Wildland Restoration Team Leader

Montana Conservation Corps; Bozeman (MT); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

A community service organization is seeking a Crew Leader to oversee and lead conservation projects throughout Montana. This role includes managing crew dynamics, ensuring safety, and delivering training in various skills necessary for success on projects. Candidates should be committed to community service and comfortable working in outdoor settings for extended periods. This position requires a high school degree or GED and the ability to work in diverse environments.

Qualifications

• 21+ years old by the start date.
• Ability to pass a National Service Criminal History Check.
• Strong desire to serve the community and environment.
• 21+ years old by start date.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to pass MVR check.
• 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 abilities.
• Wilderness Advanced First Aid/CPR training available or required.
• Service-oriented, flexible, and able to work long hours in all weather.
• Able to be away on overnight trips up to 10 days; commit to term.
• MCC welcomes applicants of diverse backgrounds.

Responsibilities

• Oversee 3-4 adult crew members on conservation projects.
• Ensure safety during all MCC activities and projects.
• Guide, support, and assist Crew Members for project completion.
• Maintain safety culture and enforce MCC policies and procedures.
• Support Crew Member development and provide opportunities for leadership.
• Provide technical, logistical, and instructional support to crews.
• Teach camp-life skills and Leave-No-Trace practices.
• Represent MCC professionally and promote a positive public image.
• Attend MCC service days and assist in civic engagement activities.
• Complete administrative duties including timesheets and reports.

Skills

Effective communication skills

Service ethic

Ability to hike

Leadership skills

Problem solving

Education

High school degree or GED

Tools

Hand and power tools

Job description

Position Summary: The Crew Leader (CL) will assist in the successful completion of MCC natural resource and community service projects, on- site management, and monitoring of crew dynamics to ensure a high level of crew motivation and functioning, as well as the delivery of the full range of MCC program components. CL's oversee 3-4 adult crew members on 4-9-day overnight conservation projects. CL's may lead a crew solo, with a co-leader, or an assistant-leader. CL's will oversee adults who are 17-30 years old (up to 35 for veterans) and come from a variety of backgrounds and locations throughout the country. This is not a 9-5 job, but rather a commitment to service and an experience where long hours and extended time away from your home base are to be expected. Serving as a CL at MCC means having passion for: service to others, wild lands, wild places, and personal growth. 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. The CL is the primary in-field liaison between regional staff and the on-site project partner or technical advisor. The CL will also establish and maintain a good working relationship with other partner personnel, Crew Members, MCC staff and volunteers who come into contact with the crew.

Crew Leaders understand that commitment, flexibility and self-motivation are integral to maintaining high expectations. Crew Leaders guide and support members to ensure their growth, safety, and well-being while completing quality projects. They foster leadership skills and manage conflict to promote individual and crew success. They are creative in their approach to problem solving and motivating others, and are invested in the idea that their personal development and growth as a leader are most fully realized when used in service to their crews, their communities and the environment.

Project Duties: Not all CLs will serve on all types of projects. Project & Crew types may shift during the season.

• Wildland Restoration Teams: Identification, treatment and inventory of invasive plant species. Utilizing chemical, mechanical and biological treatment techniques. Projects may include chainsaw use. Wetlands and habitat restoration projects: including managing invasive plants through herbicide application, seed collection, and/ or various stream restoration techniques listed below. Projects are often rigorous, requiring participants to carry a heavy backpack sprayer in hot weather across rugged terrain while wearing protective gear.
• (Mesic/ Stream Restoration): Stream restoration includes re-vegetation, early detection and rapid response of new invaders. Beaver mimicry and in-stream beaver-dam analog construction, a simple, effective, and non-invasive approach to riparian restoration. This effectively slows down and spreads water over the landscape to expand critical habitat, mitigate wildfire, reduce invasive species and increase water availability in traditionally parched times of year.

Duties may also 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. Crews may be deployed for natural disaster relief.

Programmatic Duties:

• Actively participate in MCC’s Leadership Development Program, gain knowledge of, and demonstrate investment in, MCC’s ability to fulfill its mission
• Guide, support and assist Crew Members to ensure quality project performance, safety, and crew well being
• Communicate and organize service projects in conjunction with the partner/land management agency’s technical advisor; ensure project completion to the satisfaction of partner expectations
• Ensure safety as the top priority during all MCC activities and projects; promote a ‘culture of safety’ with emphasis on adherence to MCC policies and procedures
• Make recommendations to regional staff for fair and appropriate behavior management of Crew Members as needed
• Oversee implementation of all elements of the Crew Member Development program, including delivery of MCC’s formal education curriculum, ensuring successful Crew Member performance of crew roles and by providing opportunities for Crew Members feel empowered to take on leadership role
• Provide technical, logistical, and leadership support to crews and teach Crew Members essential skills—including situational awareness, proper tool use, ergonomics, and partner-approved project methods—to ensure safety and high-quality project completion.
• Teach Crew Members all relevant camp-life skills, including, but not limited to: leave-no-trace ethics, group kitchen setup/use, hygiene methods and waste management
• Promote a positive public image for MCC by wearing the MCC uniform and acting in a professional and respectful manner at all times while representing MCC
• Attend and assist in MCC-hosted service days with members of the community and other MCC events
• Fulfill other program-specific requirements such as those focused on civic engagement
• Create a welcoming environment for all

Administrative Duties:

• Provide information for development and evaluation of Crew Members; including both positive feedback and areas of potential improvement
• Maintain accurate records, including timesheets, personnel, Crew Member development, inventory, safety and project records
• Complete and submit required reports and other paperwork in a timely manner

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
• 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

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

This position description is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. All Montana Conservation Corps positions may be required to perform duties beyond those listed.