Young Adult Crew Leader, Urban and Community Forestry

LOCATION: Tacoma, WA. This is a community-based crew without housing or camping provided. 

COMPENSATION:  

• $775-$825/week, depending on Crew Leaders’ new/returning status and WFR/WEMT certifications.
• All Crew Leaders receive a $684/week training wage for their 10-day training.

PROGRAM DATES:   

• Crew Leader Training September 8 through September 18, 2026

• Program Dates: September 21 through December 18, 2026

HOURS/TERMS: This is a full-time, session-based position. Typical hours are Monday – Friday (possibly Tuesday-Saturday or even Sunday through Thursday), 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. No overtime will be allowed. Hours may vary due to weather, IFPL levels, training needs, etc.  

ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND:   

Since 1984, Northwest Youth Corps has given tens of thousands of youth and young adults opportunities to learn, grow, and experience success. Through partnerships with conservation agencies, youth and young adults gain the personal and professional skills needed to carry out a variety of stewardship projects, from which they can earn a stipend, high school credit, and/or an AmeriCorps educational award.  

More importantly, these young people gain skills needed to become economically and socially self-sufficient, benefit their communities as citizen stewards, and recognize that they can make a positive difference. NYC also operates an accredited charter school, internship program, and the Idaho Conservation Corps (ICC).  

POSITION SUMMARY:   

Urban Community Forestry (UCF) Young Adult Crew Leaders (CLs) will manage and supervise crews of up to 5 young adults, ages 19-26. Schedules will typically be Monday through Friday; however, schedules may vary for certain training, etc. days. Crew Leaders are responsible for completing a variety of conservation-oriented projects on public and/or private lands and for implementing a safe, highly efficient crew experience, including facilitating work to be performed, managing break times, our education curriculum, and more.  

CLs are well-balanced individuals who work hard and embody compassion, patience, and an inspirational attitude. In many ways, CLs teach our participants how to navigate the project work and social environment with grace and positivity. CLs deliver an impactful, educational experience to young people in their communities. This position can also provide an entry point into the fields of natural resource management, youth development, outdoor education, and more. CLs assist in creating resilient communities through improving urban forest health, reducing wildfire risk, and enhancing urban green spaces in underserved communities.   

Essential Duties and Responsibilities  

• Leadership and Mentorship
• Safety and Risk Management
• Project Management and Implementation
• Education Curriculum

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS:  

• At least 20 years old.
• Pass a criminal history background check.
• Be able to arrive on time to the pre-designated meeting point during all training and service
• Desire to learn and grow.
• Positive mental attitude, flexibility, and commitment to success.
• Excellent judgment
• Consistent attendance and punctuality
• Ability to listen, give and take feedback.
• Desire to go the extra mile to make a positive impact on oneself, others, and the environment.
• Current First Aid/CPR certification or ability to obtain certification before their participation. Reimbursement (up to $40) of this certification is possible upon completion of the session.
• Current Driver’s License and acceptable driving record for the past three years (Driver’s License Background Check required).
• Education in a related field and/or experience in outdoor recreation, environmental education, youth development, or educational fields preferred (Experience in conservation work and/or youth programming will be considered in place of education.)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT: Applicants must be in good physical condition; capable of working on strenuous, labor-intensive projects, as training and work projects often require heavy lifting, constant bending, digging, and being on foot for 8 hours per day.   

• 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 job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions of the position.  

Northwest Youth Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer.