Crewleaders/Assistant Crewleaders

   

Northwest Youth Corps

posted: Nov 23, 2009 and closes: Feb 04, 2011

Description and Details

Position: Crewleader and Assistant Crewleader
Position Type: Seasonal
Location: Programs located in Benton, Clackamas, Jackson, Josephine, Lane, Marion, Multnomah, and Washington counties.
Compensation Crewleaders start at $85/day, Assistant Crewleaders start at $73/day with the option of earning $1250 AmeriCorps tuition award. ($2/day bonus for WFR/EMT/WEMT). An initial ten day training period will provide a stipend, paid LDP training is recommended. .
Dates: Program begins in mid April and ends on May 28th, with possibility of continuation based on funding and performance. Mandatory staff training will be held prior to start date and additionally recommended LDP Training (see below) to run for six weeks beginning in February.
Application Process: Apply online at: http://www.northwestyouthcorps.org/applic.asp?id=139 and select OutDoor Oregon, or send cover letter, résumé, and four references, send to Attn: OutDoor Oregon Program NYC, 621 Augusta Street, Eugene, OR 97403
Application Deadline: Open until filled

Helping Youth Achieve Success
NYC Crewleaders understand that being a leader is much more than being a boss. They are hard workers, patient, innovative, creative, and find satisfaction helping others achieve success. They understand the value of learning by doing and find the prospect of guiding a team of teenage youth through a five week outdoor experience their kind of fun. They have the commitment, mental toughness, and drive to carry them through the unexpected challenges that always arise at the most inopportune times. The people who choose to lead an NYC youth crew are passionate about the outdoors. They are experienced outdoor adventurers and workers who understand natural communities and have an awareness of society’s impact on the natural communities they treasure. Most important, they have a driving desire to share their wealth of knowledge and experience with the next generation.

“NYC threw me into the deep-end of a community of gifted youth-development titans. The bar is set so high in the program that while some days seem arduously impossible, miraculous outcomes are commonplace. My life after NYC has been cursed by an incapability to accept mediocrity in any aspect of my life, the manifestation of a ludicrous integrity NYC plants in everyone.” —Matt Springer, NYC Crewleader

NYC crews work outdoors, often in remote and wild settings, completing a wide variety of conservation, and recreation projects on public and private lands. Crewleaders teach an experiential-based environmental and life skills education curriculum. Crewleaders may also organize and lead recreation trips when work project duties have been met.

Duties and Responsibilities

Staff Training: Program training will be held in Eugene and involve camping and work on actual field projects. The training will last 10 days and staff will earn a $250 stipend. Training will count toward AmeriCorps tuition awards and includes:

• NYC philosophy and organization
• Safety orientation
  
• Basic trail maintenance and construction
• Crew management
• Conservation techniques
• Judgment
• Minimum impact camping
• Backcountry camping and travel (in applicable programs)
• Behavior management
• Working with youth on medications
• Driver training (15-passenger vans and mini-buses)
• Chainsaw operation and maintenance
• Tool use and maintenance
• Anaphylaxis training (with Oregon State Epi-pen certification)

Additional Training: Preference will be given to individuals willing to undertake the paid six week Leadership Development Program (http://www.nwyouthcorps.org/leadershipdevprogram.html) for which participants will earn a $1,250 stipend for successfully completing the program, plus a $1,000 AmeriCorps education award.

Safety: Staff oversee the physical and emotional safety of program participants at all times. Safety is the number one priority in everything we do, including work, education, and recreation.

Work Project Supervision: Crewleaders are responsible for safely completing conservation projects to high standards by training, working with, and supervising crews of ten teenage youth 30-40 hours/week. They will serve as the principal liaison with project sponsors and members of the local community. Staff’s principal role, however, will be to manage their crew of youths. They will be expected to interview and hire potential corpsmembers. In the field, they will provide direction to their crew with specific attention to safe work practices, proper tools use, work quality, and productivity. Projects are often located in remote settings. Staff are mentors, role models and team leaders. At day’s end, staff debrief their crew and help them realize the importance and value of hard work. Staff set the pace and tone of the project site, and are the hardest workers. This position is physically, emotionally, and mentally demanding. Crewleaders and staff will lift heavy loads, walk long distances, and should expect to find each project physically challenging.

Education: Staff implement daily education lessons based on NYC’s education curriculum (SEED), which incorporates environmental education, life skills development, backcountry living, and job readiness. Staff track corpsmember participation and progress throughout the program. Staff are encouraged to bring their own skills and experiences to the education curriculum and use natural surroundings for teachable moments.

Leadership: Staff manage, supervise, and participate in all aspects of crew life from hauling rocks to stacking brush. They work cooperatively with other staff to delegate responsibilities to crew members, maintain crew discipline, resolve conflicts, and establish/maintain crew morale. Staff provide formal and informal feedback to corps members with specific attention to work productivity and quality, teamwork, and leadership. Staff receive feedback on their performance and are challenged to develop their own leadership skills within this program.

Residence and Weekends: Unlike many of our projects, this program is primarily non-residential and for the most part staff can expect to be home evenings and weekends. There will, however, be one week or residential camping each session, where the crew leaders will be expected to live with and look after the youths in a camping environment.

Community Relations: As one of the more visible members of the NYC, you will occasionally serve as a liaison with our project partners and within the community you are working.

Requirements:

• At least 20 years old
• One year college education in related field, or one year field experience, preferably working with youth in a field setting
• Clean driving record for at least the last two years (Drivers License Background Check required)
• Previous leadership or supervisory experience
• Experience in the outdoors,
• Excellent physical condition and ability to lift 70 lbs
• Current WFA and CPR certification, WFR/EMT desired
• Positive mental attitude and commitment to helping youth achieve success
• Strong organizational skills
• Excellent judgment and risk management skills
• Ability to listen, give and take feedback, and learn constantly
• Desire to go the extra mile to make a positive impact on youth and the environment.

NYC is an Equal Opportunity Employer


Location

Multiple Locations: Oregon

Application Info

Apply on-line at : http://www.northwestyouthcorps.org/applic.asp?id=139 Or submit resume, cover and four references to address below

TO APPLY:
http://www.northwestyouthcorps.org/applic.asp?id=139
or Submit resume, cover letter and four references to:
Northwest Youth Corps, 2621 Augusta Street, Eugene, OR 97403



nyc@nwyouthcorps.org

Salary & Benefits

Crewleaders start at $85/day, Assistant Crewleaders start at $73/day with the option of earning $1250 AmeriCorps tuition award. ($2/day bonus for WFR/EMT/WEMT). An initial ten day training period will provide a stipend, paid LDP training is recommended.