LOCATION(s):

Tacoma and one week per season in Mount Rainier National Park for a camping work week

COMPENSATION: Field Leaders receive a living allowance of $4,430 prorated over their term of service, in addition to a $1,612 AmeriCorps Education Award upon the successful completion of the program.

TRAINING: 6/5/20 – 6/12/20 Leader Training will start and end at NYC Headquarters in Eugene, OR

PROGRAM DATES: Summer season – 6/22/20-8/28/20

Crews are based out of a specific city. Housing available for Hebo position ONLY upon request.

Organization Overview:

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).

Position Description:

Youth Corps Community (YCC) Field Leaders co-lead, manage, and supervise conservation crews of eight youth, ages 14-19, over the course of the summer. The summer season is broken down into two five-week sessions so leaders will oversee two separate groups over their term of service. Crews work M-F and meet each morning at a central location in their community. While on session, Field 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. Field leaders are well-balanced individuals who work hard and embody compassion, patience, and an inspirational attitude.

The Sound to Summit program has 1 week per session, two weeks total during the summer, where the crew will travel from their local community to Mount Rainier National Park for a camping work week. Crew Leaders will take their crew to learn how to camp in a group setting, participate in educational interpretive programming with National Park staff, and perform work projects in undeveloped or primitive settings.

This seasonal position not only allows crew leaders to deliver an impactful educational experience to young people in their communities, but can also provide an entry-point into the fields of natural resource management, youth development, and outdoor education.

Role Clarification: This is an AmeriCorps Corpsmember level position, NOT a staff member. While serving in this AmeriCorps volunteer position, corpsmembers need to abide by the below restrictions:

• Corpsmembers may NOT sign/approve official documents such as AmeriCorps paperwork, member timecards, performance evaluations, disciplinary contracts, project contracts or any similar documents.
• Corpsmembers may NOT be directly involved in project acquisition or contracting.
• Corpsmembers may NOT discipline other AmeriCorps members. While they may provide guidance, facilitate crew meetings, motivate, reward and uphold safety policies on the service site, all policy violations and disciplinary action must be directed to and handled by Staff.

Staff Training/Professional Development:

All Youth Corps Community Field Leaders will be provided an 8-day comprehensive training which may cover:

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

Duties and Responsibilities:

Leadership and Mentorship – Field 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 – Field 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 recreation. This includes not only the physical safety of participants but their mental and emotional safety as well. Field 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 – Field Leaders are responsible for safely completing conservation projects to high standards by training, working with, and supervising crews of eight teenage youth 30-40 hours/week. They will serve as the principal liaison with project sponsors and members of the local community. The Field 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. Field Leaders are mentors and role models and set the pace and tone of the project site. This position is physically, emotionally, and mentally demanding. Field Leaders will lift heavy loads, walk long distances, and should expect to find each project physically challenging.

Education – Field 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:

• Current Wilderness First Aid or higher and CPR certification
• Current Driver’s License and clean driving record for past three years (Driving and Background Check required)
• Recreational/ professional outdoor experience
• Excellent organization and time management skills
• Ability to lift and/or move up to 50 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

In accordance with 45CFR 2520.65, AmeriCorps members may not perform prohibited service activities directly or indirectly by recruiting, training, or managing others for the primary purpose of engaging in the activities. Prohibited service activities are outlined in the Service Agreement and AmeriCorps member manual.