Conservation Crew Leader

DATES:  

• Leader Training: May 28- June 10, 2026

• Session 1: June 13- July 18, 2026

• Session 2: July 25- August 29, 2026

LOCATION: Start/end in Eugene, OR. Projects take place in parks, campgrounds, and natural areas throughout Oregon, Idaho, and Washington. 

BENEFITS:  

• $8,400 living allowance

• $2,817.14 AmeriCorps Education Award

• Camping, food, and training provided

• Gain industry-sought technical skills, certifications, experience, and references to open career pathways

• Network with conservation nonprofits and land management agency personnel

POSITION OVERVIEW:  

• Connect people with nature

• Impact the lives of young people

• Teach job-skills and education lessons

• Accomplish meaningful service projects

Youth crew leaders will lead, manage, and support conservation crews of youth ages 16-18, along with a fellow co-crew leader. Crews include approximately 8 youth members and 2 leaders. Youth members come from across the country to camp, work, and learn together, restoring wild places. 

As a co-leader, you will be responsible for ensuring the physical and emotional welfare of your crew. You’ll work together on hands-on, conservation-oriented projects on federal, state, and private lands, and facilitate short daily lessons with our accredited outdoor education curriculum. 

This is hard work. You’ll wake up early on frosty mornings to get your crew started and will camp in tents for two 5-week programs in succession, with occasional days off. Projects are physically challenging; you’ll train your crew to safely use hand tools to build trails, cut down invasive plants, and restore natural areas in remote mountains and high deserts. The youth you work with will challenge you to be the best leader you can be, and you’ll watch them grow as a team during the summer of a lifetime. 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:  

• At least 20 years old

• Current Wilderness First Aid (or higher) and CPR certification, or willingness to obtain prior to employment start date. Wilderness First Aid certifications must include an in-person component

• Current Driver’s License and willingness and ability to frequently drive an NYC vehicle, transporting the crew and equipment

• Must pass a criminal background check and have an acceptable driving record for the past three years

• Recreational/professional outdoor experience, accustomed to living for periods of time without modern conveniences

• Prior experience working with youth/teens

• Experience/desire in working with populations of wide backgrounds

• Excellent organization, time management, punctuality, judgment, and communication skills

• Ability to work collaboratively and thrive in a team setting

• Spirit of adventure and desire to make a positive difference in the lives of others and the environment

• Support the continued growth and delivery of Inclusion and Belonging initiatives and seek to remove barriers to participation in NYC programs for underrepresented populations

Northwest Youth Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer.