Crew Leader Positions
Leading a crew for the VYCC is an adventure unlike any you've ever had before! As a member of our Field Staff you will serve as a teacher, work supervisor, and a role model. You will be responsible for building a community, ensuring the health and safety of your crew, and teaching both life and job skills. In addition, you will be responsible for professionally managing your work project and ensuring high-quality standards. You will also stretch your comfort zones and bask in the sweet rewards that follow.
The Corps Members you work with will be between the ages of 16 and 24 and from all walks of life. The VYCC hires Corps Members of varied interests and talents, representing many social, economic, and geographical backgrounds. The combination of a diverse crew, excellent leaders, and high-priority conservation projects creates a dynamic and educationally-rich experience.
Your season will begin with a paid staff training during which we will focus on teaching both technical and interpersonal skills needed to be a successful leader at the VYCC, while also drawing out your own strengths and enhancing your existing skills. Once your crew arrives, you will use what you've learned to transform your crew from a varied group of strangers into a tight-knit community. It will not be easy, but leading a group of young people in the completion of a one mile trail reroute, stabilizing river banks, or a summer of managing a State Park contact station will teach you and your crew lessons you will use for the rest of your lives.
Conservation Crew Leader: Wilderness, Roving, Community, Leadership Development, & Park Crews
Year-Round School Instructors
“Each of our Corps Members walked away from this experience with a stronger work ethic and pride in their ability to work in a group with diverse individuals, more sense of their own leadership style, and confidence to make sound judgments.” – Wilderness Crew Leader
I learned that I like getting into the personal details of what makes someone who they are. I learned how to ask the questions that will promote deep thinking and reflection. I learned the importance of reflection for growth. I learned that I still like working really hard and getting muddy.-Amanda, 2008 Crew Leader
My Crew Leaders were amazing. They are super nice people who were both really into having fun while making sure we worked hard and did a thorough job. They were also both really passionate about the environment, like me! –April, 2008 Community Crew Member
After asking them if they think they can handle rain and mud, and crew members that might be difficult, tell them it WILL rain every day, and ALL of the Corps Members will have their own challenges, then ask them what they think. Or at least tell them to expect the worst in any situation. That way, they'll be pleasantly surprised when there's actually one day without rain. –Ryan, 2008 Crew Leader