POSITION: AmeriCorps Portland Youth Community Crew Leader - OR Summer; Seasonal

DATES: Leader Training Dates: June 1 - June 11, 2026

Summer Session Dates: June 15 - July 17 (Session 1), July 21 - August 21(Session 2)

LOCATION: Portland, OR. Leaders will need to commute to the central meeting location each day. There is also a 10-day leader training in Eugene that involves camping (camping and food provided).

BENEFITS: $8,880 living stipend; $1,956.35 education award for college tuition or applicable student loans.

Learn more about additional benefits here https://americorps.gov/members-volunteers/your-benefits

ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND

Since 1984, Northwest Youth Corps (NYC), a non-profit organization, has given tens of thousands of youth and young adults opportunities to learn, grow, and experience success. Through partnerships with conservation agencies, youth and young adults gain the personal and professional skills needed to carry out a variety of stewardship projects, from which they can earn a stipend, high school credit, and/or an AmeriCorps educational award. More importantly, these young people gain skills needed to benefit their communities as citizen stewards and recognize that they can make a positive difference. NYC also operates an accredited charter school, internship program, and the Idaho Conservation Corps (ICC).

POSITION DETAILS

Crew Leaders lead, manage, and support crews of youth ages 15-18. Crews include approximately 8 youth members and 2 leaders. Youth members are local high school students from a variety of backgrounds who join a crew to build job skills and improve their local environments. Leaders and crews go home at the end of each day, but leadership training involves camping in the field.

As a leader, you will be responsible for ensuring the physical and emotional welfare of your crew. The summer season is broken into two five-week sessions, so leaders will oversee two separate groups over their term of service. Crews work Monday through Friday and meet each morning at a central location in their community. 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. Projects are physically challenging; you'll train your crew to safely use hand tools to maintain trails, cut down invasive plants, and restore parks and community gardens. Many youth crew members are new to the work environment, and you and your co-lead will be responsible for teaching them appropriate job skills, behavior, and language. 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- 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. Leaders provide formal and informal feedback to corps members with specific attention to work productivity and quality, teamwork, and leadership. 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 - 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. This includes not only the physical safety of participants but their mental and emotional safety as well. Leaders will be responsible for transporting the crew and equipment to and from the worksite and frequently drive NYC fleet vehicles.

Project Management & Implementation - Leaders are responsible for completing conservation projects to high standards by training, working with, and supervising crews' 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. Leaders are mentors and role models and set the pace and tone of the project site. This position is physically, emotionally, and mentally demanding. Leaders will lift heavy loads, walk long distances, and should expect to find each project physically challenging.

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

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least 20 years old
• Current CPR certification, or willingness to obtain prior to employment start date.
• Current Driver's License
• Must pass criminal background check and have 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
• Willingness and ability to frequently drive an NYC vehicle
• Excellent organization and time management skills
• Ability to work collaboratively and thrive in a team setting
• Consistent attendance and punctuality
• Strong communication skills
• Good judgment and decision-making skills
• Spirit of adventure and desire to make a positive difference in the lives of others and the environment
• Experience/desire in working with diverse populations

INCLUSION AND BELONGING

• Support the continued growth and delivery of Inclusion and Belonging initiatives
• 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 position.
• Physical demands-the physical demands of the position, including bending, sitting, lifting and driving.
• 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.
• This position will work outside 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.
• The Leader must – frequently lift and/or move up to 75 pounds (with or without reasonable accommodation).
• While performing the duties of this position, with or without reasonable accommodation, the Leader is required to stand; walk; use hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools or vehicle; reach with hands and arms; sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk, and hear.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions of the position.

ROLE INFORMATION:

This is an AmeriCorps member level position, NOT a staff member, and AmeriCorps members need to abide by the below restrictions:

• AmeriCorps members may NOT sign/approve official documents such as AmeriCorps paperwork, member timecards, performance evaluations, disciplinary contracts, project contracts or any similar documents.
• AmeriCorps members may NOT be directly involved in project acquisition or contracting.
• AmeriCorps members may NOT discipline other AmeriCorps members. While they may provide guidance, facilitate crew meetings, motivate, reward and uphold safety policies on the service site, all policy violations and disciplinary action must be directed to and handled by staff.

TO APPLY: More information and link to apply can be found at nwyouthcorps.workbrightats.com For questions, contact Amanda Wallace, Program Manager: amandaw@nwyouthcorps.org.

Northwest Youth Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer - At Northwest Youth Corps, we believe diversity is an essential source of strength for our communities, and we strive to create a safe and empowering environment for all participants and staff from the widest range of backgrounds and abilities. We are privileged to facilitate conservation service on our public lands with humility and are deeply invested in supporting youth and young adults of all races, ethnicities, gender identities, religions, sexual orientations, economic status, and/or other socio-cultural identifiers to learn, grow, and experience success in our programs, and beyond.

In accordance with 45CFR 2520.65, AmeriCorps members may not perform prohibited service activities directly or indirectly by recruiting, training, or managing others for the primary purpose of engaging in the activities. Prohibited service activities are outlined in the Service Agreement and AmeriCorps member manual