Overview
JOB TITLE: Crew Leader
LOCATIONS: New River Gorge National Park, West Virginia (Housing Provided)
START & END DATES: May 19th, 2025- August 15, 2025 (3 months)
WORK SCHEDULE: Full time
SUPERVISOR: Southeast Region Coordinator
COMPENSATION: $22.54/hour
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Open until filled
WHO WE ARE The Forest Stewards Guild, a national organization of foresters and allied natural resource professionals, is dedicated to practicing and promoting responsible forestry as a means of sustaining the integrity of forest ecosystems and the human communities dependent upon them.
POSITION DESCRIPTION The Forest Stewards Apprenticeship-New River Gorge (FSA-NERI) will consist of a 4-person crew that works alongside the National Park Service in the New River Gorge National Park to complete forest management projects including oak monitoring and restoration projects. The crew leader will be responsible for leading the crews in logistics, risk management, administrative duties, project partner coordination, and team dynamics. The crew leader is critical to facilitating a positive apprenticeship experience for crew members. Crew Leader Duties Include:
• Ensure the safety of crews at all times, when working and traveling
• Lead 3 crew members in natural resource management projects such as oak restoration, ecological monitoring, and invasive species management
• Build positive team and work culture
• Track crew accomplishments and other reporting duties
• Correspond between Guild and Work Partner staff to ensure crew tasks are completed
• Drive 4WD vehicles on rough roads
• Work in steep and uneven terrain during rough weather conditions
COMPENSATION
$22.54/hour
Housing Provided
Leave: Paid holidays, Sick leave, Paid Time Off
The Guild provides an open, transparent, and just organization and workplace. We strive for clear, open, and kind communication and are committed to recruiting, hiring, mentoring, and supporting staff from underrepresented communities. We are dedicated to building a work culture that recognizes the inherent value of our employees, supports a healthy work-life balance, and provides an environment that supports personal and job growth.
LOCATION
The duty station is located in Glen Jean, WV (approx. 20-minute drive from Beckley, WV). Crew Leaders are expected to provide their own transportation to the duty station. Project work will be in New River Gorge National Park. Transportation is provided from the duty station to project locations.
Qualifications:
• Possess a valid driver's license and safe driving record
• Experience performing similar or comparable conservation projects to those the crew will complete (invasive species management, vegetation management, trail work, ecological monitoring, etc.)
Required Skills:
• Experience in leadership, supervisory, or instructor position in conservation, outdoor education, or related field
• Ability to make decisions to prioritize crew safety
• Strong ability to work independently, pay attention to details, provide organization, and remain flexible
• Physically fit and able to lift 75lbs, work long days in the field (sometime up to 14 hours) and walk with heavy loads on steep and uneven terrain while maintaining focus on supporting crew members.
Preferred Skills:
Experience leading natural resource management projects or experience in outdoor education/leadership
Ability to identify native and invasive vegetation in Appalachia
Relevant Certifications (e.g. Wilderness First Aid, CPR)
State Pesticide Applicators License or experience as a Registered Technician
College degree in Natural Resources Field (e.g. Conservation Biology, Forestry, Wildlife Management)
About Forest Stewards Guild
The Forest Stewards Guild, a national organization of foresters and allied natural resource professionals, is dedicated to practicing and promoting responsible forestry as a means of sustaining the integrity of forest ecosystems and the human communities dependent upon them.
