River Corps Crew Leader- Latin American Youth Center (LAYC)

The Latin American Youth Center (LAYC) is hiring for a new Conservation Corps in Washington DC. The Part Time Conservation Corps Crew Leader is 30hr a week position with benefits and is responsible for ensuring the regular, reliable, and professional field-based implementation of conservation service projects while ensuring the training, safety and quality work performance of Corps members.  The CL implements a Positive Youth Development (PYD) approach by seizing opportunities to enhance teamwork, self-confidence, problem solving, conflict resolution, trust, and leadership amongst Corps participants.  The CL oversees the crew of Corps members in the field, interacts with the public, as well as with LAYC staff, and maintains the integrity of the Conservation Corps program by always demonstrating reliable and professional behavior.  

Field-based duties may include providing leadership and guidance including the following activities: Litter abatement, photo monitoring, stream restoration, invasive species removal, trail construction and maintenance, wildlife habitat restoration, tree planting, park development, light construction, landscaping, campground renovations, maintenance of park facilities, rain gardens and bio retention sites. The CL accompanies members, seeking out ‘teachable moments’, during outdoor recreation activities and experiential learning. The CL provides weekly instruction to Corps members through workshops focused around environmental education, tool safety, and project planning. The CL is also responsible for tracking and entering the data from field-based activities by completing the daily log and utilizing Efforts To Outcomes (ETO) software.  

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop the skills of corps members by seeing that all corps members learn safe and professional work practices, including but not limited to the following:
  • Proper use of hand tools;
  • Professional courtesy to community members, park staff and others in the field;
  • Adherence to River Corps and park policies, rules and regulations; 
  • Clear articulation of work project activities, goals and related services
• Maintain the satisfaction of Site Supervisors by ensuring that projects are properly, professionally and completely serviced
• Provide regular Corps member updates, reports and evaluations of their participation and overall progress
• Supervise, motivate, direct and encourage Corps members in job skills training, field education and on-the-job training
• Maintain discipline among Corps members individually, within crews, and as an entire group
• Fairly, reasonably and consistently enforce policies and regulations
• Encourage a strong work ethic and positive morale through exercises demonstrating teamwork and accountability.
• Coach and support members by seizing opportunities to enhance, self-esteem, self-confidence, decision making, problem solving, trust, leadership and goal setting;
• Attends weekly programmatic meeting with Corps Manager and Crew Leader to address programmatic and administrative issues;
• Complete the paperwork and ETO data entry associated with work project assignments as required by the River Program Manager– typical needs include the crew roster, written project reports, Corps member evaluations, vehicle inspection forms, and incident reports;
• Coordinate safe storage and distribution of breakfast, lunch and snacks;
• Ensure the reliable, safe and clean operation of any assigned vehicles, hand tools and power tools, and report all issues to the Program Manager;
• Ensure that the van is fueled up before the beginning of work each day;
• Visually inspect the van daily and report any defects, problems or safety issues;
• Assist on other special projects as needed.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:  

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.
• Current CPR and Basic First Aid certification is preferred.
• Must have a high school diploma or equivalent; some college-level education is preferred.
• Experience working with children and youth is required and experience working with at-risk youth is preferred
• Ability to pass a background investigation
• Experience working in the outdoors and willingness to work in variable and unpredictable climatic and terrain conditions
• Capable of performing various types of physical labor: Must be able to bend, stretch, push, lift, pull and/or stand for extended periods of time
• Ability to provide legible and intelligible reports in English
• Commitment to making important and sometimes life-critical decisions in the field to protect the safety of Corps members and the community at large 
• Ability to readily recognize Corps member issues including impairment due to drugs, alcohol, medication or other causes.  
• Willingness to address corps member issues, complaints and needs in a professional and constructive manner, and in full accordance with River Corps policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of River Corps/LAYC staff and Corps member policies.
• Flexibility regarding work assignments; sometimes this position is required to change days of the week, assignments, locations, and/or projects and some weekend work may be required
• The willingness and desire to work independently, as well as collaboratively, and to take on additional responsibilities
• A positive attitude and an earnest interest in providing good customer service to our members, employees and senior leadership. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Work is primarily outdoors, resulting in exposure to sun, rain, mud, fog, extreme heat and cold, wind, extreme humidity, pollen and other airborne irritants, sudden temperature changes, and other climatic phenomena.  In addition, performance of duties often requires work in remote areas characterized by rugged terrain, with steep and sometimes slippery slopes.  Service projects take place in a variety of environments, including forested areas, swamps, wetlands, open water and other habitats. 

Operating some types of equipment or machinery may also result in exposure to noise, airborne debris, vibrations, and hazardous conditions requiring the use of safety gear such as ear and eye protection, hard hats, etc.

Work involves special physical demands such as lifting 50 pounds or more, climbing ladders, bending, lifting, stretching, pulling, walking or standing for extended periods of time. 

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the individual(s) assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required. Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other duties as necessary. In addition, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. 

 Please send resume and cover letter to Faith McNeill, Corps Manager, Faith@layc-dc.org