Position Dates: April 2nd 2018 to August 17th 2018
Compensation: $360 weekly living stipend, AmeriCorps education award upon completion of term.
Arizona Conservation Corps (AZCC) Flagstaff Office seeks qualified candidates for Assistant Crew Leader positions for the Spring/Summer 2018. AZCC offers opportunities for individuals to work in a crew environment on national lands throughout the southwestern United States and elsewhere. Successful crew leaders are self-motivated, energetic and tenacious – they understand the value of hard work in the outdoors and are driven to excellence in conservation.
AZCC Camping Crews based out of Flagstaff perform conservation work throughout Arizona and parts of the southwest. Crews typically work a hitch schedule, which typically consists of eight or nine days on and five or six days off, or four days on and three days off. During the “hitch” crews work together during the day, eat and camp together in the evening and learn together throughout. Assistant Crew leaders will start on April 2nd 2018 before members arrive to receive training. Crews also are occasionally deployed on national disaster relief efforts.
The Assistant Crew Leader (ACL) is responsible for facilitating a positive Corpsmember experience. This is done by creating a positive attitude within the crew about the workday, the project, and the Corps as a whole. The ACL is also a full partner in the crew’s leadership, helping to communicate directions, project specifications, and constructive criticism throughout the term. This position also requires open dialog with the Supervisor; helping him/her to manage Project Partners, crew assignments, and disciplinary issues. The ACL is expected to be able to learn new skills rapidly, and assist the Crew Leader in teaching these skills to the other Corpsmembers. Responsibilities also include driving AZCC vehicles, facilitating crew educational activities, and ensuring that crew members fulfill their weekly duties. At the end of the work week or spike, the Assistant Crew Leader is expected to complete their closing checklist, keeping all crew members on track and productive. ACL's will be asked to participate in training and additional work beyond the hours of regular crew members.
Job Progression: Over the term, the ACL will be expected to expand their role, learn leadership strategies from the Crew Leader, be able to correctly and completely fill out paperwork, and on occasion assume management duties for the duration of a project. The hope is that ACL and Crew Leader will act as one leadership unit.
Required Skills
Required Qualifications:
All offers of employment are conditional upon completion of an acceptable check of the National Sex Offender Public Registry and federal criminal background check.
Excellent organization skills.
Physically fit and able to work long days in adverse conditions.
High School diploma or GED certificate.
Current Wilderness First Aid or higher and CPR certification, if placed in less remote environments.
Good driving record (insurable by current AZCC carrier) and current driver’s license.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience teaching, facilitation and team-building in diverse groups of people.
Leadership experience with youth or young adults.
Experience in Conservation Corps or Youth Corps.
Professional conservation, construction or landscaping experience. AZCC will train exceptional applicants.
Familiarity with basic chainsaw operations.
Familiarity with basic conservation skills including tool maintenance.
Relevant Bachelor’s Degree.
Experience teaching outdoor experiential and/or environmental education.
Current Wilderness First Responder or higher and CPR certification.
Sense of humor, spirit of adventure, and desire to make a positive difference.
Service Activities
Participation and Expedition Behavior:
Work effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions. This may require problem solving on an interpersonal or group level as well as a willingness to accept differences.
Willingness and ability to complete all aspects of the program including conservation projects, education, training and national service. Members must commit to participating in all crew/team activities, including service days in local communities where applicable.
Effectively communicate ideas and concerns as they arise directly to supervisors, colleagues and organization staff.
Have the cognitive ability to learn necessary skills and apply them to effectively carry out the service work requirements
Appropriately represent the Program and AmeriCorps to the public and project partners at all times.
Contribute to a safe learning environment; no harassment of others for any reason.
Safety and Judgment:
Effectively communicate danger to others in the form of either a warning of danger others may be encountering or a notification of personal distress, injury or need for assistance. You must be able to do so at a distance of up to 50 meters and in conditions with limited visibility or loud background noise such as darkness or high winds.
Effectively perceive, understand and follow direction by others so that you will be able to successfully execute appropriate and perhaps unfamiliar techniques to manage hazards. These directions may be given before the hazard is encountered or may need to be given during exposure to the hazard.
Stay alert and focused for several hours at a time while traveling and working in varied weather conditions
Perceive and comprehend significant and apparent hazards, including those hazards previously identified by others.
Respond appropriately to stress or crises.
If taking prescription medications, participants must be able to maintain proper dosage by self-medicating without assistance from others.
Community Need Addressed
N/A
Position Outcomes
Environmental Ethics:
Learn and practice ‘Leave no Trace’ techniques
Learn and safely perform fundamental outdoor living/travel and work skills as appropriate to the project. Additionally, remain adequately hydrated, fed, and properly dressed so as to remain generally healthy and safe, avoiding environmental injuries.
Live in a physically demanding, possibly remote environment for an uninterrupted period of up to several weeks. Conditions of this environment may vary significantly and may include severe and/or trying weather. The remoteness is such that it may require at a minimum one hour, but perhaps in excess of 12 hours, to reach the nearest advanced medical care.
Outdoor Skills and Fitness (where appropriate)
Substance Free:
In accordance to a drug free workplace, alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in AmeriCorps and program activities and while on organization property.
Benefits
Education award upon successful completion of service, Training
Education Benefits
College Degree, GED/High School Diploma
Environmental Ethics:
Learn and practice ‘Leave no Trace’ techniques
Learn and safely perform fundamental outdoor living/travel and work skills as appropriate to the project. Additionally, remain adequately hydrated, fed, and properly dressed so as to remain generally healthy and safe, avoiding environmental injuries.
Live in a physically demanding, possibly remote environment for an uninterrupted period of up to several weeks. Conditions of this environment may vary significantly and may include severe and/or trying weather. The remoteness is such that it may require at a minimum one hour, but perhaps in excess of 12 hours, to reach the nearest advanced medical care.
Outdoor Skills and Fitness (where appropriate)
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Lead group discussion, Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, Maintain open lines of communication with others, Speak clearly, in precise language and in a logical, organized and coherent manner, Turn taking, Write cleary and effectively
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem, Capable of generating possible solutions, Improvise
Teamwork
Establish a high degree of trust and credibility with others, Interact professionally and respectfully with supervisors and co-workers, Stay positive and outcome oriented
Decisions
Accepts responsibility, Anticipate the consequences of decisions, Identify and prioritize the key issues involved to facilitate the decision making process, Involve people appropriately in decisions that may impact them, Quickly respond with a back-up plan if a decision goes amiss
Tools
Operate tools and equipment in accordance with established operating procedures, safety standards, and ethical guidelines
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks, Create environment of contribution, Create plan of action, schedule tasks so that work is completed on time, Demonstrate the effective allocation of time and resources efficiently, Drive decision making, Effectively delegate tasks, Facilitate group planning, Set goals
Service
Honor the privilege of being able to work with and for those being served, Understand and anticipate the needs of others, Understand the importance of one's role in the functioning of the organization, Understand the significance of maintaining a healthful and safe environment