POSITION: Conservation Crew Leader; Youth Crews -Summer 2026;

POSITION OVERVIEW

Youth crew leaders will lead, manage, and support conservation crews of youth ages 16-18 along with a fellow co-crew leader. Crews include approximately 8 youth members and 2 leaders. Youth members come from across the country to camp, work, and learn together restoring wild places.

As a co-leader, you will be responsible for ensuring the physical and emotional welfare of your crew. You'll work together on hands-on, conservation-oriented projects on federal, state, and private lands, and facilitate short daily lessons with our accredited outdoor education curriculum.

This is hard work. You'll wake up early on frosty mornings to get your crew started and will camp in tents for two 5-week programs in succession, with occasional days off. Projects are physically challenging; you'll train your crew to safely use hand tools to build trails, cut down invasive plants, and restore natural areas in remote mountains and high deserts. The youth you work with will challenge you to be the best leader you can be, and you'll watch them grow as a team during the summer of a lifetime.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leadership and Mentorship- Co-leaders help supervise all aspects of the crew and the work project. They delegate responsibilities to crew members, maintain crew discipline, resolve conflicts, and establish/maintain crew morale. Co-leaders provide formal and informal feedback to corps members with specific attention to work productivity and quality, teamwork, and leadership. Co-leaders receive feedback on their performance from NYC staff and are challenged to develop their own leadership skills within this program. The position can provide an entry point into the fields of natural resource management, youth development, and outdoor education.

Safety and Risk Management – Co-leaders are directly responsible for 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.

Project Management & Implementation – Co-leaders are responsible for completing conservation projects to high standards by training, working with, and supervising crews' teenage participants. In the field, leaders will provide direction to their crew with specific attention to safe work practices, proper tool use, work quality, and productivity. Co-leaders are mentors and role models and set the pace and tone of the project site. This position is physically, emotionally, and mentally demanding. Co-leaders will lift heavy loads and walk long distances, and should expect each project to be physically challenging.

Education – Co-leaders implement daily lessons based on NYC's education curriculum (SEED), which incorporates environmental education, life skills development, nutrition and health, and job readiness. Co-leaders track corps member participation and progress throughout the program. Co-leaders are encouraged to bring their own skills and experiences to the education curriculum and use natural surroundings for teachable moments.

Roving Between Crews - AmeriCorps Co-leads may be asked to switch which crew they are working with, either mid-session or between sessions. This allows co-leads to work with a variety of leadership styles, adds a fresh personality to a crew, and allows the expertise of this co-lead to be utilized for specific projects. While you may serve with the same crew throughout the session, it is important to understand that switching co-leads is possible. Flexibility is part of this position, and moving between crews is one of the key ways it manifests.

SCHEDULE:

Though schedules can vary, most crews will conduct project work Monday through Friday throughout their session. On Saturday and Sunday, crews will stay together to conduct resupply, shower, do laundry, and participate in recreational activities (e.g., visiting a museum, going on a hike). Co-Leaders must complete a minimum of 675 hours of service, averaging over 50 hours a week - including work, training, education, and travel time - a 30-minute lunch, and at least two breaks each day. This 30-minute lunch break, along with activities such as setting up camp, meal prep, cleaning, and crew downtime, does not count toward AmeriCorps member service hours.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least 20 years old

• Current Wilderness First Aid (or higher) and CPR certification, or willingness to obtain prior to employment start date. Wilderness First Aid certifications must include an in-person component

• Current Driver's License and willingness and ability to frequently drive an NYC vehicle, transporting the crew and equipment

• Must pass a criminal background check and have an acceptable driving record for the past three years

• Recreational/professional outdoor experience, accustomed to living for periods of time without modern conveniences

• Prior experience working with youth/teens

• Experience/desire in working with populations of wide backgrounds

• Excellent organization, time management, punctuality, judgment, and communication skills

• Ability to work collaboratively and thrive in a team setting

• Spirit of adventure and desire to make a positive difference in the lives of others and the environment

• Support the continued growth and delivery of Inclusion and Belonging initiatives and seek to remove barriers to participation in NYC programs for underrepresented populations

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Physical Condition: Applicants in good physical condition, capable of working long hours on strenuous, labor-intensive projects are preferred as NYC's work projects often require heavy lifting, constant bending, digging, and long hikes to and from the worksite.

• Work Environment: temperature, noise level, inside or outside, or other factors that will affect the person's working conditions while performing the job. This position will work outdoors in all types of weather conditions and environments, including but not limited to high elevations, remote areas, cold, rain, snow, heat, humidity, wind, etc.

• The noise level in the environment is quiet to loud. PPE is provided when necessary, and use is required.

• In the performance of the position duties, the Leader will work in a variety of environments, from an office setting to remote locations in the wilderness.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions of the position.

LOCATION(s): Eugene, OR; camping across Oregon, Idaho, and Washington for the entire summer.

PROGRAM DATES:

• Leader Training: May 28- June 10, 2026

• Session 1: June 13- July 18, 2026

• Session 2: July 25- August 29, 2026

Depending on interest and performance, there are opportunities to lead fall young adult crews.

BENEFITS: $8,400 living allowance; $2,817.14 AmeriCorps Education Award; camping, food, and training provided.

TO APPLY: Apply on our website: https://nwyouthcorps.workbrightats.com/jobs/1281282

The application will ask for a resume and a short questionnaire. Additional program information is available at www.nwyouthcorps.org.

Questions/Contact: Amanda Wallace, Program Manager, AmandaW@nwyouthcorps.org Resume review will begin on 03/02/2026. Posting will remain active until filled, but applications submitted prior to the review date will receive priority consideration.

Northwest Youth Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer.