Northwest Youth Corps

Helping Youth Achieve Success

NYC crewleaders understand that being a leader is much more than being a boss. They are hard workers, patient, innovative, creative, and find satisfaction helping others achieve success. They understand the value of learning by doing and find the prospect of guiding a team of teenage youth through a five week outdoor experience their kind of fun. They have the commitment, mental toughness, and drive to carry them through the unexpected challenges that always arise at the most inopportune times; usually when their crew is in a very remote location and in the middle of trying to complete a mile of new trial, finish a bridge, or eradicate an invasive species. The people who choose to lead an NYC youth crew are passionate about the outdoors. They are experienced outdoor adventurers and workers who understand natural communities and have an awareness of society's impact on the natural communities they treasure. Most important, they have a driving desire to share their wealth of knowledge and experience with the next generation.

"NYC threw me into the deep-end of a community of gifted youth-development titans. The bar is set so high in the program that while some days seem arduously impossible, miraculous outcomes are commonplace. My life after NYC has been cursed by an incapability to accept mediocrity in any aspect of my life, the manifestation of a ludicrous integrity NYC plants in everyone."

—Matt Springer, NYC Crewleader

Crews live and work outdoors, often in remote and wild settings, spending 4-6 weeks completing conservation projects. Crewleaders teach an experiential-based environmental and life skills education curriculum. Crewleaders also organize and lead recreation trips when work project duties have been met.

Duties and Responsibilities

Staff Training: Staff earn a $250 stipend for attending a ten-day staff training. Training includes:

NYC also hosts a pre-season WFA/WFR recertification for staff members—this can be paid for through a payroll draw. It is imperative that staff members attend staff trainings to gain program knowledge and skills and to become part of the staff community that can be relied upon the rest of the season. For 2007, the WFA/CPR course is scheduled for May 27-28 here on the NYC campus. You may take the entire course or choose either the WFA or the CPR as a stand alone depending on your needs. Lodging or food not included in the price of the course. Exact course information can be furnished during the interview process.

Safety: Staff oversee the physical and emotional safety of program participants at all times. Safety is the number one priority in everything we do, including work, education, and recreation.

Work Project Supervision: Crewleaders are responsible for safely completing conservation projects to high standards by training, working with, and supervising crews of ten teenage youth (ages 14-15 or 16-20) 30-40 hours/week. Conservation projects include (but are not limited to) trail construction and maintenance, habitat restoration, noxious weed removal, fuels management/silviculture, campground maintenance, and other projects. Staff provide direction to corpsmembers with specific attention to safe work practices, proper tools use, work quality, and production efficiency. Projects are located in remote settings, often with little contact to the "outside" world. Staff are expected to problem-solve and motivate their crew to complete very physically demanding projects. At day's end, staff debrief their crew and help them realize the importance and value of hard work. Staff set the pace and tone of the project site, and are the hardest workers out there. This position is very physically, emotionally, and mentally demanding. Crewleaders will lift heavy loads, hike long miles, and work long hours (both on and off the project site). Samples of projects completed in the last field season include: Trail Maintenance of the PCT in WA, OR, and CA; Bridge Construction near McCall, ID; pruning for the Oregon BLM.

Education: Staff prepare for and implement daily education lessons based on NYC's Nationally Accredited education curriculum (SEED), which incorporates environmental education, life skills development, backcountry living, and job readiness. Staff track corpsmember participation and progress throughout the program. Staff are encouraged to bring their own skills and experiences to the education curriculum and use natural surroundings for teachable moments.

Leadership: Staff manage, supervise, and participate in all aspects of crew life from hauling rocks to washing dishes. They work cooperatively with other staff to delegate responsibilities to crew members, supervise camp operations, maintain crew discipline, resolve conflicts, and establish/maintain crew morale. Staff provide formal and informal feedback and evaluations to corpsmembers with specific attention to work productivity and quality, teamwork, and leadership. Staff receive feedback on their performance and are challenged to develop their own leadership skills within this program.

Camp Life: Camp is usually located near or at the project site, whether in a front country or backcountry setting (see individual program descriptions for details). Crews are up before the sun, and staff supervise breakfast preparation and project readiness. Crews work between 7-10 hours/day toward project completion, with ½ hour lunch breaks. After work, crews may have down time, which can entail journaling, exploring the native flora and fauna, hiking to a mountain lake, or napping. Each day, members rotate through chore responsibilities with staff supervising their completion. Crews eat a family style dinner and clean up together. After dinner, staff teach the SEED lesson, facilitate crew discussions, and organize evening recreation and group sharing. Staff document the program in daily reviews, timesheets, safety and incident reports, and corpsmember write ups.

Weekends: During weekends, crews travel to weekend sites where they can shower and do laundry. At these community basecamps, four different crews meet to hike, swim, visit museums, or participate in other recreational opportunities. Crews resupply and receive project specifications, mail, and program support. On Sundays, crews travel via 15 passenger vans to the next week's project.