Youth Crew Leader

Conservation: Youth Crew Leader
Location: Richmond, Vermont

Dates: May 25, 2026 – August 14, 2026

Weekly compensation: $765-$810

Age requirement: 21

Who We Are

VYCC’s Conservation Program engages young people in hands-on projects that benefit

Vermont’s environment and communities. Conservation Crew Leaders are essential to

the success of any Conservation Crew and their efforts have a significant impact on

habitat, water quality, and outdoor recreation in Vermont.

With a 40-year history in the state, VYCC crews have completed thousands of

conservation projects. Corps Members work and learn together in a collaborative crew

environment where they gain skills, build community and have a positive impact on the

land. Projects range from trail building to infrastructure improvement at State Parks,

sustainable forestry to invasive plant management, and more. In every case, Corps

Members receive paid training and support from VYCC staff. The experience is

immersive and physically demanding. With that challenge also comes tremendous

personal reward. For young people passionate about the outdoors, joining VYCC is a

great opportunity to steward the environment while also developing valuable

leadership skills.

Who We’re Looking For

A successful Conservation Crew Leader is someone who strives to support their crew,

faces challenges with a positive attitude, and works toward personal and professional

growth. We look for hard-working individuals who will demonstrate their passion for

environmental stewardship, public service, and youth (15-18yrs old) education and

development through a commitment to VYCC’s mission. They will bring experience or

interest in developing skills in teaching, mentoring, and group facilitation.

Youth Crew Leaders facilitate an educational curriculum that consists of daily thirty-
minute lessons and activities. They also work with their crews to complete trail & water
quality projects that are tied into the local community where their members live.

What You Can Expect

After training, Youth Crew Leaders begin working with their crews. Each week starts at

the drop-off location for Youth Crew Members, either in Burlington for the first session

or Woodstock for the second session. For youth crews, the project day begins at

7:45AM. Camping will be provided both on the Richmond campus and in Woodstock.

For the Woodstock session there is an option to camp on Sunday night or drive down

early Monday morning. At 8:00AM, Leaders drive from the Member pick-up location to

the project site. Leaders are required to camp in the field; however, this will be done

independently of the youth crew. Youth Crew Members do not camp. While leading the

Burlington Youth Crew, Leaders will camp at VYCC’s campus in Richmond. While

leading the Woodstock Youth Crew, Leaders will camp at a location near the Marsh-

Billings-Rockefeller National Park. The workday will end at 4:45PM.

Youth crews operate Monday through Thursday. On Friday, Leaders will have a

modified schedule where they review the previous week, plan lessons for next week,

work on project preparation, and or have an early day as part of schedule adjustment

for the Woodstock location.

Throughout the week, Leaders must complete projects and associated administrative
tasks (e.g. project outcomes reporting) to a high standard of quality. Youth Crew
Leaders must also facilitate pre-planned lessons that are part of VYCC’s youth
development curriculum. This results in an average of 40-50 hours per week.
Completing scheduled tasks may take longer than 50 hours, depending on the Leaders’
level of organization and/or the crew’s efficiency and needs.

A successful Crew Leader fosters an inclusive and supportive crew community, helps
Crew Members navigate challenges and celebrate successes, and provides opportunities
for personal and professional growth while staying organized and managing their time
effectively. Creating and maintaining a healthy crew culture is a top priority for Crew
Leaders.

Richmond, VT is a rural community without public transit. Access to a personal vehicle
is strongly encouraged for off-time transportation.

VYCC crews may be called upon by the state of Vermont to respond in the event of a
natural disaster. Disaster relief work is opt-in. If you are interested in serving on a
disaster relief crew, inquire about this option during your interview.

What We’ll Expect from You

Supervision, Culture, Leadership

• Follow and uphold VYCC Principles, Practices, and Policies
• Create an inclusive crew culture that prioritizes physical and emotional safety

• Supervise Crew Members: conduct check-ins and feedback meetings that help

• Instruct and support Crew Members on topics including proper tool use and

• Engage with VYCC staff on setting personal goals and charting personal and

• Effectively work with your co-leader to balance tasks and responsibilities

• Play a lead role in risk assessment and safety management in the field

• Help provide emergency response and communication during emergencies

• Complete administrative and reporting tasks

• Manage field logistics (vehicle maintenance checks, tool maintenance, camp set-

Project Management

• Facilitate daily framing and debrief sessions with your crew

• Manage project sites efficiently with high quality while prioritizing safety and

• Effectively communicate with VYCC staff and project partner to ensure

Educational Facilitation

• Facilitate premade educational curriculum through daily education and

• Coordinate with project sponsor and external trainers who may facilitate parts of

• Effectively communicate learning objectives and outcomes with members

Required Qualifications
• Excellent time management, organizational, and communication skills

• Experience in risk assessment and being responsible for the health and safety of

others

• Experience in providing and receiving feedback, and creating a culture of

learning and growth

• Be a U.S. citizen, a national, or legal permanent resident non-citizen of the U.S.
• Have not been convicted of murder or sexual assault and be willing to undergo a

National Service Criminal History Check and a VT Agency of Human Services
check. Crew Leaders will be working with vulnerable populations.

• Be a high school graduate or have a GED certificate, or be willing to work

• Valid driver’s license with good driving record for at least three years (preferred)

Compensation & Benefits

• Weekly stipend: $765-$810 dependent on experience

• Food/housing: Camping is required Sunday/Monday-Friday, food is provided

when in the field (Sunday/ Monday evening - Friday afternoon)

• Wilderness First Aid and CPR Certification (if needed)

• Bonus paid upon completion of position

• Organizational dedication to on-going professional development

• Career pathways support through VYCC’s Community Engagement Manager

and program staff

• Paid time off: combination of flexible sick days and personal leave days with

longer positions also having scheduled break time

• Potential to earn up to 12 free college credits

Equal Opportunity at VYCC

Are you concerned that you don’t meet all the requirements of this position? Please

apply anyway. VYCC is dedicated to building an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and

accessible work environment that fosters a sense of belonging – so if you’re excited

about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with everything in this job

description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate

for this role or another one of our openings!