LOCATION(s): Crews travel throughout the Pacific Northwest – based out of Eugene (OR) and or Lake Wenatchee (WA) COMPENSATION: $250 for successful completion of a 10-12 day staff training. Compensation is $102 per day or $104 per day with WFR or WEMT thereafter

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: While overseeing crews, leaders are typically provided an unpaid day off every other weekend

PROGRAM DATES: OR 5/29/20 – 8/29/20 WA 5/29/20 – 8/31/20

ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND Since 1984, Northwest Youth Corps (NYC), a non-profit organization, has given tens of thousands of youth and young adults opportunities to learn, grow, and experience success. Through partnerships with conservation agencies, youth and young adults gain the personal and professional skills needed to carry out a variety of stewardship projects, from which they can earn a stipend, high school credit, and/or an AmeriCorps educational award. More importantly, these young people gain skills needed to become economically and socially self-sufficient, benefit their communities as citizen stewards, and recognize that they can make a positive difference. NYC also operates an accredited charter school, internship program, and the Idaho Conservation Corps (ICC).

Northwest Youth Corps LGBTQ+ Crew is a pilot program that has been developed in partnership with OUT There Adventures (OTA) to cultivate leadership and build community for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults through adventures in nature. Through this partnership, crews will work with the National Park Service to provide opportunities for youth and young adults who identify with the LGBTQ+ Community the opportunity to learn, grow, and experience success.

Position Description: Youth Corps Camping Crew Leaders co-lead, manage, and supervise conservation crews of nine youth, ages 16-19, over the course of the summer. The summer season is broken down into two (2) four or five week sessions, so leaders oversee two separate groups over their term of employment. While on session, Crew Leaders will be responsible for completing a variety of hands-on, conservation-oriented projects on public and private lands, and facilitating daily lessons using our accredited outdoor education curriculum. Crew leaders are well-balanced individuals who work hard and embody compassion, patience, and an inspirational attitude.

While leading the LGBTQ+ crew, crew leaders will be responsible for creating a safer space for their members to balance the nuances and intersectionality between personal identity and work. Leaders should be prepared to manage youth coming from a variety of backgrounds and expect to navigate challenging conversations on a regular basis. Crew leaders should expect organizational support during their endeavors that may include activities led by an outside facilitator and weekly check-ins by field supervisors.

This seasonal position not only allows Crew Leaders to deliver an impactful educational experience to young people, but can also provide an entry-point into the fields of natural resource management, youth development, and outdoor education.
LGBTQ+ Crew Leader Youth Corps Camping

Leader Training/Professional Development All Youth Corps Camping Field Leaders will be provided a 10-12-day comprehensive training which may cover the following topics:

• USDA Chainsaw operation and maintenance
• NYC Leadership Philosophy
• Basic Trail maintenance and Construction
• Crew Management and Motivation
• Conservation Education
• Risk Management and Safety Procedures
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
• Behavior Management
• Time Management
• Driver Training
• Anaphylaxis Training
• Tool Use and Maintenance

Duties and Responsibilities:

Leadership and Mentorship – Leaders manage, supervise, and participate in all aspects of crew work from hauling rocks to stacking brush. They work cooperatively with their co-leader to delegate responsibilities to crew members, maintain crew discipline, resolve conflicts, and establish/maintain crew morale. 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 and Risk Management – 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. This includes not only the physical safety of participants but their mental and emotional safety as well. Leaders will be responsible for transporting the crew and equipment, to and from the worksite daily, safely in NYC’s fleet vehicles.

Project Management & Implementation – Leaders are responsible for safely completing conservation projects to high standards by training, working with, and supervising crews of nine-ten teenage youth 30-40 hours/week. They will serve as the principal liaison with project sponsors and members of the local community. The Leaders’ principal role, however, will be to manage and motivate their crew of youth. In the field, they will provide direction to their crew with specific attention to safe work practices, proper tool use, work quality, and productivity. Leaders are mentors and role models and set the pace and tone of the project site. This position is physically, emotionally, and mentally demanding. Leaders will lift heavy loads, walk long distances, and should expect to find each project physically challenging.

Education – Leaders implement daily lessons based on NYC’s education curriculum (SEED), which incorporates environmental education, life skills development, nutrition and health, and job readiness. Field leaders track corps member participation and progress throughout the program. Field leaders are encouraged to bring their own skills and experiences to the education curriculum and use natural surroundings for teachable moments.

Required Qualifications:

• At least 21 years old
• Current Wilderness First Aid or higher and CPR certification (individuals with a WFR are eligible for an additional $2/day)
• Current Driver’s License and clean driving record for the past three years (Driver’s License Background Check required)
• Recreational/ professional outdoor experience, accustomed to living for periods of time without modern conveniences
• Excellent organization and time management skills
• Ability to lift and/or move up to 70 pounds
• Willingness and ability to frequently drive an NYC vehicle
• Ability to work collaboratively and promote teamwork
• Strong communication skills
• Good judgment and decision making skills
• Sense of humor, 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