Junior Ranger Crew Lead

City of Boulder

2d•$18 - $25

About The Position

Junior Ranger Crew Leads work with co-leader(s) and Assistant Crew Leads to teach, mentor, and supervise teams of youth ages 14-17 on OSMP lands each summer. They build functional teams, complete trail maintenance and land restoration projects, and support youth stewardship and job skill development. This is a dynamic job that requires a lot of physical and emotional energy, but the rewards are incredible.

Requirements

Ability to demonstrate interest in working with high schoolers (ages 14-17) and young adults (ages 18+).
Ability to work with individuals from diverse ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds in a fair, supportive, and cooperative manner.
Ability to perform risk and hazard analysis and implement proper safety controls; ability to judge weather conditions. Adheres to department and program policies in regard to safety.
Ability to problem solve and make sound decisions by recognizing needs, assessing possible methods to meet needs, and acting on solutions.
Ability to hike, carry tools, and move heavy objects (such as large rocks) on uneven terrain for extended periods of time in all weather.
Ability to write and speak effectively and courteously to communicate ideas with youth, parents, community members.
Ability to report and take personal responsibility for all accidents, damage to city property, and/or policy infractions.
Ability to safely drive vehicles up to 15 passenger vans with an abundance of caution while driving youth junior ranger crew members.
Skill in Leading Others with Emotional Intelligence – identifying the best people for the job, and noticing, interpreting, and anticipating others’ concerns and feelings, and communicating empathetically in response.
Knowledge of and compliance with all policies, including safety best practices.
Skill in Teamwork - demonstrating interest, skill, and success in getting groups to learn to work together. Understanding the interests and concerns of others and able and willing to share and receive information. Working effectively as a member and leader of formal and informal teams.
Skill in Instructing and Mentoring - Teaching someone how to do something. Demonstrating commitment to mentoring others, answering questions, and providing a safe space to learn.
Skill in Flexibility, Humility, and Adaptability: Openness to different and new ways of doing things; willingness to modify one’s preferred way of doing things. Responsive to feedback; coachable. Able to function effectively when directions or priorities change quickly.
Valid drivers' license and an ability to maintain acceptable motor vehicle record.
Have and maintain an acceptable background check including criminal conviction history.
High School Diploma or equivalent.
At least three (3) years of experience regularly operating a vehicle independently. Driver’s Permit hours do not count toward the requirement.
At least (two) 2 years of prior experience or education in a combination of the following: Group leadership, risk management, trail maintenance, environmental education, teaching or mentoring youth, and/or natural resource management.
Experience must include the following: At least two months of experience teaching or supervising middle or high school aged youth At least two months of experience in trail maintenance, environmental education, or natural resource management.

Nice To Haves

Ability to carefully plan activities, tasks, and projects; follow established procedures; and maintain accurate records.
Ability to adapt prior knowledge, methods, concepts, or models to new applications; and the ability to devise new approaches to make improvements or solve problems.
Ability and desire to use past trails and team knowledge of Junior Ranger program to model and teach new team members (graduates of the Junior Ranger Program).
Knowledge of and ability to identify basic trail elements and structures, and explain why the structures are used.
Knowledge of positive youth development principles and leadership styles.
Skill in Project Management - familiar with coordinating events or projects that involve many variables including time, people, resources, guidelines/specifications, and responding to unexpected or additional elements. Ensuring that information is complete and accurate; and agreements are fulfilled. Attention to detail is crucial.
Skill in Taking Initiative - Identifying what needs to be done and doing it before being asked or before the situation requires it. Completes work in a timely and consistent manner.
Prior experience or training in Mental Health first aid, support and referral to a professional.
Current Wilderness First Aid (WFA) (Free Wilderness First Aid (WFA) class offered during Team Leader training).
Standard First Aid and Adult CPR certification
Conversational Spanish proficiency

Responsibilities

Co-leads a 10-member Junior Ranger youth team, completing natural resource projects such as trail maintenance and construction, forestry, vegetation management, and ecological restoration.
Responsible for the transportation and general management of the team including safety (physical and mental/emotional), supervision, project management, discipline, and evaluation.
Works cooperatively with OSMP staff project sponsors to carry out site-specific work plans.
Organizes work within the group to maximize safety, project completion, team development, and individual contribution.
Keeps accurate records on each Junior Ranger team member, which includes documentation of hours worked, incident reports, progress reports and evaluations.
Drives trucks and 15 passenger vans containing youth crew members.
Prior experience working collaboratively as part of a team and making joint decisions where all voices are heard.
Facilitates development crew members and Assistant Crew Leads and cultivates a positive team environment.
Integrates learning opportunities into project timeline to help youth members develop stewardship awareness.
Supports the leadership, growth & development of Junior Rangers & co-leaders on site.
Plans and facilitates environmental education lessons and team building activities.
Provides task instruction as needed.
Knows and complies with all policies, including safety best practices.
Participates in professional trainings and development; and adheres to attendance and workplace attire policies.
Takes proper safety precautions, anticipates unsafe circumstances, acts accordingly to prevent accidents and injuries.
Uses all proper safety equipment.
Reports and takes personal responsibility for all accidents, damage to city property, and/or policy infractions.
Coordinates team tasks and daily operations with co-leaders.
Provides opportunities for co-leaders to practice weaker skills and collaboratively develop each other’s leadership skills.
Actively builds knowledge base and seeks professional development in order to support team with environmental education and team building activities.
Openly shares successes and challenges to support team learning and individual growth.