriculum (SEED), which incorporates environmental education, life skills development, leadership, and job readiness. Crew leaders are encouraged to bring their own skills and experiences to the education curriculum and use natural surroundings for teachable moments.

Required Qualifications

• Previous fisheries experience
• At least 21 years old
• Current Wilderness First Aid or higher and CPR certification
• Current Driver’s License
• Clean driving record for the past three years (Driver’s License Background Check required)
• Excellent organization and time management skills
• Ability to lift and/or move up to 70 pounds and backpack 10 miles
• Willingness and ability to frequently drive an ICC vehicle
• Good judgment and decision-making skills
• Sense of humor, flexibility, spirit of adventure, and desire to make a positive difference in the lives of others and the environment
• Experience/desire in working with diverse populations
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job

Preferred Qualifications

• A High School diploma AND 4 years of combined education/experience as a natural resources technician or a closely related field that has provided the applicant the experience to perform this position; OR
• An Associates of Arts degree AND 2 years experience as a natural resources technician; OR
• A Bachelors of Science degree in fisheries, wildlife, natural resources science, or aquatic sciences
• Must possess excellent verbal communication skills and be able to communicate effectively with biologists, department managers, employees, and Tribal members. Must have strong collaborative and diplomatic skills.
• Must have basic knowledge of standard field methods and data collection techniques relating to fisheries work including species identification, their habitats and life histories, scientific terminology and techniques, habitat assessment, computer programs (Access, Excel, and Word) and organizing data.
• Must have knowledge of habitat restoration and enhancement techniques and safe use of hand tools, chain saws, portable winches, and comfortably work with and around heavy equipment