Staff Crew Leader - Watersheds

Title: Crew Leader II – Watershed Crew Leader

Reports to: Program Coordinator

Location/s: Harrisonburg, VA

Status: Seasonal, Full-time, Camping Program  

Dates: February 16^th to May 12^th OR August 18^th 2026

Wages: $925-1125/week, depending on prior experience and certifications.   

Benefits: Health benefits available after a probationary period

Multiple positions available.

Applications reviewed on a rolling basis until positions are filled.

Position Summary:  

The Crew Leader II position is an opportunity to make a difference in young peoples’ lives while completing conservation projects on public and private lands. Leaders will be mentors, educators, and facilitators for young adults, working to promote the health and resiliency of our land, air, and water.

Standard schedule generally consists of 9 days on-hitch (out in the field as a crew unit) and 5 days off with some exceptions. On-hitch, crews camp together, prepare all meals together, and work together as a group to complete all projects and chores.  

The Crew Leader II position requires patience, a consistently positive mental attitude, mentorship, technical aptitude, focus on efficiency, and a high level of competence in the outdoors. It also involves an administration role, where weekly paperwork is due in a timely manner to supervisors. Finally, crew leaders must exhibit the ability to effectively work on dynamic teams and those from a variety of communities.

Projects take place across the Appalachian Region, including partnerships with the US Forest Service, National Park Service, and other land managers. During their time in the field, leaders camp overnight and work outdoors in all types of weather conditions, performing heavy manual labor related to environmental conservation and restoration projects.

This crew may work in a variety of areas including habitat restoration, invasive species treatments, re-vegetation, tree planting, and more. Crew members may go through trainings including Registered Technician Pesticide Training and/or USFS Chainsaw Training to gain necessary certifications to complete crew projects. The crew provides a supportive learning environment where members work with, learn from, and grow with one another while gaining skills to propel them into a career in environmental stewardship.

Appalachian Conservation Corps is an independent, non-residential program. Participants are responsible for their own housing, food, and transportation when they are not in the field. In addition to providing food while in the field, we will provide group camp equipment, tools, protective gear, and transportation between Appalachian Conservation Corps offices and project sites.

Responsibilities:  

Leadership & Mentorship 

• Mentor Assistant Crew Leader: provide valuable feedback, give opportunities for growth, delegate responsibilities, and encourage technical and leadership skill development.
• Implement skills training on worksite and facilitate intentional discussions via informal lessons to contribute to the crew’s personal growth and group dynamics. 
• Promote individual corps member development and a safe, healthy, cohesive, other-centered and team-oriented community. 
• Follow and enforce all policies, maintain professional boundaries, and appropriately represent the program. This includes creating a substance free work environment, refraining from the use of tobacco products, alcohol, and drugs while involved in the program.  

Project Management & Implementation  

• Train, motivate and supervise a crew of young adults to efficiently complete tasks and objectives outlined in conservation projects, while working long hours and managing high quality of work and crew morale.
• Think critically to resolve issues and solve problems, requesting assistance or help when needed. 
• Communicate & coordinate logistics with project partners, Assistant Crew Leader, & staff  

Safety & Risk Management  

• Monitor, manage, and promote the holistic health of the crew, including physical and emotional (intimidation free community environment) safety.   
• Exhibit strong situational awareness & promote a culture of safety. 
• Transport crew and equipment safely in organizational vans or large SUVs with trailers in accordance with Conservation Legacy driver policy.
• Manage and document incidents in the field and activate incident response system, if needed, per Conservation Legacy policy.

Administration  

• Thorough documentation of crew hours, accomplishments, disciplinary actions taken, and incident response according to Conservation Legacy policy and procedure   
• Manage food budget and credit card for purchases.
• Track and submit credit card receipts for all expenses every month.

Camp Management

• Oversee, manage, and assign camp chores (or camp tasks).
• Monitor and manage crew community needs in camp.
• Instruct crew in how to create a safe, hygienic, and tidy camp environment while mitigating crew caused impacts to campsites, practicing minimum impact camping techniques.
• Maintain all program policies and procedures in camp environment.
• Leading a camping crew is an intensive commitment requiring a continuous physical presence. Leaders must remain physically present, and cognitively and emotionally available to support community and individual crew member needs.