CREW LEADER

2027 CREW LEADER EarthCorps (EC) is a Seattle-based nonprofit organization that believes all people and nature can thrive together. Our aim is to create a global community of environmental leaders through local, hands-on service to the land and community. Putting our mission into action looks like an intensive year-long training program that unites young adults (ages 18-26ish) from across the United States and around the world to learn skills in leadership, environmental restoration, and culturally resonant community building. EarthCorps is committed to work that closes persistent and pervasive gaps, expands access and opportunity and promotes values of fairness in outcomes, belonging and respect. We prioritize fair access to environmental benefits, community-centered environmental practices, and balancing environmental outcomes across under-included communities. Each year, we strive to build a cohort program reflective of many different perspectives and experiences. Through this lens, EarthCorps builds a network of leaders who have the skills to build a bright future, while restoring vital lands and waters and connecting people to nature. This work is ongoing, and the organization is committed to being transparent with program participants about our work, as well as including their input to drive the direction of the organization towards a healthy, welcoming, and sustainable community for us all. The EarthCorps program is an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in environmental restoration. Crewleaders act as mentors for crews of 5-7 members. Crews make a difference on the land through on-the-ground restoration projects throughout Western Washington. 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 Leads guide environmental restoration projects throughout the Puget Sound region (in urban, suburban, and rural settings). The Crew Lead 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. In addition to impactful service, Crewleaders will grow professionally and personally through training, engaging with environmental agencies, collaborating with staff, providing feedback, and practicing structured reflection. Crewleaders learn values-driven team building and leadership skills as they work on bridging a wide range of lived experiences and backgrounds, their cross-cultural communication skills, and conflict resolution management. This position is supervised by the EarthCorps Operations Manager, managed by EarthCorps project managers, and is offered through AmeriCorps. As such, all applicants must meet the requirements to become an AmeriCorps member and abide by AmeriCorps policies. 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 orientation that prepares them to teach and coach members on their crew. Mentoring others in restoration strengthens skills in communication, delegation, team building and interpersonal support. Additional Crew Leading responsibilities include: Motivates, directs and coordinates a crew of young adults in a structured program of service, restoration, and training. Coaches the crew to achieve quality results, monitors safety and efficiency of crew work. Encourages crew morale and supports teamwork amongst corps members. Clarifies the standards of behavior as well as policies and procedures of EarthCorps and ensures adherence to program goals and mission, including attendance policies. 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 projects, crew leaders develop skills in project planning, risk management, problem solving, and environmental restoration techniques. Serves as onsite liaison between agency partners, project managers and crewmembers. Coordinates fieldwork projects with project managers and crewmembers 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: Vegetation control (manual, mechanical, chemical) 45% Indigenous Plant installation (planting) 15% Stewardship/ Site maintenance 20% Trail construction/maintenance 20% Education, Training and Instruction: Fosters and encourages quality service and interaction amongst corps members. Conducts training and presentations in areas such 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 mentoring, education and training completed, attendance and incident reports. Conducts regular, individual crew member check ins to discuss corps member progress and communicates status to program manager. Mentors 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. Successful applicants will demonstrate the following: 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 Restoration is a 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 the 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 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 daily in-person Please consider the nature of the work prior to applying and let us know if you have any specific questions or concerns. Crew Leader Terms of Service: PERIOD OF SERVICE: January 14th, 2027 December 10th, 2027 RATE OF PAY: Living stipend of $3,600 month; pre-tax TYPICAL HOURS OF SERVICE: 7:00 a.m. 5:30 p.m. Tuesday Friday; with some Mondays and Saturdays as assigned STATUS: Temporary, enrolled through AmeriCorps. AmeriCorps members must abide by policies set by AmeriCorps and complete 1,700 hours of service, including mandatory trainings. Clear Criminal History Background Checks conducted to fulfill AmeriCorps requirements Benefits: For eligible participants: AmeriCorps education award up to $7,395 dependent on 1700 service hours completion Wilderness First Responder (WFR) training provided if needed Medical, Vision and Dental Insurance Paid Time Off (8 sick days and 6 personal days) and Holidays designated by EarthCorps Subsidized ORCA Pass for bus transportation Approximately 30 Training and Education Days as part of Program Participation