Wildland Restoration Team Leader

Position Summary: The Crew Leader (CL) will assist in the successful completion of MCC natural resource and community service projects, on- site management, and monitoring of crew dynamics to ensure a high level of crew motivation and functioning, as well as the delivery of the full range of MCC program components. CL's oversee 3-4 adult crew members on 4-9-day overnight conservation projects.

CL's may lead a crew solo, with a co-leader, or an assistant-leader. CL's will oversee adults who are 17-30 years old (up to 35 for veterans) and come from a variety of backgrounds and locations throughout the country. This is not a 9-5 job, but rather a commitment to service and an experience where long hours and extended time away from your home base are to be expected.

Serving as a CL at MCC means having passion for: service to others, wild lands, wild places, and personal growth. Crews will camp for the full duration of a hitch (i.e. 4-9-day project assignment), oftentimes in remote locations on varied terrain and in all weather conditions. Camping accommodations vary, including car-camping and remote backcountry settings away from a vehicle. The CL is the primary in-field liaison between regional staff and the on-site project partner or technical advisor.

The CL will also establish and maintain a good working relationship with other partner personnel, Crew Members, MCC staff and volunteers who come into contact with the crew.

Crew Leaders understand that commitment, flexibility and self-motivation are integral to maintaining high expectations. Crew Leaders guide and support members to ensure their growth, safety, and well-being while completing quality projects. They foster leadership skills and manage conflict to promote individual and crew success. They are creative in their approach to problem solving and motivating others, and are invested in the idea that their personal development and growth as a leader are most fully realized when used in service to their crews, their communities and the environment.

Project Duties: Not all CLs will serve on all types of projects. Project & Crew types may shift during the season.

• Wildland Restoration Teams: Identification, treatment and inventory of invasive plant species. Utilizing chemical, mechanical and biological treatment techniques. Projects may include chainsaw use. Wetlands and habitat restoration projects: including managing invasive plants through herbicide application, seed collection, and/ or various stream restoration techniques listed below. Projects are often rigorous, requiring participants to carry a heavy backpack sprayer in hot weather across rugged terrain while wearing protective gear.
• (Mesic/ Stream Restoration): Stream restoration includes re-vegetation, early detection and rapid response of new invaders. Beaver mimicry and in-stream beaver-dam analog construction, a simple, effective, and non-invasive approach to riparian restoration. This effectively slows down and spreads water over the landscape to expand critical habitat, mitigate wildfire, reduce invasive species and increase water availability in traditionally parched times of year.

Duties may also include building or maintaining trails, treating or removing invasive species, building fences, operating chainsaws to reduce wildfire risks by thinning trees, among many other types of projects. Crews may be deployed for natural disaster relief.

• Actively participate in MCC’s Leadership Development Program, gain knowledge of, and demonstrate investment in, MCC’s ability to fulfill its mission
• Guide, support and assist Crew Members to ensure quality project performance, safety, and crew well being
• Communicate and organize service projects in conjunction with the partner/land management agency’s technical advisor; ensure project completion to the satisfaction of partner expectations
• Ensure safety as the top priority during all MCC activities and projects; promote a ‘culture of safety’ with emphasis on adherence to MCC policies and procedures
• Make recommendations to regional staff for fair and appropriate behavior management of Crew Members as needed
• Oversee implementation…