Field Crew Leader (Backcountry, Forestry, Fuels, Trails)

Weed Science Group; Montana; On-site; USD 28,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Education Award

Health Insurance

Coaching & Support

Living Allowance

Food Per Diem

Pro Deals

Job summary

Montana Conservation Corps seeks a Field Crew Leader to guide 3–5 adults on multi-day conservation projects across the Northern Rocky Mountains and Great Plains. You’ll mentor teammates, manage field logistics, and ensure safe, quality project outcomes in backcountry settings.

You will receive extensive training, including WAFA/CPR certifications, trail work, Leave No Trace, and leadership development. This AmeriCorps term builds skills for public lands careers.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED is required.
• US citizen, national, or permanent resident may be required.
• Pass a National Service Criminal History Check.
• 21+ years old by start date.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to pass MVR.
• Ability to hike 3–20 miles per day in rugged terrain.
• Lift up to 35 pounds repeatedly and use hand/power tools.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Wilderness Advanced First Aid/CPR training eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Oversee 3–5 adult crew members on 4–9 day projects.
• Facilitate crew growth and resolve conflicts.
• Support crew to complete quality field projects.
• Coordinate with co-leaders and assistants.

Skills

Leadership

Endurance

Communication

Teamwork

Flexibility

Growth mindset

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Field Crew Leader (Backcountry, Forestry, Fuels, Trails)

Description of Duties

Gain professional career skills, become an effective leader, and launch your natural resource career!

Location: Bozeman, Helena, Kalispell, and Missoula MT
Ages: 21 or over
Program Dates: 02/22/2027-10/21/2027
Living Allowance: $1,360 biweekly ($2,720 p/month) before taxes are taken out
AmeriCorps Education Award: $5,176.50 upon completion of the program
Health Insurance: Provided at NO COST
Member Assistance Program: Free 24/7 access to confidential behavioral health counseling, financial assistance, medical/legal advocacy, and more!
Supportive coaching staff invested in your success.
Community Cohorts: We offer community spaces to build community, connection, and support during the season. The groups meet regularly and are open to all participants who identify within the respective community.
Food Per Diem while on Projects
Access to Pro Deals
Housing options may be available in specific regions; talk with a Program Manager to learn more!!

What you will do:
As a Crew Leader (CL), you will oversee 3-5 adult crew members on 4-9 day overnight conservation projects on some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the Northern Rocky Mountains and Great Plains. Some crew leaders will lead a crew solo, some will lead with a co-leader, and some will have an assistant crew leader. The crew you will oversee will be made up of adults who come from a variety of backgrounds and locations throughout the country. Crew Leaders will be responsible for helping to facilitate crew member growth, manage conflict on their crew, and support the crew in completing quality project service in the field.

Crews will camp for the full duration of a hitch (i.e. 4-9 day project assignment), oftentimes in remote locations on varied terrain and in all weather conditions. Camping accommodations vary, including car-camping and remote backcountry settings away from a vehicle. Not all CLs will serve on all types of projects. Crews may be deployed for natural disaster relief. Projects & Crew types may shift during the season.

• Field Crews: Duties may include building or maintaining trails, treating or removing invasive species, building fences, operating chainsaws to reduce wildfire risks by thinning trees, among many other types of projects.
• Forestry Crews: Duties may include Tree Species ID, Timber Stand Assessment, Tree Marking, Timber Sale Boundary Marking, Tree Planting, Silviculture Prescriptions, Reforestation Plot Surveying, Chainsaw Operations/Maintenance, Precommercial Thinning, Fireline/Fuelbreak Operations, and more.
• Field and Fuels: These crews will likely have a high proportion of chainsaw use, fireline construction and other forest health monitoring activities. This may also include wildland fuels mitigation projects and trail maintenance and construction.

What you will get:
As a Crew Leader, you will participate in a 3 month dynamic and immersive leadership development program crafted over two decades to enhance your confidence, resilience, and technical capabilities. You will engage in activities that will help you explore communication styles, develop emotional intelligence, master conflict resolution, and learn facilitation techniques to teach to different learning styles, and apply your knowledge to new scenarios. Through feedback, reflection, and discussion, you will leave with actionable strategies to become an effective leader.

You will also receive extensive technical training to cover a range of essential skills for outdoor professionals, including federally recognized certifications in chainsaw and crosscut use (depending on crew type), defensive driving, and Wilderness Advanced First Aid (WAFA). You will gain expertise in backcountry travel, trail maintenance, Leave No Trace principles, habitat management, and natural resource management. This comprehensive training equips crew leaders with the knowledge and skills needed for diverse situations and challenges.

