Crew Leader Positions

Reports to: Regional Program Manager

Classification: AmeriCorps Participant

Position Summary:

The Assistant Crew Leader (ACL) will assist in the successful completion of MCC natural resource and community  service projects, on-site management of 4-6 participants, 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 while learning advanced  leadership skills from their Primary Crew Leader (PCL). This job is not a 9-5, rather a commitment to service and an  experience where long hours and extended time away from your home base are expected. Serving as an ACL at MCC means  having a passion for service to others, for wildlands and wild places, for personal growth, or any number of MCC’s values.  Leaders and their crews will camp for most of their term, often in remote locations in varied terrain and all weather  conditions. The CL is the primary in-field liaison between regional staff and the on-site project partner or technical advisor,  generally an employee of the land management agency or group working with the crew. The ACL will also establish and  maintain a good working relationship with their Primary CL (PCL), other partner personnel, Crew Members, MCC staff, and  volunteers who come in contact with the crew. The ACL will be in a leadership learning position that prioritizes Crew Member  development through program delivery, project duties, and adherence to MCC policies and procedures.  

Assistant Crew Leaders understand that commitment, flexibility, and self-motivation are integral to maintaining high  expectations. They use their pre-season and in-season leadership training, experience, and commitment to collaborate with  their PCL to facilitate their crew’s development. They are open to learning from their PCL, being creative in their approach  to problem-solving, and motivating others. They are also 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: Duties may 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. Not all CMs will serve on  all types of projects. Crews may be deployed for natural disaster relief.  

Some crews may spend the majority of their term on a specific crew type, these may include but are not limited to: 

• Forestry Crews: Duties may include Tree Species ID, Timber Stand Assessment, Tree Marking, Timber  Sale Boundary Marking, Tree Planting, Silviculture Prescriptions, Reforestation Plot Surveying, Chainsaw  Operations/Maintenance, Precommercial Thinning, Fireline/Fuelbreak Operations, Biochar generation,  and more. 
• Fuels and Fields: These crews may have a high proportion of chainsaw use, fireline construction, forest  health monitoring activities, and wildland fuels mitigation projects. 

Programmatic Duties:

• Establish a working relationship and training goals with their PCL while actively participating in the portion of MCC’s Leadership Development Program that is available to them, gaining knowledge of, and demonstrating investment in  MCC’s approach to fulfilling its mission  
• This is a leadership learning position; must be willing to learn from and partner with PCL 
• Collaborate with PCL to define specific crew responsibilities that the ACL will be the lead on 
• 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 procedure 
• Make recommendations to regional staff for fair and appropriate behavior management of Crew Members  as needed  
• With their PCL, help oversee implementation of all elements of the Crew Member Development program,  including delivery of MCC’s formal education curriculum, ensuring successful Crew Member performance of crew  roles, and by providing opportunities for Crew Members to feel empowered to take on leadership roles  
• Instruct Crew Members in all relevant technical project skills necessary to promote safety and high-quality  project completion. Skills include, but are not limited to: situational awareness, proper tool use,  ergonomics/body mechanics, and appropriate methods for project implementation which meet partner agency  standards  
• Teach Crew Members all relevant camp-life skills, including, but not limited to: leave-no-trace ethics, group  kitchen setup/use, hygiene methods, and waste management  
• Provide technical, logistical, and leadership support to crews and individual Crew Members  
• Promote a positive public image for MCC by wearing the MCC uniform and acting in a professional and respectful  manner at all times while representing MCC  
• Attend and assist in MCC-hosted service days with members of the community and other MCC  events 
• Fulfill other program-specific requirements such as those focused on civic engagement  
• Create a welcoming environment for all 

Administrative Duties:

• Provide information for development and evaluation of Crew Members; including both positive feedback and  areas of potential improvement  
• Maintain accurate records, including timesheets, personnel, Crew Member development, inventory, safety,  and project records  
• Complete and submit required reports and other paperwork in a timely manner 

Qualifications:

• High school degree, GED, or willingness to pursue obtaining a GED 
• US Citizen, National or Lawful Permanent Resident 
• Ability to pass a National Service Criminal History Check 
• Ability to eventually hike 3-20 miles per day in terrain that can be steep, rocky or uneven, often wearing a 45lb backpack  while carrying tools and sometimes backpacking with full packs of 60 – 70lbs 
• Ability to lift up to 35 pounds repeatedly and use hand and power tools 
• Effective written and oral communication skills 
• Ability to obtain Wilderness First Aid training. (Training is reimbursable to allotted amount/ MCC provides training) 
• Strong service ethic and desire to serve the community and the environment 
• Willingness to serve long hours in all weather conditions  
• Ability to be away on overnight trips for up to 10 days at a time 
• Commitment to completing term; available for duration of entire term of service 

Desired Additional Qualifications

• Valid driver’s license, ability to pass a Motor Vehicle Records check (Age 21+ required to drive MCC vehicles)  

While this position description describes the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position, it is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. All Montana Conservation Corps positions may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities.