Conservation Crew Leader

Conservation Crew Leader- Great Appalachian Valley Conservation Corps 

The Great Appalachian Valley Conservation Corps:
The Great Appalachian Valley Conservation Corps (GAVCC) is a non-profit, AmeriCorps-affiliated organization, whose mission is to connect young adults to meaningful conservation service. GAVCC engages motivated young adults, ages 18-27, to complete challenging and impactful conservation and service projects throughout the region. Projects may include, trail construction & maintenance, habitat improvement, hazardous fuels reduction, re-vegetation and local environmental service projects. Crews may also complete technical and/or specialized projects depending on project partner needs, including disaster relief if the opportunity arises. 

GAVCC crews work with a variety of land management agencies throughout the state such as the United States Forest Service, National Park Service, The Nature Conservancy, and the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Historic District. Projects vary but could include trail construction and maintenance, ecosystem restoration, habitat restoration, historical restoration, and boundary marking. 

Our programs focus on place-based learning, life skills development, appreciation of diversity, civic responsibility and career development. GAVCC also provides an opportunity for Corpsmembers to learn about the local environment, environmental issues and introduces individuals to recreation and resource management careers. When not in the field, members are expected to find their own housing. 

Position Summary:
This is a unique opportunity to help build a local organization while leading a young adult AmeriCorps crew on meaningful conservation projects in and around the Shenandoah Valley. 

The position is multi-faceted and demanding, but with opportunity for enormous rewards. Successful candidates will demonstrate resourcefulness, effective communication skills, excellent judgment, maturity, initiative, professionalism, and the desire to devote themselves to a crew experience where the needs of others are placed above oneself. The Crew Leader position requires mentorship, technical aptitude, and a high level of comfort in the outdoors. 

Leadership & Mentorship 

Manage, supervise, and lead the day-to-day details of project work & crew life in camp 

Implement skills & training on work-site and facilitate intentional discussions via informal lessons to contribute to the crew’s personal growth and group dynamics 

Promote individual corps member development and a healthy community 

Project Management & Implementation 

Train and motivate a crew of six young adults to efficiently complete conservation projects on public land 

Delegation of project work & investment among crew 

Manage the on-the-ground quality and quantity of project work 

Think critically to resolve issues 

Communicate effectively & coordinate logistics with project partners & GAVCC staff 

Safety & Risk Management 

Monitor, manage, and promote the crew’s physical and emotional safety on and off the work site 

Exhibit strong situational awareness & promote a culture of safety 

Transport crew’s and equipment safely in GAVCC’s vans or large SUVs with trailers 

Administration 

Complete professional documentation of time sheets, daily and weekly reports, corps member and peer evaluations, incident reports, etc. 

Manage food budget and credit card for purchases 

Timeline 

June through July 2018 

Required Skills 

General Qualifications:
Must be able to pass a criminal background check. 

Past conservation experience preferred but not required. 

Professionalism: Members must be willing to follow and enforce all GAVCC policies, maintain professional boundaries, communicate effectively with partners, members, peers and GAVCC staff, and appropriately represent the Great Appalachian Valley Conservation Corps and AmeriCorps. (This includes creating a substance free work environment, refraining from alcohol and drugs while on "hitch"). 

Adaptability: Projects have a degree of uncertainty and will include variable living conditions and last-minute changes. Members must be adaptive, patient and able to maintain a positive perspective throughout. 

Leadership: Experience or a strong desire to lead and mentor a diverse group of young individuals (ages range from 16 - 18 or 18– 25 years old). Ability to manage and participate in day-to-day details of crew life at work. Ability to listen, willingness to receive feedback, and a desire to grow continually. 

Community Building: Strong interest in helping others to grow as individuals while building cohesiveness in a group setting. Members must be willing to work hard, listen to and respect others' viewpoints, be tolerant of diversity, participate as a team, and be dedicated to the GAVCC mission. 

Environmental Stewardship: Members must have a genuine enjoyment and desire for caring for the land while living and working in the outdoors in a variety of conditions. 

