Advanced Forest Crew Leader

Conservation: Advanced Forest Crew Leader

Location: Richmond, Vermont

Dates: May 21, 2025 – October 31, 2025

Weekly compensation: $780-$825

Age requirement: 21

Who We Are

VYCC’s Conservation Program engages young people in hands-on projects that benefit

Vermont’s environment and communities. Conservation Crew Leaders are essential to

the success of any Conservation Crew and their efforts have a significant impact on

habitat, water quality, and outdoor recreation in Vermont.

With a 40-year history in the state, VYCC crews have completed thousands of

conservation projects. Corps Members work and learn together in a collaborative crew

environment where they gain skills, build community and have a positive impact on the

land. Projects range from trail building to infrastructure improvement at State Parks,

sustainable forestry to invasive plant management and more. In every case, Corps

Members receive paid training and support from VYCC staff. The experience is

immersive and physically demanding. With that challenge also comes tremendous

personal reward. For young people passionate about climate resiliency, joining VYCC is

a great opportunity to steward the environment while also developing valuable

leadership skills.

Who We’re Looking For

A successful Conservation Crew Leader is someone who strives to support their crew,

faces challenges with a positive attitude, and works toward personal and professional

growth. We look for hard-working individuals who will demonstrate their passion for

environmental stewardship and public service through a commitment to VYCC’s

mission. They will bring experience or interest in developing skills in teaching,

mentoring, or group facilitation.

Advanced Forests Crew Leaders work with their crews to complete forestry projects,
including, but not limited to crop tree release, early successional habitat, hazardous tree
removal, and invasive species control.

What You Can Expect

Each week starts at VYCC Campus in Richmond, VT. Leaders arrive early on Monday

morning to prepare to leave with their crew by 7:30AM and drive to the project site.

Leaders are required to camp in the field with their crew throughout the week. Crews

come back to headquarters every Friday to unpack, clean gear, and have the weekends

off. Project schedules are varied, and Crew Leaders might operate on several different

schedules throughout the field season. For weekend time, access to a personal vehicle is

strongly encouraged for off-time transportation. Richmond, VT is a rural community

without public transit.

Throughout the week, Leaders are responsible to ensure that camp life runs smoothly,
camp chores are done, administrative responsibilities are finished, and projects are
completed to a high standard of quality while working and living with their crew the
whole time. This typically takes an average of 45-55 hours per week of scheduled tasks,
with potential for additional time depending on level of organization or crew needs.

A successful Crew Leader fosters an inclusive and supportive crew community, helps
Crew Members navigate challenges and celebrate successes, and provides opportunities
for personal and professional growth while staying organized and managing their time
effectively. Creating and maintaining a healthy crew culture is a top priority for Crew
Leaders.

What We’ll Expect from You

Supervision, Culture, Leadership

• Follow and uphold VYCC Principles, Practices, and Policies
• Create an inclusive crew culture that prioritizes physical and emotional safety

• Supervise Crew Members: conduct check-ins and feedback meetings that help

• Instruct and support Crew Members on topics including proper tool use and

• Engage with VYCC staff on setting personal goals and charting personal and

• Effectively work with your co-leader to balance tasks and responsibilities

• Play a lead role in risk assessment and safety management in the field

• Help provide emergency response and communication during emergencies

• Complete administrative and reporting tasks

• Manage field logistics (vehicle maintenance checks, tool maintenance, camp set-

Project Management

• Facilitate daily framing and debrief sessions with your crew

• Uphold a high standard of quality and efficiency on the project site while also

• Effectively communicate with VYCC staff and project partner to ensure

Required Qualifications
• At least 21 years of age

• Some prior experience in forestry or in a related natural resource field. Examples

of prior experience include but are not limited to:

o Safely and efficiently operate a chainsaw to accomplish felling, bucking,

limbing, and brushing

o Perform basic field maintenance of chainsaws

o An understanding of silvicultural practices

o Ability to identify or learn to identify trees and plants of the northeast

o Experience operating a brush cutter

o Experience utilizing pesticides to perform invasive species control

• Perform strenuous physical work safely in all weather conditions and motivate

others to do the same

• Ability to hike in steep or uneven terrain, lift and carry heavy tools, gear or

materials

• Valid driver’s license with good driving record for at least 3 years

• Eagerness for extensive camping with limited accommodations and support

• Excellent time management, organizational, and communication skills

• Experience in risk assessment and being responsible for the health and safety of

others

• Experience in providing and receiving feedback, and creating a culture of

learning and growth

• Be a U.S. citizen, a national, or legal permanent resident non-citizen of the U.S.
• Have not been convicted of murder or sexual assault and be willing to undergo a

National Service Criminal History Check and a VT Agency of Human Services
check. Crew Leaders will be working with vulnerable populations.

• Be a high school graduate or have a GED certificate, or be willing to work

• Valid driver’s license with good driving record for at least three years (preferred)
  

Compensation & Benefits

• Weekly stipend: $780-825, dependent on experience

• Food/housing: Camping is required Monday-Friday, food is provided when in

the field (Monday evening-Friday afternoon)

• Wilderness First Aid and CPR Certification (if needed)

• Bonus paid upon completion of position

• Organizational dedication to on-going professional development

• Career pathways support through VYCC’s Community Engagement Manager

and program staff

• Paid time off: combination of flexible sick days and personal leave days with

longer positions also having scheduled break time

• Potential to earn up to 12 free college credits
  

Equal Opportunity at VYCC
Are you concerned that you don’t meet all the requirements of this position? Please
apply anyway. VYCC is dedicated to building an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and
accessible work environment that fosters a sense of belonging – so if you’re excited
about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with everything in this job
description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate
for this role or another one of our openings!