Virginia State Parks Youth Conservation Corps Crew Leader

Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation

Recruitment began on December 30, 2025

and the job listing Expires on January 30, 2026

* Applications MUST be submitted here to be considered **

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is the state’s lead conservation agency, and it takes a diverse agency to conserve resources for a diverse commonwealth.

The mission of Virginia State Park’s Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) is to connect Virginia’s youth with the natural world through a structured program of meaningful service projects on public lands. Youth build trails, friendships, environmental literacy, and self-confidence as they work to preserve access to the outdoors for generations to come. YCC has operated for over two decades as a residential program at select parks for youth consisting of work projects during weekdays and environmental education and adventure opportunities during evenings and weekends.

In 2026, at each participating park, three to four adult Crew Leaders will guide crews of 10 youth aged 14 to 17 in all aspects of work, crew life, and recreation during a two-week session. Under the guidance of the leaders, the crew learns to live and work as a team of diverse individuals with the common goal of improving public lands across the Commonwealth.

Crew leaders will have opportunities for career development training from shadowing a park employee to receiving certification in Red Cross First Aid CPR/AED, Basic Trail Building Training, and Youth Mental Health First Aid. The YCC Crew Leader position is a unique field opportunity, allowing Crew Leaders to enhance their skills in leadership, communication, youth supervision, and program administration. Additionally, this position increases competitiveness for positions with Virginia State Parks and other conservation and recreation agencies and organizations.

Successful Crew Leader applicants must be committed to making every Crew Member’s safe, successful experience their top priority. The duties of a YCC Crew Leader are divided into four main areas: safety, leadership and mentorship, program management and implementation, and administration. These categories correspond with the categories of training that Crew Leaders will receive.

Safety:
Crew Leaders are responsible for supervising Crew Members on and off the worksite. They ensure that Crew Members are wearing proper uniforms and personal protective equipment (PPE), and that they stay hydrated. Crew Leaders also transport crews in 7-8 passenger vehicles around the park and to recreational activities off the park on weekends.

Leadership and Mentorship:
Crew Leaders lead by example and ensure that their crews are following all program rules and guidelines. They also promote individual Crew Member development by creating a healthy teamwork atmosphere that empowers Crew Members to learn and challenge themselves.

Program Management and Implementation:
Crew Leaders are capable of thinking on their feet, while also investing in advanced planning on and off the worksite to ensure the program runs smoothly. This includes navigating interpersonal issues among the crew, communicating frequently via phone and email with park and program staff, taking pictures, and using a Conservation Education Curriculum to enrich the program.

Administration:
Crew Leaders complete and submit documentation including work reports, Crew Member evaluations, program surveys, deliverables, accident reports, and discipline forms. They also oversee budgeting and shopping for groceries for their crews.

The period of employment for YCC Crew Leaders includes a week-long training in June; two 2-week sessions, and time at a park in between sessions, engaging in professional development opportunities. Crew Leaders will have selected days off between sessions.

Head Crew Leaders will be selected based on highly ranked responses to interview questions that reflect a high degree of competency in the skills and abilities called for in the YCC Crew Leader position.