Assistant Crew Leader- Summer Youth Camping (Lake Wenatchee, WA)

POSITION: AmeriCorps Assistant Leader (WA), Youth Camping Crews; Summer 2025; seasonal

LOCATION(s): Lake Wenatchee, WA; camping across Washington for the entire summer.

BENEFITS: $7,250 living allowance; $1,956.35 AmeriCorps Education Award; camping, food, and training provided.

PROGRAM DATES:

Leader Training: June 6 - June 18th, 2025
Session 1: June 21 - July 26th, 2025
Session 2: August 1 - August 30, 2025

Depending on interest and performance, there are opportunities to lead fall young adult crews.

TO APPLY: Submit an application online (https://nwyouthcorps.workbrightats.com) under "Apply Now", with a resume and short questionnaire; expect a confirmation email when your application is received. For questions, contact Laura Woodhouse, Program Coordinator, lauraw@nwyouthcorps.org

Northwest Youth Corps is hiring assistant leaders for the summer to lead youth crews, camp in remote mountains and high deserts, and work on conservation projects.

Assistant crew leaders lead, manage, and support conservation crews of youth ages 16-18 along with their crew leader. Crews include approximately 8 youth members and 2 leaders. Youth members come from across the country to camp, work, and learn together restoring wild places.

As a leader, you will be responsible for ensuring the physical and emotional welfare of your crew. You'll work together on hands-on, conservation-oriented projects on federal, state, and private lands, and facilitate short daily lessons with our accredited outdoor education curriculum.

This is hard work. You'll wake up early on frosty mornings to get your crew started and will camp in tents for two 5-week programs in succession with occasional days off. Projects are physically challenging; you'll train your crew to safely use hand tools to build trails, cut down invasive plants, and restore natural areas. The youth you work with will challenge you to be the best leader you can be, and you'll watch them grow as a team during the summer of a lifetime.

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 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 OVERVIEW:

• Connect people with nature
• Impact the lives of youth
• Teach job-skills and education lessons
• Accomplish meaningful service projects

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Roving Between Crews - The AmeriCorps Co-leads have a unique component to their term of service. Historically, there has been value on youth crews to "mix things up" and have these leaders switch which crew they are working with either midsession or between summer sessions. There are many reasons this decision can be made. It allows leads to work with a variety of leadership styles, it can add a fresh personality to a crew, and expertise held by this co-lead can be utilized for a specific project, etc. While it is possible that you will serve with the same crew throughout the session, it is important to understand that switching leads out is a possibility. While some find it challenging to swap, past experience has shown it to be a very useful tool in enhancing experiences for members, developing leadership skills, and in meeting project goals. Flexibility is part of this job and moving between crews is one of the key ways it manifests.

Leadership and Mentorship - Assistant leaders help supervise all aspects of the crew and the work project. They 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. Field Leaders receive feedback on their performance from NYC staff and are challenged to develop their own leadership skills within this program. This experience allows assistant leaders to gain additional skills and mentorship from more experienced leaders while contributing their own leadership, management and educational experience to young people. The position can provide an entry-point into the fields of natural resource management, youth development, and outdoor education.

Safety and Risk Management - Leaders are directly responsible for 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 and frequently drive long distances in NYC fleet vehicles.

Project Management & Implementation - Leaders are responsible for completing conservation projects to high standards by training, working with, and supervising crews' teenage participants. In the field, leaders 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.

HOURS:

Though schedules can vary, most crews will conduct project work Monday through Friday throughout their experience. On Saturday and Sunday, crews will stay together to conduct resupply, shower, do laundry and participate in recreational activities (e.g., a hike). Assistant Field Leaders must complete a minimum of 450 hours of service, averaging over 50 hours a week - including work, training, education, and travel time - a 30-minute lunch and at least two breaks each day. This 30-minute lunch break, along with activities such as setting up camp, meal prep, cleaning and crew down time, does not count toward AmeriCorps member service hours.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least 21 years old
• Current Wilderness First Aid (or higher) and CPR certification, or willingness to obtain prior to employment start date. Wilderness First Aid certifications must include an in-person component
• Current Driver's License
• Must pass criminal background check and have clean driving record for the past three years
• Recreational/ professional outdoor experience, accustomed to living for periods of time without modern conveniences
• Prior experience working with youth/teens
• Willingness and ability to frequently drive an NYC vehicle
• Excellent organization and time management skills
• Ability to lift and/or move up to 70 pounds
• Ability to work collaboratively and thrive in a team setting
• Strong communication skills
• Good judgment and decision-making skills
• 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

ROLE INFORMATION:

This is an AmeriCorps member level position, NOT a staff member, and AmeriCorps members need to abide by the below restrictions:

• AmeriCorps members may NOT sign/approve official documents such as AmeriCorps paperwork, member timecards, performance evaluations, disciplinary contracts, project contracts or any similar documents.
• AmeriCorps members may NOT be directly involved in project acquisition or contracting.
• AmeriCorps members 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.

TO APPLY:

Apply online at https://nwyouthcorps.workbrightats.com/pages/fieldstaffleader/. Additional program information can be found at www.nwyouthcorps.org.

Northwest Youth Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Our core purpose is to provide opportunities for youth and young adults to learn, grow, and experience success. We strive to create an empowering environment for participants from a wide range of backgrounds and abilities. We are deeply invested in the success of youth and young adults of all races, ethnicities, gender identities, religions, sexual orientations, economic statuses, or other socio-cultural identifiers.

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.