Overview
Helena Youth Corps Leaders support and supervise Montana 5 high school youth in the successful completion of natural resource and community service projects, provide on-site management of a youth crew, implement curriculum and actively facilitate crew dynamics to ensure a high level of crew community and safety. Leaders will work with a co-leader to oversee 5 youth participants on overnight conservation-based projects. These projects will be 11 days in length and each project will be in a different area of the Helena Lewis & Clark National Forest. This is a wonderful opportunity to explore the Rocky Mountain Front! Youth participants are Montana residents ages 17-18 years old and come from a variety of backgrounds who will be serving as AmeriCorps members and will be participating for all 4 sessions throughout the summer season. The crew will camp for the full duration of the session, oftentimes in remote locations on varied terrain and in all weather conditions. Camping accommodations are typically tent camping in sites that you’re able to drive up to. Work may include building or maintaining trails, building fences, and habitat restoration, among many other types of conservation projects.
This position is based out of our Bozeman, MT regional office, where leaders will participate in the Leadership Development Program alongside our Expedition Leaders and conduct debriefs with the Youth Program staff team. Each session will depart and return to Helena, MT given the geographic location of projects and for a more central meeting location for the youth participants. Before each session begins, leaders will prepare for the upcoming session in Bozeman, and then depart to meet their crew in Helena. From there, the crew will depart from the meeting location and travel to their camping location. At the end of the session, crew leaders will drop off their crew in Helena and return to Bozeman to complete end of session tasks.
Location: Bozeman, MT
Program Dates: 5/12/2025 – 8/15/2025
Living Allowance: $1,360 biweekly before taxes are taken out
AmeriCorps Education Award: $2,817.14 upon completion of the program
Member Assistance Program: Free 24/7 access to confidential behavioral health counseling, financial assistance, medical/legal advocacy, and more!
Public Lands Service Corps Hiring Preference: Members serving with federal land management agencies may be eligible to receive hiring preference for future federal job placement
Supportive coaching staff invested in your success.
Community Spaces: Access to two community spaces, Corps Members of Color and LGBTQIA2+ Corps Members, to build community, connection, and support during the season.
Food Per Diem while on Projects
Access to Pro Deals
Housing options may be available in specific regions; talk with a Program Manager to learn more!!
Qualifications:
High school degree, GED, or willingness to work towards obtaining a GED
21 years old on the start date of the program
Valid driver’s license, ability to pass a Motor Vehicle Records check
US Citizenship or lawful permanent US Resident
Ability to pass a National Service Criminal History Check
Ability to hike 3-12 miles per day in terrain that can be steep, rocky or uneven, often wearing a 45lb backpack while carrying tools.
Required Skills:
Ability to lift up to 35 pounds repeatedly and use hand and power tools
Effective written and oral communication skills
Demonstrates strong service ethic and desire to serve the community and the environment
Embraces willingness to work long, hard hours in all weather conditions; ability to be away on overnight trips for up to 3-11 days at a time
Commitment to completing term; available for duration of entire term of service
Passion for working with youth and the outdoors
Preferred Skills:
A passion for service, the environment, and conservation
A positive mental attitude and seeing others with positive regard
Experience and interest working with youth
Adaptability and flexibility
A commitment to serving the whole term
A growth mindset - coming willing to learn, grow, and challenge yourself
A commitment to motivating others and their success
A desire to hone your personal leadership style
A passion for working with youth and the outdoors
About Montana Conservation Corps
Montana Conservation Corps believes that through conservation service work and authentic connection, you can sharpen your ability to create change and join the next generation of leaders for a better world. At MCC, we focus on the growth of our participants, positively impacting our climate and environment, and transferable job skills.
