Overview
Youth Crew Leaders are integral to ensuring the success of the transformative P-CREW program.
P-CREW Crew Leaders will have the unique opportunity to develop leadership and stewardship skills
while supervising and mentoring a youth crew. This position was designed to empower P-CREW
leaders to deepen their connection to nature, build trusting relationships with support staff, and feel
confident building the next generation of natural resource stewards.
Crew leaders will be provided 2-3 weeks of in-field training to prepare for the P-CREW summer
session. Once P-CREW begins, crew leaders will train, supervise, and mentor their youth crews 24/7
for two five-week sessions. Crew Leaders are responsible for managing eleven, 10th-12th grade
teenagers while supporting restoration efforts on the Plumas and Lassen National Forests and
adjacent lands in the Northern Sierra. Participants do not go home during the five weeks. Thus, the
Crew Leader position is very similar to a camp counselor role and includes facilitating safe and
sustainable recreation with the crews on weekends.
Crew Leaders will be part of a team of three field staff, which includes two Crew Leaders and an
Alumni All-Star Assistant. The Alumni “All-Star” Assistant is someone who has successfully completed
a P-CREW session and is returning to gain leadership experience. Following the completion of the 10
week P-CREW program, Crew Leaders will assist with season wrap up: organizing paperwork, project
accomplishments, and media; gear and tool maintenance and inventory; and end of season
evaluations.
Crew Leaders are passionate about youth stewardship and outdoor enthusiasts with the skills and
interests to be excellent role models. This is a unique opportunity to make a lasting difference in the
lives of youth through meaningful landscape stewardship under the umbrella of a growing,
transformative, and innovative program.
Qualifications:
● Wilderness First Responder certification or higher preferred, past First Aid experience
required.
● Minimum Age Requirement: 21+.
●Experience working on or supporting youth and/or young adult crews in
conservation/restoration activities. *If an applicant has a strong background working with
teens and experience camping, prior experience with conservation work may be waived. *
Required Skills:
● Social and emotional skills to promote positive personal growth and develop relationships
with people from all backgrounds, abilities, cultures, orientations, identities, and communities.
● Ability to assist crew members in navigating the dynamic challenges they may face as an
individual or a group.
● Leadership experience.
● Camping skills and familiarity with Leave No Trace practices.
● Strong communication, leadership, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Preferred Skills:
● Undergraduate degree in Outdoor Recreation Leadership, Natural Resources, Youth
Development, or similar program with teaching experience, and/or relevant work experience.
● Lifeguard certification
● Experience working with teens (ages 15-18).
About Sierra Institute for Community and Environment
The Sierra Institute promotes healthy forests, watersheds, and communities by investing in the well-being of
rural communities and strengthening their participation in natural resource management. Our work supports
initiatives that simultaneously benefit the environment, economy, and equity within a given landscape. Sierra
Institute’s P-CREW Youth Corps is an essential pathway to the professional opportunity for diverse youth. Sierra
Institute is located in Taylorsville, CA (population 154), and lies within an area referred to as “Indian Valley”
that includes the communities of Greenville and Crescent Mills. Indian Valley offers uniquely rural community
events and is surrounded by public lands including Plumas National Forest, Lassen National Forest, and Lassen
Volcanic National Park.
