Crew Leader

The Colorado Legends & Legacies Youth Corps (CLLYC) is a regional, non-profit, AmeriCorps -affiliated organization based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, whose crews work on public lands throughout the southern Front Range; Custer, El Paso, Fremont, Huerfano, Las Animas, Pueblo, and Teller counties.

The majority of CLLYC's program will be a residential program, with crews camping in either front-country or backcountry settings. CLLYC serves a diverse population that is representative of the southern Front Range region, including at-risk youth, college graduates, and a cross-section of ethnicities and income levels.

Position Overview:

A crew is comprised of 7-8 crewmembers (16-24 years old) working together to complete conservation work projects on public lands and in communities.

The Colorado Legends and Legacies Youth Corps Crew Leader positions require individuals who are skilled problem-solvers, experienced leaders and positive role models.  Crew leaders manage a demanding work and living schedule and will be responsible for creating a valuable experience for the crewmembers.

Leaders will be responsible for facilitating environmental education, life skills, transferable work skills, and safe, positive group living skills to their crew.  Leaders must possess a strong work ethic, promote high quality work performance in their crew, and have a desire to devote themselves to field-based work and youth development for an entire summer. Both positions require both supervisory and technical aptitude, in addition to a high level of comfort in the outdoors.   

Responsibilities:

• Manage, supervise, and participate in day-to-day details of crew life in camp and at work.
• Monitor, manage, and promote crew's physical and emotional safety on and off the work site.
• Train and motivate a crew of ten young adults to efficiently complete conservation projects on public lands.
• Coordinate with the project sponsors and the Executive Director.
• Implement environmental and life skills lessons at work projects and in evenings.
• Complete professional documentation of time sheets, daily and weekly reports, and other required documentation.
• Conduct Crewmember evaluations, report incidents and corrective actions formally and in a timely manner.
• Manage petty cash, gas cards and food budget for crew.
• Transport crew safely in CLLYC's vehicles.
• Promote individual Crewmember development and a healthy crew community.

General Qualifications:

• High School diploma or GED required. Bachelor's Degree preferred.
• Must be a minimum of 21 years old and eligible to work in the United States.
• Familiarity with the safe use of basic hand tools. Conservation, construction or landscaping experience preferred.
• Experience with youth development, environmental education, youth employment and training, or facilitation of life skills activities. Familiarity with the youth corps model preferred.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Physically fit, able to work long days in adverse conditions.
• Ability to adhere to the CLLYC policy which prohibits smoking, alcohol and drug use while serving as an employee.
• Current First Aid and CPR certifications
• Knowledge of Leave No Trace camping techniques.
• Ability to implement CLLYC policies and procedures.
• Leadership experience, preferably with diverse young adults and at a peer level and team building skills
• Desire to make a difference in the lives of crewmembers and the communities.
• Must have reliable transportation, copy of Motor Vehicle record required upon hiring.
• Possess a good driving record and current driver's license.
• Criminal background check required upon hiring.

Specific Program Qualifications

Camping Conservation Crew

• Wilderness First Responder of higher preferred
• Chainsaw experience highly preferred
• Previous corps experience preferred
• Proficiency in backpacking and camping at altitude, preferably with leadership experience
• Experience with trail construction and maintenance, fencing, planting required

Wildfire Prevention/Sawyer Crew

• Wilderness First Responder or higher required
• S212 training and thinning experience required
• Previous Corps experience preferred
• High level of proficiency in backpacking and camping at altitude (preferably with leadership experience) required
• Eradication of noxious weeds and herbicide application experience preferred

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, sit and talk or listen. The employee is required to use hands to operate tools or controls, and to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to focus. The employee is frequently required to drive a CLLYC vehicle, and must be able to speak, understand, read and write English. The employee will be required to camp for 2-3 weeks at a time. 

All Crew Leaders and Assistant Crew Leaders are required to attend the CYCA statewide training the week of May 18-23, 2008

Position Type: Field-based, seasonal, full-time, exempt
Location:   Camping crew - seven counties along southern Front Range. Day Crew - Colorado Springs and El Paso County.

Compensation: $400 - $550/week, depending on experience and qualifications.

Benefits: Food while camping, uniform, training, and some travel.

Position Start Date: Please refer to description for each program/crew. Openings for Camping Crew and Sawyer Crew: http://www.cllyc.org/.

To Apply:

Complete the Crew Leader Application. Email or mail completed application with your resume and contact information for 3 professional references.                        

Colorado Legends and Legacies Youth Corps
1506 N. Hancock Ave.
Colorado Springs, CO 80903