Community Wildfire Protection Crew- Assistant Crew Leader

LOCATION(S): Serve in communities across Oregon while working in a camping-based 10-days-on/4-days-off format.  

Meetup point for the crew located in Eugene, OR. Candidates within a commutable distance from Eugene are preferred. 

BENEFITS: 

• Meals, transportation, and camping accommodations will be provided during 10-day workweeks.
• A total living stipend of $9,888 (before taxes) prorated over a 14-week period, paid monthly.
• AmeriCorps Education Award of $1,956.35 based on the successful completion of the service term.

PROGRAM DATES: 

• Crew Leader Training: September 8th-September 20th, 2026
• Service Term: September 21st-December 18th, 2026
• 10-day camping workweeks are followed by 4 days off for the duration of the session. Crew camps together 24/7 throughout the 10-day workweek.

POSITION SUMMARY: 

CWPC Assistant Crew Leaders (ACLs) will develop skills to manage and supervise crews of up to 5 young adults, ages 19-26. Crew work schedules may vary for certain trainings or types of project work. While in session, ACLs will be responsible for learning and implementing a variety of fuels reduction techniques. Projects will be on private land for homeowners within 100 feet of their home or on public lands. Saw work does not include felling of large trees and consists of non-complex, A-level sawyer scope. CWPC crews do not actively put out fires/dig fire lines, and they are not prescription burn crews. 

Assistant Leads will develop skills and help crew leads implement a safe and efficient crew experience, including facilitation and communication of work, communicating crew meal and break times, facilitation of educational curriculum. position can also provide an entry-point into the fields of natural resource management, youth development, outdoor education, and more. ACLs assist in creating resilient communities in the face of catastrophic wildfire. 

POSITION DETAILS:  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities  

Leadership and Mentorship:  

• ACLs manage, supervise, and participate in all aspects of crew work from hauling rocks to stacking brush and much more. ACLs maintain crew discipline, resolve conflicts, and establishes/maintains crew morale.

Safety and Risk Management:  

• Oversee the physical and emotional safety of crew members. Safety is the number one priority in everything we do, including work, education, and recreation. This includes not only the physical safety of participants but also their mental and emotional safety.
• ACLs may be responsible for transporting the crew and equipment to and from the worksite daily, safely in a Northwest Youth Corps fleet vehicle.

Education Curriculum:  

• ACLs implement daily lessons based on Northwest Youth Corps’ education curriculum (SEED), which incorporates environmental education, life skills development, nutrition and health, and job readiness credentials.
• ACLs are encouraged to bring their own positive skills and experiences to the education curriculum and use natural surroundings for teachable moments.

Department Supervision and Collaborations 

• This position is directly supervised by a CWPC Crew Leader and indirectly supervises CWPC Crew Members through the Crew Leader.

Position Qualifications and Certifications   

• At least 20 years old.
• Current Driver’s License and acceptable driving record for the past three years (Driver’s License Background Check required).
• Current WFA/CPR certification required before session start date. Applicants must obtain certification before their employment.
• Desire to learn and grow.
• Positive mental attitude, flexibility, and commitment to success.
• Excellent judgment and ability to listen, give and take feedback.
• Desire to go the extra mile to make a positive impact on oneself, others and the environment.
• Education in a related field and/or experience in outdoor recreation, environmental education, youth development or educational fields preferred.
• Recreational/professional outdoor experience.
• Excellent organization and time management skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively and promote teamwork.
• Strong communication, good judgment, and decision-making skills.
• Sense of humor, spirit of adventure, and desire to make a positive difference in the lives of others and the environment.
• Seek to remove barriers to participation in outdoor programs for underrepresented populations.

Physical Demands/Work Environment  

• Physical Condition: Applicants in good physical condition, capable of working long hours on strenuous, labor-intensive projects are preferred as NYC’s work projects often require heavy lifting, constant bending, digging, and long hikes to and from the worksite.
• Work Environment: temperature, noise level, inside or outside, or other factors that will affect the person’s working conditions while performing the position.
• Applicants must be prepared to spend most of the time with the crew as the crews are expected to remain together during weekends/non-working hours.

Northwest Youth Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer.