Wildland Restoration Team Leader

Wildland Restoration Team Leader

Wildland Restoration Teams in Bozeman, Missoula, and Kalispell work with a diverse range of stakeholders (private, government, and non-profit) in order to achieve large scale land conservation efforts with rural communities throughout the state of Montana. This is a great opportunity for current students, recent college graduates, or anyone who has an interest in restoration to gain practical field experience in a rapidly growing area of conservation, with and a strong potential for future career paths.  Wildland Restoration Teams mitigate invasive plants through mechanical, chemical, and biological efforts. Crew use herbicide to manage invasive weeds, and MCC provides professional level training in the safe use and transport of chemicals. Wildland Restoration Teams manage invasive weeds in the remote Selway Bitterroot Wilderness, the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, The Payette National Forest, Glacier National Park, and on the breathtaking plains of eastern Montana. Crew Leaders also earn Herbicide Applicator Licenses (expect for the Mesic Crews), a certification through the State of Montana that is vital to future careers in invasive management. 

Wildland Restoration Teams (Mesic Restoration) in Helena will participate in a variety of innovative wetlands and habitat restoration projects, with a main focus on mesic restoration techniques including beaver mimicry and in-stream beaver-dam analog construction, a simple, effective, and non-invasive approach to riparian restoration.  Crews will construct beaver mimicry structures (Low Tech Process Based Restoration) to effectively slow down and spread water over the landscape to expand critical habitat, mitigate wildfire, reduce invasive species and increase water availability in traditionally parched times of year.  Studies have shown that these stream remediation efforts in the treated watershed mitigated the effects of drought, reduced the risk of catastrophic wildfire and flooding, improved water quality, expanded critical wildlife habitat and created a micro-climate with reduced air and water temperatures. Projects are often rigorous, requiring participants to carry and use heavy power equipment and work in hot weather across rugged terrain while wearing protective gear.

As a crew leader, you will work to oversee 3-4 adult crew members on 4-9 day overnight conservation projects on some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the Northern Rockies and Plains. Wildland Restoration Teams are typically led by a solo leader. The crew you will oversee will be made up of adults who are 17-30 years old and come from a variety of backgrounds and locations throughout the country. Crew Leaders will be responsible for helping to facilitate crew member growth, manage conflict on their crew, and support the crew in completing quality project work in the field. 

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. Project work is physically demanding, and could include habitat restoration, mesic restoration, planting, backcountry work, and more. Learn more about the variety of project work here!