After a term of service with MCC as a Crew Leader, you will be mentally and physically stronger, more resilient, and have the ability to lead others with confidence. This isn’t just a chance to serve in the field and have a positive impact on public lands. This is an opportunity to work on your personal growth, and be prepared to meet any challenge you face in the future.

Who we are looking for:
We often see applicants who don’t realize they are qualified to take on a leadership role here at MCC. MCC is a developmental program and it is our mission to teach, train, and develop leadership competencies in our participants. We recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a service term, therefore our position descriptions are guidelines, not hard and fast rules. Your experience, which may include paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer service, helps build the competencies and knowledge that translates to our openings. We encourage anyone to apply who has an interest in conservation and bettering themselves for the future.

What Qualities Make a Successful Crew Leader at MCC:

• A passion for service and conservation.
• A positive mental attitude and seeing others with positive regard.
• Adaptability and flexibility.
• A commitment to serving the whole term.
• A growth mindset – coming willing to learn, grow, and challenge yourself.
• A commitment to motivating others and their success.
• A desire to hone your personal leadership style.

MCC is committed to being welcoming to all and encourages people of all backgrounds to apply.

Crew Leader Qualifications:

• High school degree, GED, or willingness to pursue obtaining a GED
• US Citizen, National or Lawful Permanent Resident
• Ability to pass a National Service Criminal History Check
• 21+ years old by the start date
• Valid driver’s license, ability to pass a Motor Vehicle Records check, and drive a company vehicle
• Ability to eventually hike 3-20 miles per day in terrain that can be steep, rocky or uneven, often wearing a 45lb backpack while carrying tools and sometimes backpacking with full packs of 60 – 70lbs
• Ability to lift up to 35 pounds repeatedly and use hand and power tools
• Effective written and oral communication skills
• Ability to obtain Wilderness Advanced First Aid/CPR training. (Training is reimbursable to allotted amount/ MCC provides training)
• Strong service ethic and desire to serve the community and the environment
• Willingness to serve long hours in all weather conditions Ability to be away on overnight trips for up to 10 days at a time
• Commitment to completing term; available for duration of entire term of service

Benefits:

• Education Award Use for student loans, certifications, work trade programs, education expenses, and more
• Forbearance for certain student loans while serving with AmeriCorps
• FREE Health Insurance* (members serving over 4 months)
• Member Assistance Program: Free 24/7 access to confidential behavioral health counseling, financial assistance, medical/legal advocacy, and more!
• Public Lands Service Corps Hiring Preference: Members serving with federal land management agencies may be eligible to receive hiring preference for future federal job placement
• Supportive coaching staff invested in your success
• Community Cohorts: We offer community spaces to build community, connection, and support during the season. The groups meet regularly and are open to all participants who identify within the respective community.
• Living Allowance
• AmeriCorps Child Care Benefits
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Food per Diem while on projects
• Access to Pro Deals
• We provide uniform shirts and transportation to project sites
• Tools and safety gear are covered
• Things like hard hats, work gloves, ear protection, safety glasses and group camping gear.
• We have some items to loan if needed
• Certifications (Depending on Position and Crew Type): First Aid & CPR
• Defensive Driving
• Chainsaw Certification
• Crosscut Certification
• Training and Opportunities (Depending on Position and Crew Type): Training on Resume Building, Interviewing, and Federal Hiring
• Hand & Power Tool Use (including chainsaw and crosscut saw)
• Backcountry Travel & Navigation
• Trail Maintenance & Construction
• Leave No Trace
• Habitat Management & Improvement
• Learn about natural resource management
• Leadership, communication, and teamwork competencies
• Develop life skills, career skills, and a strong service ethic
• Connect with project partners: federal, state, and non‑profits for career opportunities
• Join our network of alumni in natural resource careers all over the country
• Serve in beautiful, wild, and protected places.

Location

Closing Date

02/08/2027

Date Position Available

22/02/2027

Montana Conservation Corps believes that through conservation service and authentic connection, you can sharpen your ability to create change and join the next generation of leaders for a better world. At MCC, we focus on the growth of our participants, positively impacting our public lands, and transferable career skills.MCC participants join our program as AmeriCorps Members serving a term of service with Montana Conservation Corps. AmeriCorps is an independent agency of the United States government that engages over 5 million Americans in National Service across various programs. MCC is a service oriented organization that provides career skills training alongside personal development.