Young Adult Conservation Crew Leader

Conservation Begins Here.

The Student Conservation Association (SCA), Americas #1 conservation service organization seeks qualified applicants to lead, educate, and inspire high school students for the Chicago Conservation Leadership Corps summer program.

Program Dates: Monday- Thursday 8am-3:30pm June 5th-November 16th

Training Dates: SCA Training in June Location TBD

Local Training Dates: June 26th, June 30th

Location: Chicagoland area, Cook County Illinois

Primary Responsibilities:

Co-lead, supervise, transport, and mentor a team of 5 young ages 18-22 for five weeks (Mon-Thurs, 28 hours/week). Complete an assortment of hands-on conservation and restoration projects within different areas in the Forest Preserves of Cook County and plan and lead weekly educational field days. Communicating with Forest Preserve staff to complete and track projects. Administrative and reporting duties are required as they relate to data management, photo documentation, and youth assessments. Crew leaders will also be expected to facilitate a provided environmental education curriculum, as well as complete a summer final report on the program.

During the summer the crew will begin as Assistant Crew Leaders (ACLs) for our Chicago Conservation Leadership Corp (CCLC) High School Program, and the crew leaders will be helping facilitate work projects with crews on the field. At the end of the program the crew will return together to continue their education and obtain certifications.

Specifically, the Crew Leader will:

• Act as a Crew Supervisor, by facilitating teamwork, managing field-based tasks, and guiding crew dynamics

• Serve as an Advisor, by training members in technical conservation work skills, mentoring personal and professional development, and teaching environmental stewardship

• Act as a Project Manager, by communicating with agency park partners, ensuring successful and timely completion of work projects, and upholding a positive representation of SCA

• Perform tasks as a Program Administrator, by organizing logistics, completing documentation, managing a budget, and communicating with SCA staff

Qualifications:

• Experience working with youth or young adults, teaching or environmental education a plus

• Experience with conservation work skills or related skills preferred i.e. trail maintenance, trail construction, habitat restoration, chainsaw, carpentry, landscaping, and gardening

• Ability to perform manual, physical labor for up to 8 hours per day, exposed to the elements and most occasionally lift and/or move 40 pounds or more

• Current First Aid and CPR certification required by the start of training

• Must be able to attend both SCA and Local Crew Leader training:

• Must be a minimum of 25 years of age

• Must have ability to legally work in the US

• Must have a valid drivers license for 3+ years and MVR that meets SCA standards

• Must be able to meet SCAs criminal background check standards

• Must be able to obtain a State of Illinois herbicide license or are willing to obtain one before program start date;

• Knowledge of mid-western ecology, or knowledge of the forest preserves is a big plus

• Conditions of Employment:

• Beginning on 1/18/22, all new SCA program participants are required to be fully vaccinated. Up to date vaccination is defined as having received a booster shot six months after the Pfizer and Moderna primary series and two months after the Johnson & Johnson primary series. Visit the following website for more information, including medical and religious exemptions: www.thesca.org/covid

Compensation: $23.00 an hour -28 hours/ 24 weeks, paid training

Leadership1957

SCA is an EOE dedicated to workforce diversity.

For more information about SCA, visit us at www.theSCA.org