Contact Name: Elyria Little
Company/Organization/Agency: Cleveland Metroparks
Address: 6100 W Canal Rd, Valley View, OH 44125 United States
Email Address: erl@clevelandmetroparks.com
Contact Phone:
Job Title: Conservation Corps Crew Leader
Job Description: Cleveland Metroparks Mission
The mission of the Cleveland Metroparks is to conserve significant natural resources and enhance people’s lives by integrating high-quality outdoor education, recreation and zoological opportunities into people’s lives. The Trails Division works to support this mission by creating high quality sustainable trails, applying the best available techniques in trail maintenance and trailshaping, and prioritizing sustainability in all aspects of our operations, including milling local lumber for signage and using local materials wherever possible.
Position Description
The Conservation Corps Crew Leader is central to the success of the trail crew they lead, and to the long term sustainability of the Metroparks trails system. The position calls for a high level of maturity, organization, and flexibility, as well as the ability to foster healthy team dynamics while also prioritizing the completion of high-quality sustainable trail work in a variety of weather conditions. The crew leader works alongside trail crew members on a daily basis, in addition to coordinating projects, timelines, and needs with the Trails Division. Conservation Corps crews use traditional trail skills, restoration techniques, carpentry skills, and physical labor to complete an array of projects across the Metroparks. Typical projects include trail construction and maintenance, building rock stairs, carpentry, bridge construction, invasive vegetation removal, and restoration of impacted sites. The crew leader is responsible for day-to-day trail work decisions and strategies, and is expected to proactively reach out to Trails Division staff as for support and input as needed. Crew leaders receive training in Metroparks trails standards, practices, and expectations before crew members arrive, and will be responsible for communicating and modeling adherence to all Metroparks practices in day-to-day interactions with their crew. Crew leaders will have additional opportunities for in-depth debriefing, feedback, additional projects, and trainings both during the season and after the crew departs.
The Board of Park Commissioners expects all employees to follow Trails Division and Park District policies, procedures, rules, and regulations. Cleveland Metroparks promotes a non-hostile and non-discriminatory work environment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. The crew leader is expected to report suspected or actual harassment, abuse, or neglect to the chain of command, and encourage crew members to do the same.
Roles & Responsibilities
Work with Trails Coordinators and the Trails Development Manager to provide field-based supervision and support to conservation corps crew members
Model Cleveland Metroparks mission and values to crew members and the public
Proactively manage risk by creating and maintaining a safe, inclusive work environment
Manage conservation projects, work outcomes, and crew dynamics
Facilitate team operations: maintain tools & equipment, manage work sites
Regular travel to work locations to support projects and work alongside crew members
Document progress on key projects, including photographs and written reports
Coordinate and manage shared housing facilities, including crew responsibility for associated tasks and chores, with support from the Trails Corps Coordinator
Qualifications
Must be a minimum of 21 years of age
1-2 years experience supervising young adults (outdoor setting preferred)
Previous trail construction and maintenance experience and knowledge required
Ability to perform trail construction and maintenance work in both wilderness and non-wilderness settings, carrying and lifting 50 pounds or more and hiking up to 3 miles
Excellent leadership skills, interpersonal skills, and strong work ethic are required
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Detail oriented with great time management skills
Ability to prioritize positive team dynamics while completing high-quality projects
Working knowledge of safely operating power and hand-tools
Experience with chainsaw, rigging/griphoist, or carpentry a plus
Excellent written, electronic, and verbal communication skills
Demonstrates strong initiative and the ability to problem-solve
Must have ability to legally work in the US
Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license under the laws of the state of Ohio
Ability to meet Cleveland Metroparks background check standards
High school diploma required
Bachelor's degree preferred in environmental science, ecology, landscape architecture, planning, environmental studies, or a related field from an accredited college or university, or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job
Required to demonstrate full vaccination status for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) with a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized or FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine; OR receive from the program manager a reasonable accommodation granting an exemption from vaccine requirement
Benefits, Pay, and Work Schedule
Pay rate starts at $17 per hour. This variable position is full-time (40 hrs per week) between May-October with a part-time schedule during the shoulder season. Work schedule is 7 am - 4 pm Monday through Thursday or similar (four 10-hour days per week). Shared housing is available to the crew leader (housing includes access to internet, an indoor kitchen, and all utilities; available sleeping spaces may be indoors, outdoors, private, or shared). Paid on-the-job training including the option to certify in wilderness medicine is provided. For crew leaders currently enrolled in college or graduate school, staff support is available for independent studies.
Dates of Service
The target conservation corps crew season runs from April to October. Six-month crews will begin on or around April 20th and run through October 20th. The Conservation Corps Leader position will begin in early April and conclude in early November. Start and end dates are somewhat flexible for leaders.
Job Start Date: 4/8/2022
Application Deadline: 3/15/2022
Additional Information: Apply at https://recruiting.adp.com/srccar/public/RTI.home?c=1151751&d=ExternalCareerSite&r=5000822864306&_fromPublish=true#/