Fitness: GAVCC projects are physically demanding!!! Projects involve hiking, backpacking, heavy lifting and repetitive motions while using a variety of hand tools. Projects can sometimes take place at high elevations with variable weather patterns. Members should be ready to confront these conditions while being able to help and encourage others that they are leading. 

Conservation: Experience or a strong desire to learn the technical skills needed to effectively maintain public lands, and having a flexible definition of what 'conservation' means. 

Corpsmember Development: Experience or strong desire to learn and participate as an outdoor educator and/or mentor. 

Driving: Crew Leaders are responsible for driving 8-12-passenger vehicles while pulling a trailer. In order to drive, members must be 21, have a clean driving record (insurable) and a current driver's license. 

Education: At a minimum, members must be high school graduates, GED recipients, working toward attaining a high school diploma or GED during their term of service. Members must agree to obtain either a diploma or GED before using an education award. 

Citizenship: Member's must provide primary documentation of status as a U.S citizen or National, OR primary documentation of status as a lawful permanent resident alien of the United States. 

Participant Essential Eligibility Requirements 

Essential eligibility requirements for the program must be met. If you are unable to meet certain requirements, we may be able to assist you with some modification unless it alters the fundamental nature of the program, compromises the health and safety of participants or staff, or places an undue financial or administrative burden on the organization. These requirements are written the same for all positions and therefore may not apply directly to your particular position. 

Participation and Expedition Behavior 

Work effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions. This may require problem solving on an interpersonal or group level as well as a willingness to accept differences 

Contribute to a safe learning environment; no harassment of others for any reason. 

Willingness and ability to complete all aspects of the program including conservation projects, education, training and national service. Members must commit to participating in all crew/team activities, including service days in local communities where applicable. 

Effectively communicate ideas and concerns as they arise directly to supervisors, colleagues and organization staff. 

Have the cognitive ability to learn necessary skills and apply them to effectively carry out the service work requirements 

Appropriately represent the Program and AmeriCorps to the public and project partners at all times. 

Safety and Judgment 

Effectively communicate danger to others in the form of either a warning of danger others may be encountering or a notification of personal distress, injury or need for assistance. You must be able to do so at a distance of up to 50 meters and in conditions with limited visibility or loud background noise such as darkness or high winds. 

Effectively perceive, understand and follow direction by others so that you will be able to successfully execute appropriate and perhaps unfamiliar techniques to manage hazards. These directions may be given before the hazard is encountered or may need to be given during exposure to the hazard. 

Stay alert and focused for several hours at a time while traveling and working in varied weather conditions 

Perceive and comprehend significant and apparent hazards, including those hazards previously identified by others. 

Respond appropriately to stress or crises 

If taking prescription medications, participants must be able to maintain proper dosage by self-medicating without assistance from others. 

Monitor, manage, and promote the crew’s physical and emotional safety on and off the work site 

Exhibit strong situational awareness & promote a culture of safety 

Transport crew’s and equipment safely in GAVCC vans or large SUVs with trailers 

Environmental Ethics 

Learn and practice ‘Leave no Trace’ techniques 

Outdoor Skills and Fitness (where appropriate) 

Learn and safely perform fundamental outdoor living/travel and work skills as appropriate to the project. Additionally, remain adequately hydrated, fed, and properly dressed so as to remain generally healthy and safe, avoiding environmental injuries. 

Live in a physically demanding, possibly remote environment for an uninterrupted period of up to several weeks. Conditions of this environment may vary significantly and may include severe and/or trying weather. The remoteness is such that it may require at a minimum one hour, but perhaps in excess of 12 hours, to reach the nearest advanced medical care. 

Substance Free 

In accordance to a drug free workplace, alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in AmeriCorps and program activities and while on organization property. 

Essential Functions:
Frequently required to walk, hike, sit and talk or listen 

Required to use hands to operate objects, tools or controls, and to reach with hands and arms 

Regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds 

Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision and the ability to focus 

Required to drive an GAVCC vehicle 

Must be able to speak, understand, read and write English 

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions