Community Wildfire Protection Corps (CWPC) Hitch (Camping) Crew Leader

POSITION: Community Wildfire Protection Corps (CWPC) Hitch (Camping) Crew Leader

LOCATION: Starting from Eugene OR and camping across Oregon for the duration of the session.

COMPENSATION:

• Meals and camping accommodation will be provided during the work week Monday through Friday.
• $155/day worked paid monthly.
• Crew Leads receive 11 training days at $100/day (before taxes are taken out)

PROGRAM DATES:

• Crew Lead Training starts 9/2/25 and ends 9/12/25 ($100/day training rate)
• Position starts 9/2/25 and ends 12/12/25 ($155/day work rate)
• Program Dates: 9/15/25-12/12/25

BENEFITS OVERVIEW:

Paid Crew Lead Training may cover the following topics and more:

• NYC Leadership Philosophy
• OSHA Courses
• USDA Chainsaw Operation and Maintenance at an A certification level
• Brush Cutter Operation
• Power Pole Saw Operation
• Woodchipper Operation
• Driver and Trailer Use
• Tool Use and Maintenance
• Defensible Space Inspection Training
• Work Site Analysis
• Crew Management and Motivation
• Conservation Education
• Risk Management and Safety Procedures
• Respect Opportunity and Growth for All
• Behavior Management
• Time Management
• Anaphylaxis training
• S-190

Gear and Safety Equipment provided: 2 field work shirts eye protection ear protection hard hat and sawyer chaps.

ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND:

Since 1984 Northwest Youth Corps (NYC) a non-profit organization has given tens of thousands of youths 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 education award.

More importantly these young people gain skills needed to become economically and socially self-sufficient 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 SUMMARY:

CWPC Crew Leaders (CLs) manage and supervise crews of up to 5 young adults ages 19-26. Crew work schedule will typically be Monday through Friday; however schedules may vary for certain trainings or types of project work. While in session CLs will be responsible for implementing a variety of fuel reduction projects with a majority of the work being done on private lands for homeowners within 100 feet of their home. Saw work does not include felling of large trees and consists of non-complex A-level sawyer scope. CWPC crews do not actively put out fires/dig fire lines and they are not prescription burn crews.

Leads will help with implementing a safe and efficient crew experience including facilitation and communication of work communicating crew meal and break times facilitation of educational curriculum. CLs are individuals with high work ethic and integrity who embody compassion patience and inspirational many waysCLs teach our crew members how to navigate the crew work and social environment with grace and positivity. CLs deliver an impactful educational experience to young people in their communities. This position can also provide an entry-point into the fields of natural resource management youth development outdoor education and more. CLs assist in creating resilient communities in the face of Wildfire.

POSITION DETAILS:

Foster a Supportive and Inclusive Team Environment

• Promote continued organization support of youth and young adults from diverse backgrounds.
• Seek to remove barriers to participation in NYC programs for underrepresented populations.
• Represent and promote Northwest Youth Corps commitment to creating a confidence-building environment where everyone can thrive.

Department Supervision and collaborations

• This position is directly supervised by a CWPC Woodsboss and/or Program Coordinator.
• This position directly supervises CWPC Crew Members.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership and Mentorship:

• CLs manage supervise and participate in all aspects of crew work from hauling rocks to stacking brush and much more. CLs maintains crew discipline resolves conflicts and establishes/maintains crew morale.
• CLs provide formal and informal feedback to crew members with specific attention to safety work productivity and quality efficiency teamwork and leadership.
• CLs work to empower crew members to build the skills necessary to lead the crews themselves.
• CLs receive feedback on their performance and are challenged to develop their leadership skills within this program.

Safety and Risk Management:

• Provide support assessments and training to ensure everything is being completed in a safe professional and productive manner.
• Ensure that all staff and members are actively following NYC safety and risk management protocols; respond to field incidents and emergencies as necessary.
• Oversee the physical and emotional safety of crew members. 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.
• CLs may be responsible for transporting the crew and equipment to and from the worksite daily safely in a Northwest Youth Corps fleet vehicle.

Project Management and Implementation:

• CLs are responsible for safely completing conservation projects to high standards by training working with and supervising crews. Developing skills in effectively delegating responsibilities to make your crew as efficient as possible is a major key to successful leadership in our programs.
• CLs serve as the principal liaison with project partners and members of the local the field they will provide direction to their crew with specific attention to safe work practices proper tool use work quality and productivity.
• CLs are mentors and role models and set the pace and tone of the project site. This position can be physically emotionally and mentally demanding.
• CLs will lift heavy loads walk long distances and should expect to find each project physically challenging.

Education Curriculum:

• CLs implement daily lessons based on Northwest Youth Corps education curriculum (SEED) which incorporates environmental education life skills development nutrition and health and job readiness credentials.
• CLs track participants progress throughout the program.
• CLs are encouraged to bring their own positive skills and experiences to the education curriculum and use natural surroundings for teachable moments.

Position Qualifications and Certifications

• At least 20 years old.
• Must have a valid drivers license and three years of driver history.
• Be able to arrive on time to the pre-designated meeting point during all training and workdays.
• Desire to learn and grow.
• Positive mental attitude flexibility and commitment to success.
• Excellent judgment.
• Ability to listen give and take feedback.
• Desire to go the extra mile to make a positive impact on oneself others and the environment.
• Current First Aid/CPR certification. Or ability to obtain certification before their start date.

Education:

• Education in a related field and/or experience in outdoor recreation environmental education youth development or educational fields preferred.
• Experience in conservation work and/or youth programming will be considered in place of education.

Experience:

• Recreational/ professional outdoor experience.
• Excellent organization and time management skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively and promote teamwork.
• Strong communication skills.
• Good judgment and decision-making skills.
• Sense of humor spirit of adventure and desire to make a positive difference in the lives of others and the environment.

Certification(s)/License(s):

• Current Drivers License and acceptable driving record for the past three years (Drivers License Background Check required).
• Current First Aid/CPR certification required before session start date. Applicants must obtain certification before their employment.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

• Applicants must be in good physical condition; capable of working on strenuous labor-intensive projects as training and work projects often require heavy lifting constant bending digging and long hikes to and from the worksite be on foot for 8-10 hours per day and possibly be exposed to natural hazards such as poison oak and insects. The applicant must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds (with or without reasonable accommodation).
• The noise level in the environment is quiet to loud PPE is provided and required.
• Applicants must be comfortable working in austere outdoor environments which include but are not limited to working in weather conditions that include rain wind snow wet cold dry and hot conditions in varied temperatures.
• Applicants must be able and willing to drive a Northwest Youth Corps vehicle to certain work locations that can be remote and may not have access to the internet phone or immediate emergency services.
• Applicants must be comfortable switching from field and administrative responsibilities often within the workday.
• Applicants are required to stand; walk; use hands to handle feel or operate objects tools or vehicles; reach with hands and arms; sit; climb or balance; stoop kneel crouch or crawl; talk hear; and smell repeatedly with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Applicants must be prepared to spend a majority of the time with the crew as the crews are expected to remain together weekends/non-working hours.

**This Position Description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities duties or responsibilities that are required of the applicant. Duties responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice**

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

• This is a full time session-based position. CL will be camping with the crew 24/7 Monday-Friday for the duration of the session.
• Typical work hours are Monday - Friday 8:00AM to 4:30 PM but can vary due to weather IFPL levels and training needs. There will be other required camp chores etc. before and after these work hours.
• This is an immersive position camping with your crew and time away from the crew is not usually possible (unless approved in advance).
• Crew receives a 30-minute lunch and at least two breaks each day. This 30-minute lunch break does not count toward work hours.
• This job offer is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background check.

Northwest Youth Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our core purpose is to provide opportunities for youth and young adults to learn grow and experience success. We strive to create an empowering environment for participants from a wide range of backgrounds and abilities. We are deeply invested in the success of youth and young adults of all races ethnicities gender identities religions sexual orientations economic statuses or other socio-cultural identifiers.