CCNC Staff Youth Crew Leader- Durham and Old Fort 2024

Title: Youth Staff Crew Leader 
Location: Durham, NC and Old Fort, NC      

Date: June 5^th- August 3^rd, 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 motivated 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 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 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 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, Urban Community Agronomics (UCAN), and the US Forest Service. The crew leader will lead two, three week long sessions of youth crews. The first session take place in Durham, NC, working with UCAN. There will be a week-long break between two sessions. When work resumes, the leaders will transition to working in Old Fort, NC. The Old Fort crew will be working with the Forest Service completing trail work. Each session will be made up of 6 youth and complete field-based manual labor which can include trail maintenance and construction, habitat restoration, sign installation, and park improvement projects.  
 

Crews work 8 hours a day, Monday – Friday, and return home each evening. Leaders will need to bring a daypack/backpack with rain gear, plenty of drinking water, snacks, and lunch each day. The crew will have Saturday and Sunday off. CCNC is an independent, non-residential program, meaning Staff Crew Leads are responsible for their own housing, food, and transportation while working in Durham. Housing will be provided for all their time in Old Fort, but they will be responsible for their food and transportation.  

Prior to the start of the YCC programs, there will be a three-day virtual training, followed be 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 5-7^th: Virtual Training   

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

June 17^th- July 5^th: Durham Crew   

July 8^th-12^th: Week Break  
July 15^th- August 2nd: Old Fort Crew

August 3^rd: 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.    

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 an 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.  

·        Basic trail construction and maintenance experience. 

·        Strong conflict resolution skills.   

·        Current basic first aid/CPR or ability to attain certificate prior to start date.    

·        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. 

·        High School diploma or GED certificate.   

• Have housing in Raleigh/Durham area or live in a reasonable commuting distance.

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.     

 
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 strives to create a diverse workplace and an inclusive culture to give more people the chance to experience the outdoors and improve our shared outdoor spaces. Conservation Legacy encourages applicants from all backgrounds to apply for this position. We are deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Conservation Legacy is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic. 

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