Community protection

POSITION : Community Wildfire Protection Corps (CWPC) Strike (Camping) Crew Leader

LOCATION : Starting from Eugene, OR and camping across Oregon for the duration of the session.

COMPENSATION :

• $125* daily (or $130* for returning NYC Crew Leads) plus three meals / day and camping access.
• New Crew Supervisors also receive 13 training days at $100 / day (before taxes are taken out)
• 2024 Daily pay rates listed. Daily pay rates subject to change in 2025.

PROGRAM DATES :

• Crew Lead Training starts 2 / 3 / 2025 and ends 2 / 16 / 2025 (training rate)
• Position starts 2 / 17 / 2025 and ends 5 / 2 / 25 (work rate)
• Program Dates : 2 / 3 / 2025-5 / 2 / 2025

BENEFITS OVERVIEW :

Paid Crew Lead Training may cover the following topics and more :

• NYC Leadership Philosophy
• OHSA Courses
• USDA Chainsaw Operation and Maintenance at an " A " certification level
• Brush Cutter Operation
• Power Pole Saw Operation
• Wood Chipper Operation
• Driver and Trailer Use
• Tool Use and Maintenance
• Defensible Space Inspection Training
• Work Site Analysis
• Crew Management and Motivation
• Conservation Education
• Risk Management and Safety Procedures
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
• Behavior Management
• Time Management
• Anaphylaxis training
• S-190

Gear and Safety Equipment provided : 2 field work shirts, eye protection, ear protection, hard hat, and sawyer chaps .

ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND :

Since 1984, Northwest Youth Corps (NYC), a non-profit organization, has given tens of thousands of youths 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 education 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 SUMMARY :

CWPC Crew Leaders (CLs) manage and supervise crews of up to 5 young adults, ages 19-26. Crew work schedule will typically be Monday through Friday;

however, schedules may vary for certain trainings. While in session, CLs will be responsible for completing a variety of fuel reduction projects with a majority of the work being done on private lands for homeowners within 100 feet of their home .

Saw work does not include felling of large trees and consists of non-complex, A-level sawyer scope. CWPC crews do not actively put out fires / dig fire lines and they are not prescription burn crews.

Leads will help with implementing a safe and efficient crew experience, including facilitation and communication of work, communicating crew meal and break times, facilitation of educational curriculum.

CLs are individuals with high work ethic and integrity who embody compassion, patience, and inspirational attitude. In many ways, CLs teach our crew members how to navigate the crew work and social environment with grace and positivity.

CLs deliver an impactful, educational experience to young people in their communities. This position can also provide an entry-point into the fields of natural resource management, youth development, outdoor education and more.

CLs assist in creating resilient communities in the face of Wildfire.

POSITION DETAILS :

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Support

• Promote continued organization support of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives.
• Seek to remove barriers to participation in NYC programs for underrepresented populations.
• Represent and promote Northwest Youth Corps commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in planning and decision making.

Department Supervision and collaborations

• This position is directly supervised by a CWPC Woodsboss and Program Coordinator.
• This position directly supervises CWPC Crew Members.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership and Mentorship :

CLs manage, supervise, and participate in all aspects of crew work from hauling rocks to stacking brush and much more.

CLs maintains crew discipline, resolves conflicts, and establishes / maintains crew morale.

• CLs provide formal and informal feedback to crew members with specific attention to safety, work productivity and quality, efficiency, teamwork, and leadership.
• CLs work to empower crew members to build the skills necessary to lead the crews themselves.
• CLs receive feedback on their performance and are challenged to develop their leadership skills within this program.

Safety and Risk Management :

• Provide support, assessments and training to ensure everything is being completed in a safe, professional, and productive manner.
• Ensure that all staff and members are actively following NYC safety and risk management protocols; respond to field incidents and emergencies as necessary.
• Oversee the physical and emotional safety of crew members. Safety is the number one priority in everything we do, including work, education, and recreation.

CLs may be responsible for transporting the crew and equipment to and from the worksite daily, safely in a Northwest Youth Corps fleet vehicle.

Project Management and Implementation :

CLs are responsible for safely completing conservation projects to high standards by training, working with and supervising crews.

Developing skills in effectively delegating responsibilities to make your crew as efficient as possible is a major key to successful leadership in our programs.

