CREW LEADER

Job Description

Job Description

2026 CREW LEADER

(JANUARY- DECEMBER)

ABOUT EARTHCORPS :

EarthCorps (EC) is a Seattle-based nonprofit organization that believes all people and nature can thrive together. Our aim is to create a global community of environmental leaders through local, hands-on service to the land and community.  Putting our mission into action looks like an intensive year-long training program that unites young adults (ages 18-26ish) from across the United States and around the world to learn skills in leadership, environmental restoration, and culturally resonant community building.

EarthCorps is committed to work that closes persistent and pervasive gaps, expands access and opportunity and promotes values of fairness in outcomes, belonging and respect. We prioritize fair access to environmental benefits, community-centered environmental practices, and balancing environmental outcomes across under-included communities. Each year, we strive to build a cohort program reflective of many different perspectives and experiences.  Through this lens, EarthCorps builds a network of leaders who have the skills to build a bright future, while restoring vital lands and waters and connecting people to nature. This work is ongoing, and the organization is committed to being transparent with program participants about our work, as well as including their input to drive the direction of the organization towards a healthy, welcoming, and sustainable community for us all.

CREW LEADER PROGRAM :

The EarthCorps program is an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in environmental restoration. Crewleaders act as mentors for crews of 5-7 members. Crews make a difference on the land through on-the-ground restoration projects throughout Western Washington. Crews at EarthCorps have an opportunity to directly improve the resiliency of our land by restoring habitat, improving water and air quality, reducing erosion, sequestering carbon and engaging the broader community to become stewards of our shared resource.

Crew Leads guide environmental restoration projects throughout the Puget Sound region (in urban, suburban, and rural settings). The Crew Lead is responsible for : project coordination between land management agencies, EarthCorps project managers, and 5-6 Crew Members; facilitation of crew safety and well-being, productivity, morale and quality of work; and Crew Member training and education in the field.

In addition to impactful service, Crewleaders will grow professionally and personally through training, engaging with environmental agencies, collaborating with staff, providing feedback, and practicing structured reflection.  Crewleaders learn values-driven team building and leadership skills as they work on bridging a wide range of lived experiences and backgrounds, their cross-cultural communication skills, and conflict resolution management.

This position is supervised by the EarthCorps Operations Manager, managed by EarthCorps project managers, and is offered through AmeriCorps. As such, all applicants must meet the requirements to become an AmeriCorps member and abide by AmeriCorps policies.

PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES, RESPONSIBILITIES AND INTENDED OUTCOMES :

Crew Leadership & Delegation : Crew leading provides individuals with an opportunity to experience a peer leadership model as they work on restoration projects alongside crew members. Crew leaders receive an orientation that prepares them to teach and coach members on their crew. Mentoring others in restoration strengthens skills in communication, delegation, team building and interpersonal support. Additional Crew Leading responsibilities include :

• Motivates, directs and coordinates a crew of young adults in a structured program of service, restoration, and training.
• Coaches the crew to achieve quality results, monitors safety and efficiency of crew work.
• Encourages crew morale and supports teamwork amongst corps members.
• Clarifies the standards of behavior as well as policies and procedures of EarthCorps and ensures adherence to program goals and mission, including attendance policies.
• Leads by example while serving alongside corps members.

Coordination & Project Implementation : Crew leaders develop project management skills over the course of the term of service as they implement and coordinate projects with the support of project managers. Through their work on projects, crew leaders develop skills in project planning, risk management, problem solving, and environmental restoration techniques.

Vegetation control (manual, / mechanical, chemical) 45%

Education, Training and Instruction :

Communication :

SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL DEMONSTRATE THE FOLLOWING :

Crew leading is a challenging experience! We are looking for some mix (or all!) of the following past experiences and capacities to make sure individuals are successful in this role :

Restoration is a physically demanding service that takes place outdoors in all weather conditions. Each year, new members consistently underestimate the physical and mental requirements. Crew Leaders must both have the capacity to perform restoration tasks in challenging physical situations and the ability to motivate others. Service regularly involves :

Please consider the nature of the work prior to applying and let us know if you have any specific questions or concerns.

Regarding our COVID policy, circumstances may dictate that masks or distancing will be required during the course of service. This may include the wearing of face coverings and necessary distancing between crew members in the field, among other crew protocols.

CREW LEADER TERMS OF SERVICE :

BENEFITS :

We encourage applicants from all racial, ethnic, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds, sexual orientations, and gender identities to apply, especially those from historically marginalized communities.