2025 Crew Leader

Position Overview

• Field Office Locations:
  • Logan
  • Cedar City
  • Moab
• Term of Service Dates: early February 2025 – Mid November 2025
• Service hours required: 1700
• Schedule: Full-time commitment, hours & schedules vary from week to week with extended travel up to 14 days.
• Application: See below for link

Crew Leaders (CLs) will lead 4–10 person crews on various conservation-related projects. CLs are responsible for facilitating a positive crew member experience by setting an example of enthusiasm throughout work and camp life. They provide leadership, mentorship, support, and training for their crew. They are expected to uphold and follow UCC’s values, ensure policies and procedures are followed, communicate with project partners, and record and report weekly project outcome data and other documentation.

We seek team members who:

• Are creative problem solvers
• Speak and act professionally, and conduct themselves with a high level of maturity
• Approach uncertainty and discomfort with a positive mindset
• Have the ability to lead and to motivate self and others
• Communicate effectively
• Can adapt to changing circumstances
• Are passionate about conservation work
• Desire to provide mentorship for emerging conservation leaders

The CL term of service is approximately 10 months, spanning 3 field seasons (Spring, Summer, and Fall). This position involves frequent travel, camping, irregular hours, and a varying weekly schedule. The AmeriCorps Crew Leaders will be supervised by the UCC Field Staff.

 

Projects & Schedule

UCC operates three 12-week field seasons throughout the year. The CL begins their term of service in the spring with intensive training in conservation, leadership, outdoor living, and Wilderness First Responder certification. The remainder of the Spring season is dedicated to development through experience, hands-on training, and peer-led project work. During this time, CLs become familiar with their responsibilities, learn proper tool use and techniques, and participate in conservation projects under the leadership of Field Logistics Technicians (FLTs) and supervision of field staff. Upon demonstration of essential competencies, CLs will assume responsibility for leadership of crews for the Summer and Fall season. CLs may be assigned to co-leadership duties, depending on project needs.

Crews serve on projects in a variety of locations. Field projects may be in the backcountry (hiking into the project site, camping away from a vehicle) or front country (such as driving to the project site daily, camping at the vehicle, or non-camp lodging). Projects may also be urban (located in a city or town) or rural (located in national parks, forests, etc. with limited access to facilities and resources).

Project work may include (but is not limited to):

• Trail construction and maintenance
• Invasive species management, including herbicide application
• Habitat restoration
• Fence installation/repair/removal
• Land management inventory and mapping
• Recreational facilities maintenance and construction
• Recreation signage repair
• Community service
• National disaster response efforts

Crews should expect project schedules and project work to vary. The schedules for crews in the field will change from project to project. Crews may be on ‘hitch’ for 4-14 days, working 10- hours/day (some days may be up to 12 hours/day), while camping in front and backcountry settings. Typically, crews will have 3-5 days off between hitches. Days will include two 15-minute breaks and one 30-minute lunch. (The 30-minute lunch break does not count toward term of service hours).

Crew Leaders may be deployed on AmeriCorps Disaster Response Team mission assignments to support preparedness, response, and recovery activities in communities impacted by disasters.

The Crew Leader position is an AmeriCorps 1700 hour term requiring a full-time commitment during the field season.

Responsibilities

Conservation Project Management

• Ensure that UCC policies and procedures are followed at the project site, campsite, and during travel
• Conduct risk assessment and management at project and campsites
• Prepare crew members for project work and outdoor living, including working, camping, and traveling, including through inclement weather
• Lead crew to accomplish daily and weekly project outcomes
• Proactively communicate with field staff and project partners about project goals, progress, techniques, problems, etc.
• Equip the crew with essential information, tools, first aid kits, and supplies for assigned project work
• Track, maintain, and repair tools and equipment
• Monitor rig and de-rig processes and procedures

Crew Member Mentorship

• Cultivate a safe and productive environment at work and camp
• Assist FLTs and field staff with Summer and Fall crew member training
• Provide in-field guidance, training, and direction to crew members
• Establish positive crew dynamics and a communicative atmosphere
• Foster a supportive learning environment
• Facilitate communication and conflict management within the crew
• Document and report incidents and policy violations to UCC staff in an appropriate and timely manner

Documentation & Reporting

• Complete documentation and reporting on time and as assigned by field staff including, but not limited to:
  • Weekly Progress Reporting
  • Vehicle Inspection
  • Daily Safety Logs
  • Incident Reports
  • Debrief Notes
  • Tool and Equipment Logs
  • Rig-up/De-rig Scheduling

Special Benefits

Why Join Us?

Through this experience, you will find a new level of hard work and determination by working long hours, oftentimes in challenging conditions. You will learn what it really means to be part of a team. You will create friendships and connections that will last a lifetime. In the end, you will gain the confidence and knowledge that you can and will conquer the hardest obstacles life throws at you.

Compensation & Benefits

• Living allowance of $1,444.73 paid twice per month Note: this is taxable income
• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award, $7,395.00 (available upon successful completion of term)
  • Learn more about how you can use your Education Award
• Health Insurance benefit of up to $100 a month on new plans through the Marketplace on gov
• Professional Development Training Fund: $250.00 available for use during term of service for approved conservation skills and leadership trainings
• Forbearance on qualifying student loans while in service
• Conservation leadership experience
• Wilderness First Responder Certification (~$800 value)
• Chainsaw training with the option to qualify through UCC National USFS Chainsaw Program as an A Faller (apprentice sawyer)
• Utah Non-Commercial Pesticide Applicator License
• Member Assistance Program (a mental wellness and life coaching program)
• $150 reimbursement uniform reimbursement (boots/pants) for a 1700hr term

Professional Development

All crew members will be trained in safe and proper tool use and maintenance, project techniques and management, backcountry, and outdoor living. Training topics and certifications may include chainsaw and hand tool use, project techniques, and first aid. Members will also have the opportunity to network with project partners, thereby developing possible future employment opportunities.

Requirements

Who Are You?

The UCC is for people who are passionate about the outdoors, conservation, service, and education. Our members have the opportunity to go new places, meet new people, learn new skills, explore careers, and connect with potential employers.

Qualifications

Minimum

• Experience with group communication, conflict management, and resolution
• Adaptability in an environment with irregular and changing schedules
• Maturity and self-motivation, with a commitment to personal and professional growth
• Alignment with UCC’s mission and values of safety, service, community, inclusivity, positivity, and engagement
• 3 months leadership or supervisory experience in a team or crew-based setting
• Demonstrated outdoor/camping skills
• S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
• Have a high school diploma or GED
• Eligible to enroll in an AmeriCorps term of service
• Pass a National Service Criminal History Check

Preferred

• 3 months experience in conservation corps, public lands management, or work in similar fields
• Trail maintenance and construction experience
• Chainsaw training and experience
• Previous experience in conservation corps, public lands management, or work in similar fields
• Ability to communicate professionally and effectively with administrators, supervisors, and peers
• Experience and demonstrated leadership in diverse settings

Note: Participants must supply their own personal outdoor gear and equipment such as a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, day pack, multi-day pack, work pants, work boots, etc. Members are eligible for a uniform reimbursement up to $150. A recommended gear-list will be provided prior to starting the term of service. UCC will provide project tools, personal protective gear, crew kitchen kit (stove, fuel, cooking and serving supplies) and transportation to and from projects. UCC participants are eligible for pro-deals.

Why work here

This experience will be the story you remember forever.