2027 MobilizeGreen Youth Conservation Program Crew Leader

MobilizeGreen • Philadelphia, PA

12d • Onsite

About The Position

MobilizeGreen, in partnership with the USDA Forest Service, is hiring Youth Conservation Program Crew Leaders for its 2027 summer youth program. Crew Leaders co-lead high school youth in conservation projects, environmental education, and leadership development over two three-week sessions in the San Bernardino National Forest in California or the Superior National Forest in Minnesota. Working in teams of five to six, they support student and group safety, camping excursions, personal development, environmental education, and project management. They represent MobilizeGreen on site and coordinate with partners on designated projects. All Crew Leaders attend pre-program training, which is a virtual/in-person hybrid.

The term runs from late May through early August 2027. The schedule includes Crew Leader training from May 31 to June 12, the first cohort from June 13 to July 3, administrative work from July 4 to July 10, the second cohort from July 11 to July 31, and closing, reporting, and administrative work from August 1 to August 6.

The role includes a living stipend of $800 per week. Travel, housing, living expenses, and meals are provided for the duration of the program. Training and development opportunities include Wilderness First Aid and CPR certification, defensive driving, specialized tools training, mentorship and teaching experience, and opportunities to work directly with USDA Forest Service staff and network with land management experts.

This is physically demanding, live-in work in challenging outdoor conditions. Crew Leaders must be able to handle strenuous work, steep terrain, lifting up to 40 pounds, rain, bugs, and extreme heat. They may need to stand, walk, and carry gear for up to eight hours per day while maintaining crew morale. They work a rotating schedule for projects and administrative tasks and participate in 24/7 rotating on-call duty to support members' safety and well-being. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Requirements

• Current First Aid/CPR certification or willingness to obtain it before the program starts; certification is included in MobilizeGreen training.
• Documented experience working with youth or young adults ages 14–18 as a teacher, mentor, leader, counselor, or coach.
• Experience in a formal or informal educational environment, or equivalent.
• Ability to organize and effectively teach lessons, motivate teenage and/or young adult students, provide and accept constructive feedback, and communicate effectively.
• Experience and familiarity with outdoor skills, including hiking up to eight miles, extensive camping, safety awareness, and Leave No Trace.
• Experience in service project management, service learning, conservation or trail projects, and proper hand tool use; related experience may include carpentry, landscaping, or gardening.
• Valid driver's license with no major violations in the past three years.
• Must pass a criminal background check.
• Must pass a pre-employment drug screening.
• Must be at least 21 years old.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or legally able to work in the U.S.
• Must uphold MobilizeGreen’s Field Operations Standards, including its zero-tolerance drug and alcohol policy.
• Ability to provide an emotionally and physically safe environment for crew members.
• Ability to participate in rotating project and administrative schedules and 24/7 on-call duty.
• Ability to handle strenuous outdoor work, including steep terrain, lifting up to 40 pounds, and exposure to rain, bugs, and extreme heat.
• Ability to stand, walk, and carry gear for up to eight hours per day.

Responsibilities

• Supervise crew members during program activities, projects, and while at housing with students.
• Provide an emotionally and physically safe environment in accordance with MobilizeGreen’s Field Operations Standards and COVID Policies.
• Work with the co-leader to manage crew group dynamics.
• Lead environmental education and team-building lessons on off-project days.
• Participate in rotating overnight on-call duty.
• Train and supervise crew members in safe and proper tool use and service project work, which may include trail construction and maintenance, wildlife habitat work, and site restoration.
• Coordinate worksite and project logistics, tools and equipment, maintenance, and work schedules in partnership with the Project Leader and USDA Forest Service staff.
• Care for and maintain program equipment and tools.
• Manage required pre- and post-program paperwork, daily work logs, incident reports, equipment inventories, evaluations, and the final report.
• Communicate with full-time MobilizeGreen and housing staff about incidents, potential hazards, and program evaluations.
• Communicate effectively with MobilizeGreen staff, parents, agency partners, and co-leaders throughout the program.
• Participate fully in Crew Leader orientation and all safety training.
• Maintain positive, professional relationships with agency partners and co-leaders.
• Complete required weekly and post-program paperwork, including an end-of-program debrief with MobilizeGreen staff.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• $800 per week living stipend.
• Travel, housing, and living expenses included for the duration of the program.
• Meals provided for the duration of the program.
• Wilderness First Aid (WFA) and CPR certification.
• Defensive driving training.
• Hands-on, specialized tools training.
• Mentorship and teaching experience.
• Opportunity to work directly with USDA Forest Service staff and network with land management experts.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed