Crew Leader

Position Type: Field-based, seasonal, full-time, exempt
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Camping crew, Chainsaw Crews – seven counties along southern Front Range.
Day Crew – Colorado Springs area
Compensation: $450 - $540 weekly salary, depending on experience and qualifications. Food while camping, uniforms, training, and some travel opportunities.

Season Dates: May 11th thru mid August or late October. Dates subject to change based on available work.
Reports To: Field Supervisor

Overview:
Mile High Youth Corps-Colorado Springs (MHYC-CS) is a regional, non-profit, AmeriCorps (www.americorps.gov) affiliated organization operating in Colorado Springs that provides employment, education and leadership opportunities for young adults ages 18-24. The goal of MHYC-CS is to improve life-skills, work readiness, employment prospects, and economic independence for youth, while also teaching them respect for natural resources and the outdoors. Our Corp Members work on conservation and environmental stewardship projects, such as fencing, noxious weed mitigation, park development, rehabilitation of sensitive riparian areas, and trail building and maintenance, on public lands in both urban and rural areas.

Position Description:
The MHYC-CS Crew Leader positions require individuals who are skilled problem-solvers, experienced leaders and positive role models. A crew is comprised of seven - ten Corpsmembers (18-24 years old) all working together to complete conservation work projects on public lands and in communities. Crew leaders manage a demanding work and living schedule and will be responsible for creating a valuable experience for the Corpsmembers. Leaders will be responsible for facilitating environmental education, life skills, transferable work skills, and safe, positive group living skills to their crew. Leaders must possess a strong work ethic, promote high quality work performance in their crew, and have a desire to devote themselves to field-based work and youth development for an entire summer. All positions require both supervisory and technical aptitude, in addition to a high level of comfort in the outdoors.

Crew Leader Duties and Responsibilities:
• Manage, supervise, and participate in day-to-day details of crew life in camp and at work site.
• Monitor, manage, and promote crew’s physical and emotional safety on and off the work site.
• Train and motivate a crew of 8-11 young adults to efficiently complete conservation
projects on public lands.
• Coordinate closely with the project sponsors and the Field Supervisor in order to accomplish the scope and quality of work to the sponsor’s satisfaction.

• Work as a team with Crew Mentors and others to implement training curriculum with Corpsmembers at work projects and in evenings.
• Complete professional documentation of time sheets, daily and weekly reports, project accomplishments and other required documentation.
• Conduct Corpsmember evaluations, report incidents and corrective actions formally and in a timely manner.
• Manage petty cash, gas cards and food budget for crew.
• Transport crew safely in MHYC-CS vehicles.
• Promote individual Corpsmember development and a healthy crew community.
• Fully participate in environmental education, leadership development, civic engagement, healthy lifestyles, career development, and service learning opportunities.
• Adhere to all safety rules and regulations.
• Adhere to the rules and regulations specified in the MHYC Employee and Corpsmember Handbooks.
• Implement Leave No Trace techniques on camp and project sites.

General Qualifications:
• High School diploma or GED required. Bachelor’s Degree preferred.
• Must be a minimum of 21 years old and eligible to work in the United States.
• Familiarity with the safe use of basic hand tools. Conservation, construction or
landscaping experience preferred.
• Experience with youth development, environmental education, youth employment and training, or facilitation of life skills activities. Familiarity with the youth corps model preferred.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Physically fit, able to work long days in adverse conditions.
• Ability to adhere to the MHYC-CS policy which prohibits smoking and other tobacco use in MHYC-CS facilities, vehicles or project sites.
• Current First Aid and CPR certifications preferred.
• Knowledge of Leave No Trace camping techniques.
• Ability to implement MHYC-CS policies and procedures regarding disciplinary, performance, and safety requirements.
• Leadership experience with diverse young adults and a demonstrated ability to build a team.
• Desire to make a difference in the lives of Corpsmembers and communities.
• Must have reliable transportation.
• Possess a good driving record and current driver’s license.
• Pre-employment background check and drug screen will be required. May implement drug testing throughout employment.

Specific Program Qualifications

Camping and Day Conservation Crews
 Experience with trail construction and maintenance, fencing, planting, rock work, light construction preferred
 Proficiency in backpacking and camping at altitude required for Camp Crew, preferred for Day Crew, preferably with leadership experience
 Wilderness First Responder or higher preferred
 Chainsaw experience preferred
 Previous Corps experience preferred

Wildfire Prevention/Sawyer Crew
 Wilderness First Responder or higher preferred
 S212 or MTDC certification required, other certifications with experience considered. Extensive chainsaw experience required including felling, thinning, bucking and limbing in varied settings.
 High level of proficiency in backpacking and camping at altitude required, preferably with leadership experience
 Previous Corps experience preferred
 Eradication of noxious weeds and herbicide application experience preferred

Essential Functions:
This is physically demanding work! While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, sit and talk or listen. The employee is required to use hands to operate tools or controls, and to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to focus. The employee is frequently required to drive vehicle, and must be able to speak, understand, read and write English. The employee may be required to camp up to 2 weeks at a time.

Apply Today!!

Email your resume to Sylvia at: sylvias@mhyc.net
Mile High Youth Corps—Colorado Springs
1506 N. Hancock Avenue
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Questions? Call 719-630-7421—ask for Sylvia
Website: www.milehighyouthcorps.org

Only mature, dedicated young people of integrity, strong in spirit and body need apply.