• CLs serve as the principal liaison with project partners and members of the local community. In the field, they will provide direction to their crew with specific attention to safe work practices, proper tool use, work quality, and productivity.
• CLs are mentors and role models and set the pace and tone of the project site. This position can be physically, emotionally, and mentally demanding.
• CLs will lift heavy loads, walk long distances, and should expect to find each project physically challenging.

Education Curriculum :

• CLs implement daily lessons based on Northwest Youth Corps' education curriculum (SEED), which incorporates environmental education, life skills development, nutrition and health, and job readiness credentials.
• CLs track participant's progress throughout the program.
• CLs are encouraged to bring their own positive skills and experiences to the education curriculum and use natural surroundings for teachable moments.

Position Qualifications and Certifications

• At least 21 years old.
• Must have a valid driver's license and three years of driver history.
• Be able to arrive on time to the pre-designated meeting point during all training and workdays.
• Desire to learn and grow.
• Positive mental attitude, flexibility and commitment to success.
• Excellent judgment.
• Ability to listen, give and take feedback.
• Desire to go the extra mile to make a positive impact on oneself, others and the environment.
• Current First Aid / CPR certification. Or ability to obtain certification before their participation.

Education :

• Education in a related field and / or experience in outdoor recreation, environmental education, youth development or educational fields preferred.
• Experience in conservation work and / or youth programming will be considered in place of education.

Experience :

• Recreational / professional outdoor experience.
• Excellent organization and time management skills.
• 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.

Certification(s) / License(s) :

• Current Driver's License and acceptable driving record for the past three years (Driver's License Background Check required).
• Current Wilderness First Aid / CPR certification required before session start date. Current Wilderness First Responder (or WFR) strongly preferred.

Applicants must obtain certification before their employment.

Physical Demands / Work Environment

Applicants must be in good physical condition; capable of working on strenuous, labor-intensive projects as training and work projects often require heavy lifting, constant bending, digging, and long hikes to and from the worksite, be on foot for 8-10 hours per day, and possibly be exposed to natural hazards such as poison oak and insects.

The applicant must frequently lift and / or move up to 50 pounds (with or without reasonable accommodation).

• The noise level in the environment is quiet to loud, PPE is provided and required.
• Applicants must be comfortable working in austere outdoor environments which include but are not limited to working in weather conditions that include rain, wind, snow, wet, cold, dry, and hot conditions in varied temperatures.
• Applicants must be able and willing to drive a Northwest Youth Corps vehicle to certain work locations that can be remote and may not have access to the internet, phone, or immediate emergency services.
• Applicants must be comfortable switching from field and administrative responsibilities often within the workday.
• Applicants are required to stand; walk; use hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or vehicles; reach with hands and arms;

sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk, hear; and smell repeatedly with or without reasonable accommodation.

Applicants must be prepared to spend a majority of the time with the crew as the crews are expected to remain together weekends / non-working hours.

This Position Description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the applicant.

Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

• This is a full time, session-based position. CL will be camping (frontcountry, not backcountry) with the crew 24 / 7 for the duration of the session.
• Typical work hours are Monday - Friday, 8 : 00AM to 4 : 30 PM, but can vary due to weather, IFPL levels, and training needs.

There will be other required camp chores, etc. before and after these work hours (including on Saturdays & Sundays).

• This is an immersive position camping with your crew and time away from the crew is not usually possible for Crew Members (if it was, it would require advance coordination).
• CS may receive a day off every 2-3 weeks.
• Crew receives a 30-minute lunch and at least two breaks each day. This 30-minute lunch break does not count toward work hours.
• This job offer is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background check.

Northwest Youth Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer - At Northwest Youth Corps, we believe diversity is an essential source of strength for our communities, and we strive to create a safe and empowering environment for all participants and staff from the widest range of backgrounds and abilities.

While we are privileged to facilitate conservation service on our public lands, with humility, we also acknowledge that injustice and violence was at the heart of acquiring these lands.

Therefore, we are deeply invested in addressing this traumatic legacy by supporting youth and young adults of all races, ethnicities, gender identities, religions, sexual orientations, economic status, and / or other socio-cultural identifiers to learn, grow, and experience success in our programs, and beyond.

Last updated : 2024-11-24

Salary : $100