Polk County Conservation Youth Corps - Senior Crew Leader
Under direct supervision, assists with coordinating daily operations of Polk County Conservation's Youth Corps crews. This position supports seasonal maintenance of county conservation board lands and leads environmental education and outdoor skills lessons for youth crews. The majority of the work is performed in an outdoor environment and requires a flexible work schedule that may include evenings and weekends.
Illustrative Examples of Work
- Serves as a co-leader for a crew of up to 10 youth with a desire to make a difference in the lives of teenagers
- Supervises, motivates, and encourages crew members, in a variety of scenarios and situations, to restore and protect habitat, appreciate the outdoors and learn life skills
- Serves as a positive role model and mentor, fostering environmental awareness and a strong work ethic in crew members
- Instructs crew members in safe operation of tools and equipment and enforces safe practices
- Leads crew to complete projects that may include invasive species removal, trail maintenance, painting, small carpentry projects, campground maintenance, trash removal, seed harvest, tree planting, etc.
- Lead educational and recreational activities that may involve following a lesson plan, facilitating group discussions, leading activities, or teaching recreation such as canoeing, fishing, camping, fire building, etc.
- Manages daily activities and work projects by communicating expectations to crew members
- Completes necessary paperwork including but not limited to incident reports, crew member check-in, pre-and post-program surveys, daily work logs, and tool and equipment inventory
- Assists with administrative tasks as needed to support seasonal crews.
- Communicates effectively while taking a leadership initiative
- Upholds and demonstrates the Polk County Conservation Youth Corps Code of Conduct at all times
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Knowledge of basic conservation practices, outdoor recreation skills, and current environmental issues
- Ability to lead, direct, and creatively motivate socio-economically and ethnically diverse teenage work crews ages 15-18
- Ability to create a positive and inclusive environment welcoming to diverse backgrounds and cultures
- Ability to work outdoors for long periods in adverse weather conditions (heat, humidity, rain, etc.)
- Ability to complete heavy physical labor tasks (extensive lifting, bending, digging) and requires the use of various equipment, trailers, and vehicles including tool maintenance
- Ability to lift and carry loads up to 50 pounds in all terrains and hike up to 5 miles
- Ability to use basic forestry and construction equipment (shovels, rakes, pruners, loppers, etc.)
- Ability to coordinate project tasks and logistics
- Adaptable and active problem solver when faced with changing conditions
- CPR/First Aid certified and current preferred but not required
Training and Experience
- Graduation from an accredited college or institute with an Associate's Degree in Environmental Science, Forestry, Education, Social Work or similar degree or experience working with youth
- Prior work experience involving teenage youth preferred
- Prior experience leadership experience with peers
- Any equivalent combination of training and experience which will have provided the required knowledge, skills, and abilities as listed above
- Must attend the Youth Corps Crew Leader Orientation to include Conservation and Equipment Skills training, and Youth Diversity training
Special Requirements:
- Must be at least 19 years of age
- Pre-employment background check is required
- Pre-employment physical is required
- Pre-employment Physical Capacity testing is required
- A drug screen may be required
- Must be able to obtain/maintain a Certified Pesticide Applicators license issued by the State of Iowa, in one or more of the following, Categories 2, 5, 6
- Must be able to obtain/maintain a valid Iowa Class D (chauffer's) Driver's License or equivalent
Salary:
New Hire: $14.00