Title: Crew Leader

Dates: June 8, 2025 - July 23, 2025 (approx. 6 weeks)

Stipend: $6,500 - $7,500

The mission of Virginia State Park’s Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) is to connect Virginia's youth with the natural world through a structured program of meaningful service projects on public lands. Youth build trails, friendships, environmental literacy, and self-confidence as they work to preserve access to the outdoors for generations to come. YCC has operated for over two decades. as a residential program at select parks for youth consisting of work projects during weekdays and environmental education and adventure opportunities during evenings and weekends.

In 2025, at each participating park, three to four adult Crew Leaders will guide crews of 10 youth aged 14 to 17 in all aspects of work, crew life, and recreation during a two-week session. Under the guidance of the leaders, the crew learns to live and work as a team of diverse individuals with a common goal. Crew leaders will have opportunities for career development training from shadowing a park employee to receiving certification in Red Cross First Aid CPR/AED, Basic Trail Building Training, and Mental Health First Aid. The YCC Crew Leader position is a unique, field opportunity, allowing Crew Leaders to enhance their skills in leadership, communication, youth supervision, and program administration. Additionally, this position increases competitiveness for positions with Virginia State Parks and other conservation and recreation agencies and organizations.

Successful Crew Leader applicants must be committed to making every Crew Member's safe, successful experience their top priority. The duties of a YCC Crew Leader are divided into four main areas: safety, leadership and mentorship, program management and implementation, and administration. These categories correspond with the categories of training that Crew Leaders will receive.

Safety: Crew Leaders are responsible for supervising Crew Members on and off the worksite. They ensure that Crew Members are wearing proper uniforms and personal protective equipment (PPE), and that they stay hydrated. Crew Leaders also transport crews in 7-8 passenger vehicles around the park and to recreational activities off the park on weekends.

Leadership and Mentorship: Crew Leaders lead by example and ensure that their crews are following all program rules and guidelines. They also promote individual Crew Member development by creating a healthy teamwork atmosphere that empowers Crew Members to learn and challenge themselves.

Program Management and Implementation: Crew Leaders are capable of thinking on their feet, while also investing in advanced planning on and off the worksite to ensure the program runs smoothly. This includes navigating interpersonal issues among the crew, communicating frequently via phone and email with park and program staff, taking pictures, and using a Conservation Education Curriculum to enrich the program.

Administration: Crew Leaders complete and submit documentation including work reports, Crew Member evaluations, program surveys, deliverables, accident reports, and discipline forms. They also oversee budgeting and shopping for groceries for their crews. The period of employment for YCC Crew Leaders include a week-long training in June; two, 2-week sessions; and time at a park in between sessions engaging in professional development opportunities. Crew Leaders will have selected days off between sessions. Head Crew Leaders will be selected based on highly ranked responses to interview questions that reflect a high degree of competency in the skills and abilities called for in the YCC Crew Leader position.

Minimum Qualifications

• At least 18 years of age
• Previous leadership or supervisory experience with youth or peers
• Previous work or educational experience that demonstrates the ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally
• Hold a valid Driver’s License
• Be able to hike up to 5 miles a day
• Use hands for tools, controls, and other objects
• Be able to occasionally lift and move up to 40 to 50 pounds

Additional Considerations

• Previous experience working or volunteering in the outdoors, including trail maintenance, yard work, basic construction, wood working, or use of power tools
• Former experience in a Youth Conservation Corps as a Crew Member or Leader
• Interest in or academic studies in biological sciences, natural resource management, education, agriculture, tourism, and/or recreation.