Crew Leader 2022

About EarthCorps

EarthCorps (EC) is a Seattle-based nonprofit organization that believes people and nature can thrive together and seeks to build a global community of leaders through local environmental service.  Putting our mission into action looks like an intensive (six-month/year-long) training program that unites young adults (ages 18-26ish) from across the United States and around the world to learn skills in community building, environmental restoration, and reflective practice.  EarthCorps is currently in the process of transitioning away from harmful systems typical of the non-profit industrial complex and capitalism, like hierarchical decision-making power and white supremacy culture, and shifting towards a more liberated and anti-racist work culture. This work is ongoing and the organization is committed to being transparent with program participants about this work, as well as including their input to drive the direction of the organization. 

Position Summary

Colonization, resource extraction, development, urbanization and agriculture activities have degraded air, water and soil quality, and destroyed natural habitats. Ecological restoration is one tool to address these impacts and care for our land. Crews at EarthCorps have an opportunity to directly improve the resiliency of our land by restoring habitat, improving water and air quality, reducing erosion, sequestering carbon and engaging the broader community to become stewards of our shared resource.

Crew Leaders lead environmental restoration projects throughout the Puget Sound region (in urban, suburban, and rural settings). The Crew Leader is responsible for: project coordination between land management agencies, EarthCorps project managers, and 5-6 Crew Members; facilitation of crew safety and well-being, productivity, morale and quality of work; and Crew Member training and education in the field.

 This position is managed by an EarthCorps program manager and supervised by EarthCorps project managers, and is offered through the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). As such, all applicants must meet the requirements to become an AmeriCorps member and abide by AmeriCorps policies.

Duties & Responsibilities

PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES, RESPONSIBILITIES AND INTENDED OUTCOMES:

Crew Leadership & Delegation: Crew leading provides individuals with an opportunity to experience a peer leadership model as they work on restoration projects alongside crew members. Crew leaders receive an extended orientation that prepares them to teach and coach members on their crew. Leading others in restoration strengthens skills in communication, delegation, team building and interpersonal support.

·        Motivates, directs and coordinates a crew of young adults in a structured program of service, restoration, and training.

·        Responsible for the quality, safety and efficiency of crew work.

·        Maintains positive crew morale and fosters teamwork amongst corps members.

·        Enforces the standards of behavior as well as policies and procedures of EarthCorps and ensures adherence to program goals and mission, including attendance policies.

·        Oversees and enforces EarthCorps policies relating to public health and the spread of infection, including the wearing of face coverings and necessary distancing between crew members in the field

·        Leads by example while serving alongside corps members.

Coordination & Project Implementation: Crew leaders develop project management skills over the course of the term of service as they implement and coordinate projects with the support of project managers. Through their work on project, crew leaders develop skills in project planning, risk management, troubleshooting, and environmental restoration techniques.

·        Coordinates fieldwork projects with project managers and the field operations manager.

·        Serves as on-site project leader for EarthCorps in the absence of a project manager.

·        Maintains project and equipment logs/records as directed by a project manager.

·        Assists project manager in maintaining production, quality, and safety goals/standards for crew.

·        Responsible for implementing environmental restoration projects throughout the Puget Sound region. These projects (with typical percentages per year) include but are not limited to:

o   Invasive Plant Removal (weed removal) 47% (35% manual 12% herbicide)

o   Native Plant Installation                         15%

o   Restoration Site Maintenance                15%

o   Trail Construction/Maintenance             15%

o   Multiple camping trips (up to 10 days/trip)

Education, Training and Instruction: 

·        Fosters and encourages quality service and interaction amongst corps members.

·        Conducts trainings and presentations in such areas as: proper tool use, first aid, workplace safety, leadership skills, & community service.

Communication: 

·        Prepares oral and written reports of service projects, equipment use and maintenance, corps member feedback and coaching, education and training completed, attendance and incident reports.

·        Conducts regular, individual crew meetings to discuss corps member progress and communicates status to program manager.

·        Counsels and motivates individual corps members.

·        Demonstrates sensitivity to and awareness of cultural differences and their effect on crew and corps leadership.

·        Participates in other meetings as directed.

Desired Qualifications

SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL DEMONSTRATE THE FOLLOWING:

Crew leading is a challenging experience! We are looking for some mix (or all!) of the following past experiences and capacities to make sure individuals are successful in this role:

·        Experience in environmental restoration or a similar work environment

·        Experience leading others in outdoor activities (especially peers in a physical work environment)

·        Demonstrated high level of personal responsibility and professionalism

·        Capacity to delegate, multitask, stay organized and be responsive

·        Experience communicating to a wide range of audiences and sensitivity to cultural differences

·        Demonstrated ability to make safe decisions with limited information

·        Commitment and ability to serve for the full AmeriCorps term

·        Wilderness First Responder, WA State herbicide applicators license

 

Restoration is physically demanding service that takes place outdoors in all weather conditions. Each year new members consistently underestimate the physical and mental requirements. Crew Leaders must both have the capacity to perform restoration tasks in challenging physical situations and ability to motivate others. Service regularly involves:

·    Long days of repetitively shoveling, digging, and swinging heavy tools

·    Heavy lifting up to 50 lbs. (22 kg) and bending

·    Working, eating, and camping in the outdoors in all weather conditions such as rain, heat, smoke, wind, and snow

·    Walking on steep or uneven terrain up to 8 mi. (13 km) while carrying 40 lbs. (18 kg) of weight

·    Working in extremes of heat or cold/rain

·    Handling herbicides

·    Interacting and collaborating with others on a daily basis online and in-person

Please consider the nature of the work prior to applying and let us know if you have any specific questions or concerns.

Corps Members will be expected to follow additional procedures relating to public health and the mitigation of the spread of COVID-19, while in the field and out. This may include the wearing of face coverings and necessary distancing between crew members in the field, among other crew protocol. All Corps Members must be fully vaccinated with an authorized COVID-19 vaccine before beginning their service.

Corps Member Terms of Service

·        PERIOD OF SERVICE: January 13, 2022 –December 9,2022

·        RATE OF PAY: Stipend of $2,426/mo (before taxes)

·        TYPICAL HOURS OF SERVICE: 7:20 a.m.– 5:30 p.m. Monday – Friday, alternating Mondays off, occasional Saturdays.

·        STATUS: Temporary, enrolled through AmeriCorps. AmeriCorps members must abide by policies set by CNCS and complete 1,700 hours of service, including mandatory trainings. 

·        Criminal history checks conducted to fulfill AmeriCorps requirements

Benefits

·        Training and Education

·        For eligible participants: AmeriCorps education award of $6,345 upon completion of 1,700 hours

·        Wilderness First Responder (WFR) training provided if needed

·        Days off, Holidays and sick time permissible as designated by EarthCorps

·        Medical and Dental Insurance

·        Subsidized ORCA Pass for bus transportation

·        Boots, pants, t-shirts, rain gear and safety equipment provided

Deadlines and Start Dates

Priority consideration will be given to completed applications received by September 13, 2021.  

To ensure your materials are considered, please submit your completed application early as you are able. After this priority date, new applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until the positions are filled. 

We encourage applicants from all racial, ethnic, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds, sexual orientations, and gender identities to apply, especially those from historically marginalized communities.

To Apply

Click the 'Apply Now' button below to begin your application. You will be asked to submit basic personal information, a current resume, and a cover letter answering the following question; "Why do you want to serve at EarthCorps as a Crew Leader? What attracted you, and how will this term of service help you reach your goals?