CCNC Staff Youth Crew Leader- Camping Crew 2024

Title: Youth Camping Staff Crew Leader   
Location: Uwharrie National Forest, NC 
Season Dates: June 5th- August 3rd, 2024
Starting Salary: $685-785/ Week, Paid Bi-Weekly    
Status: Seasonal 
Contact: Jackie Meyer, Youth Program Coordinator jmeyer@conservationlegacy.org  
Priority Application Date: March 25th
To be considered, a resume MUST be attached to the application. Submitting a cover letter is optional. 

 CCNC recognizes that diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility are huge components within our shared mission to create “a Legacy of healthy lands, air and water; thriving people and resilient communities.” We are committed to having an engaged staff, service, and board members who are diverse representatives of our country. We commit with intention to drive, inspire, and respond to the unique needs of the communities we serve. We are constantly shaping an organizational culture that will be equitable, inclusive, and accessible in all facets of the staff and member experience. We are committed to hiring a breadth of diverse professionals and encourage members of all backgrounds to apply for this position. 

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, knowing for many this will be the youth’s 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 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 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 Forest Service. The Crew Leader will lead two sessions of youth crews. Each session will be for three weeks and made up of 6 youth. There is a week break between each session. 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 expected to do the grocery shopping for the crew for the entire program. There will be plenty of storage space for frozen, perishable, and dry food. If the Crew Lead wishes, they may bring their personal vehicle to the project site, but they cannot 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 to complete to ensure the group camping area's safety and sanitation. 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 three-day virtual training, followed by a week-long training based out of Durham, NC- at Camp Slocum. The leaders will receive training on group dynamics, discipline, conflict management, program policies and rules, working with partners, mandatory reporting, etc. This training will be held at Camp Slocum, and lodging will be available.    

Overview of Summer schedule:   

June 5-7th: Virtual Training   

June 10-14th: Training at Camp Slocum (Durham, NC)   

June 17th- July 5th: Raleigh Crew   

July 8th-12th: Week Break  
July 15th- August 2nd: Resume work at Dix Park  

August 3rd: De-rig Day with all Youth Leaders at Camp Slocum 

  
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. Demonstrates and supports a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion. Must be willing to follow and enforce all CCNC policies, maintain professional boundaries, and appropriately represent Conservation Corps North Carolina.  

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.