Urban Forestry Crew Leader

Conservation Legacy; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 27,552 - 34,440; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Field meals provided

Uniforms and personal protective equipment provided

Job summary

Conservation Legacy is seeking a Phoenix Urban Forestry Crew Leader for the AZCC 2026 Fall program. This role emphasizes leadership and mentorship while engaging young adults in impactful conservation projects.

You will train and supervise crew members in arboriculture techniques, ensuring safety and effective communication. The position offers a seasonal, full-time schedule with a wage ranging from $20 to $25 per hour, based on experience.

Qualifications

• Full commitment to the program and its mission.
• Understanding of conservation corps and public land agencies.
• Experience with youth or young adults.

Responsibilities

• Mentor and train team members in arboriculture.
• Supervise and manage crew tasks effectively.
• Ensure safety and risk management while performing duties.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Flexibility

Conflict Resolution

Education

High School diploma or GED

Tools

Chainsaw certifications

Wilderness First Aid certification

Job description

Title: AZCC 2026 Fall Phoenix Urban Forestry Crew Leader

Reports to: Samantha Foster

Site Location: AZCC Phoenix Office Room 23, 3146 E Wier Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85040

Status: Seasonal, Full-time, Day Program

Dates: 10/05/26 - 1/22/27

Wages: $20-25/hour, depending on prior experience and certifications.

Arizona Conservation Corps (AZCC) is an AmeriCorps program that engages motivated young adults, ages 18–30, in completing challenging and impactful conservation service projects throughout the western United States. The AZCC Urban Forestry Crew program, developed in partnership with Arizona State University’s Rob and Melani Walton Sustainability Solutions Service’s Urban Nature Program, is designed to address the dual challenges of environmental mitigation and underemployment in the growing field of urban forestry. Through a combination of classroom technical trainings and hands‑on projects AZCC Urban Forestry crew members gain the fundamental skills needed to prepare them for careers in the expanding field of Urban Arboriculture.

Crews work in all weather conditions on a variety of projects focused on heat mitigation and urban forestry. This position is for a member of a day crew, where individuals are expected to arrive on time each day prepared to learn and work hands‑on in arboriculture, as well as urban tree and landscape care and maintenance. Members selected for this crew are expected to commit to completing their term with AZCC, follow all safety procedures, and demonstrate a strong interest in the field of arboriculture.

Position Summary

The Crew Leader position is an opportunity to make a difference in young peoples’ lives, while completing conservation projects on public and private lands. Leaders will be mentors, educators, and facilitators for young adults, working to promote the health and resiliency of our land, air, and water.

Typical schedule: Monday through Friday from 7am to 4pm, with occasional shifts to a Tuesday–Saturday schedule. Daily schedules may vary with a minimum of 1 week notice. This position oversees a day crew. Members return home each evening and are expected to arrive on time, ready to work at the scheduled start. Because lateness impacts the entire crew, arriving more than 15 minutes late or leaving early without prior approval will result in disciplinary action. There is a 2‑week break in the service term from December 22 – January 2. You will not have project work during those dates and you will not receive pay for those weeks.

Responsibilities

Leadership & Mentorship

• Mentor assistant crew leader: provide valuable feedback, give opportunities for growth, delegate responsibilities, and encourage technical and leadership skill development.
• Implement skills training on worksite 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 safe, healthy, cohesive, other‑centered and team‑oriented community.
• Follow and enforce all policies, maintain professional boundaries, and appropriately represent the program. This includes creating a substance‑free work environment, and refraining from the use of alcohol and drugs while involved in the program.

Project Management & Implementation

• Train, motivate, and supervise a crew of young adults to efficiently complete tasks and objectives outlined in conservation projects, while working long hours and managing high quality work and crew morale.
• Think critically to resolve issues and solve problems, requesting assistance or help when needed.
• Communicate & coordinate logistics with project partners, Assistant Crew Leader, and staff.

Safety & Risk Management

• Monitor, manage, and promote the holistic health of the crew, including physical and emotional (intimidation‑free community environment) safety.
• Exhibit strong situational awareness & promote a culture of safety.
• Transport crew and equipment safely in organizational vans or large SUVs with trailers in accordance with CL Driver policy.
• Manage and document incidents in the field and activate incident response system, if needed, per Conservation Legacy policy.

Administration

• Thorough documentation of crew hours, accomplishments, disciplinary actions taken, and incident response according to Conservation Legacy policy and procedure.
• Manage food budget and credit card purchases.
• Track and submit credit card receipts for all expenses every month.

Minimum Qualifications

• Full commitment to the program and its mission.
• Understanding of and experience with the mission and field management considerations of conservation corps and public land agencies.
• Leadership, management, and supervisory experience with youth or young adults.
• Must hold current advanced medical certification (for backcountry crews: 80 hours Wilderness First Responder with CPR/AED or higher; for front country crews: 24 hours Wilderness First Aid with CPR/AED or higher) or be willing to receive certification prior to start date.
• Ability to effectively manage all aspects of crew life and production within a 40-50+ hour work week including managing projects, camping, and programmatic policies and integrity throughout.
• Flexibility, adaptability, and capacity to work in a fluid, changing work environment.
• Willingness to participate in community‑building activities and solution‑oriented problem solving with peer leaders.
• Able to work long days in adverse conditions.
• Must be able to speak, understand and write English.
• High School diploma or GED certificate.
• Must be over the age of 21 or have possessed a driver’s license for 3 or more years, without any restrictions (to pass minimum insurability requirements for crew transport duties).

Preferred Qualifications or a Strong Desire to Grow in the Following

• Experience with experiential and/or environmental education.
• Experience with backpacking, wilderness living and travel.
• Facilitation and team‑building experience with groups of people.
• Time‑management skills and ability to work independently as well as with others.
• Strong conflict resolution skills.
• Technical trails, crosscut or chainsaw, rock work, or other applicable experience & certifications.
• Sense of humor, spirit of adventure, and desire to make a positive difference and promote leadership in others.

Benefits

Health benefits eligible. Employee Assistance Program provided. Food provided while in the field. Uniforms and personal protective equipment also provided.

Training

The term begins with an intensive leadership training focused on practicing outdoor leadership skills, goal setting, technical and field skills, and understanding AZCC procedures/policies. Leads will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities. Following leadership training, Corpsmembers will join leaders for orientation. This week‑long orientation will include trainings such as Wilderness First Aid, Leave No Trace, outdoor living, crew culture, and goal setting. Depending on project needs, crews may receive instruction in herbicide, crosscut saw, chainsaw, or other specialized equipment use. Informal training will continue throughout the term in areas such as tool maintenance, plant identification, and overview of public land management agencies.

Housing

AZCC is an independent, non‑residential program – we do not provide housing. It is advised that all members supply their own outdoor gear and equipment such as a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, day pack, multi‑day pack, work pants, hiking/work boots, etc. because rental supplies are limited and given out on a first‑come first‑served basis. A suggested gear list will be provided before starting the term of service. AZCC will provide the tools, personal protective gear, crew meal budget, and project transportation. Additionally, AZCC has Pro Deals opportunities to receive discounts on some outdoor gear brands.

Contact

Samantha Foster

[e-mail]

Application Period

We will be collecting applications on a rolling basis until September 9th and early applications are highly encouraged.

EEO Statement

Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Criminal History Policy

We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodations due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.