CCNC Youth Camping Crew Leader

Title: Youth Camping Crew Leader   
Location: Uwharrie National Forest, NC  
Season Dates: June 5th- July 28th, 2023 
Starting Salary: $715-785/ Week, Paid Bi-Weekly     
Status: Seasonal  
Contact: jmeyer@conservationlegacy.org  
To Apply: To be considered, a resume must be attached to the application. Submitting a cover letter is optional. 

Conservation Corps North Carolina:    

The mission of the Conservation Corps North Carolina (CCNC) is to empower young adults through meaningful outdoor work that benefits North Carolina’s land and water and creates healthy communities.   

CCNC is a program of Conservation Legacy that partners with public land managers in North Carolina to engage young adults, ages 15-30, to complete challenging and impactful conservation service projects throughout the state.  

Position Overview: 
 

CCNC’s Youth Crew Leaders lead, manage, and supervise conservation crews of youth, ages 15-18. Crews consist of up to 6 members, an assistant crew leader, and one crew lead. The Assistant Crew Leader is an AmeriCorps leadership position focusing on the continued development of leadership skills. While this will be a collaborative relationship, the Staff Crew Leader bears ultimate responsibility for member development, as well as high quality and high quantity project accomplishments for our partners.   

 
During their time in the field, CCNC youth crews work outdoors in all types of weather conditions, performing heavy manual labor related to environmental conservation and restoration projects. These hands-on projects include visitor access improvements, trail construction and maintenance, habitat restoration, invasive species treatments, and much more. 
 
The Crew Leader position requires an understanding they will be working with youth participants, knowing for many this will be their first job. This includes the ability to work constructively with a crew of inexperienced workers and introduce new tasks to be performed while simultaneously applying motivational techniques to keep crew working and completing projects. CCNC’s goal is to support the youth participants who come through the program and lead them through an experience that is challenging, fun, and positive. Communication is critical, and we are constantly working to ensure the youth members feel safe and leave happy as future stewards. Not only will the Crew Leader communicate with their crew, but they will also have direct contact with partners in charge of work and CCNC staff. 

 
 
Project Work: 
 

This position is the result of a partnership between CCNC and the U.S. Forest Service. The Crew Leader will lead two sessions of youth crews. Each session will be three weeks long. The crew composition will be one Staff Crew Leader, one Assistant Crew Leader, and 4-6 youth participants. The crew will work in the Uwharrie National Forest and complete field-based manual labor, which can include trail maintenance and construction, habitat restoration, sign installation, and park improvement projects. 

This is a residential camping program, meaning the Crew Lead will camp with the crew at a group campsite in the Uwharrie. Both Crew Leaders are expected to always be with the crew, including weekends. A van will be provided to transport the crew, both during work and after hours. The crew lead will be given a grocery budget and will be expected to do the grocery shopping for the crew for the entirety of the program. There will be plenty of storage space for frozen, perishable, and dry food. If the Crew Lead wishes, they may be allowed to bring their personal vehicle to the project site, however they cannot not be used during either session, only during the week off between sessions. 

 
Crews will complete conservation service projects in the field 8 hours a day, Monday-Friday, and return to the campsite each evening. The Lead will coordinate with the crew to establish a chore chart. Between arriving back at the campsite and eating dinner, each crew member will have chores they have to complete to ensure the safety and sanitation of the group camping area. The crew will have free time after dinner. The crew will have Saturday and Sunday off; however, they must remain together as a group.  Crew Leads are encouraged to have their own personal gear and equipment (tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, etc) though it is not required. Loaned equipment is available for the season. 
 

Prior to the start of the YCC programs, there will be a week-long training based out of Durham, NC. The leaders will receive training on group dynamics, discipline, conflict management, program policies and rules, working with partners, etc. This training will be held at Camp Slocum, and lodging will be available. 
 
Overview of Summer schedule:  

June 5-9th: Training at Camp Slocum (Durham, NC) 

June 12th- June 30th: First Session YCC Crew 

July 3rd-7th: Off week between sessions 

July 10th-28th: Second session YCC Crew  

  
Duties and Responsibilities: 

Leadership & Mentorship- Manage, supervise, and lead the day-to-day details of project work. Facilitate intentional discussions to contribute to the crew’s personal growth and group dynamics. Promote individual corps member development and a healthy, supportive community. Mentor AmeriCorps Crew Leader while delegating project responsibilities, crew life oversight, and member development to them. Must be willing to follow and enforce all CCNC policies, maintain professional boundaries, and appropriately represent Conservation Corps North Carolina. Set and maintain clear expectations for work attendance, appearance, language, and behavior among both crew leaders and youth. 

Project Management & Implementation- Train and motivate a crew of six to eight youth to complete conservation projects efficiently on public lands. Delegate project work & investment among ACL and crew. Manage on-the-ground quality and quantity of project work. Think critically to resolve issues and solve problems. Communicate effectively & coordinate logistics with project partners, ACL, members, and CCNC staff.    

Safety & Risk Management- Monitor, manage, and promote the crew’s physical and emotional safety on and off the work site. Exhibit strong situational awareness & promote a culture of safety. Transport crew and equipment safely in CCNC’s vans or large vehicles with trailers.    

Administration- Complete documentation of time sheets, daily and weekly reports, corps member and peer evaluations, disciplinary action forms, incident reports, etc., and submit in a timely and highly detailed manner. Responsible for all project related outcomes and deliverables. Manage credit card purchases, including VISA receipt reconciliation. 

Essential Responsibilities and Qualifications:   

Participant Essential Eligibility Requirements:    

Essential eligibility requirements for the program must be met. If you are unable to meet certain requirements, we may be able to assist you with some modification unless it alters the fundamental nature of the program, compromises the health and safety of participants or staff, or places an undue financial or administrative burden on the organization.   

• Frequently required to walk, hike, sit and talk or listen.    
• Required to use hands to operate objects, tools, or controls, and to reach with hands and arms.    
• Regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.    
• Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision and the ability to focus.    
• Required to drive a CCNC vehicle. 
• Must be able to speak, understand, read, and write English. 

 
Minimum Qualifications:    

• Leadership experience with youth.    
• Must be able to demonstrate strong project management skills.    
• Technical trail construction and maintenance experience.    
• Experience with backpacking, wilderness living and travel.    
• Must hold current Wilderness First Responder Certification with CPR/ AED.    
• Must be 21, have a clean driving record (insurable by CCNC) and a current driver’s license.    
• Ability to pass Conservation Legacy’s criminal history checks.   

Preferred Qualifications:    

• 1-year experience with CCNC or another Conservation Corps.    
• Background with experiential and/ or environmental education.     
• Facilitation and team-building experience with diverse groups of people.     
• Strong conflict resolution skills.   

 
Substance Free:    

• In accordance with a drug free workplace, alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in AmeriCorps and program activities and while on organization property.    

Conservation Legacy provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.   

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.   

  To Apply: 
To be considered, a resume must be attached to the application. Submitting a cover letter is optional.