TRC Crew Leads work with the City of Dubuque and Multicultural Family Center program managers and community partners to teach, mentor, and supervise a team of youths aged 14-17 around the topics of urban forestry, tree care and maintenance, nature-based climate solutions, community outreach, professional development, and more! They will help build an efficient team, complete projects, support youth stewardship, and develop job skills. This is a dynamic position that requires a lot of physical and emotional energy, but the rewards are incredible.

Crew Leads will be required to constantly perform manual labor in varying weather conditions; they will frequently walk over uneven terrain; and they may be asked to carry up to 40 pounds alone or with a teammate up to 100 feet anywhere from occasionally up to 2/3 or more of the time. Must have reliable transportation to/from work each day or communicate the need for assistance. It is expected that Crew Leads will bring their lunch to work each day, but assistance can be arranged.

Work Days

Crew leads work June 2 through August 7

Crew leads work 28 hours a week: Monday through Thursday from 8 am - 4 pm with occasional nights and weekends

Biweekly Stipend: $840

Responsibilities

Supervising & Project Management

Leads a 4-member TRC team, completing projects such as tree care, maintenance, and other natural resource management projects.

Responsible for the general management of the team including safety (physical and mental/emotional), supervision, project management, and evaluation.

Works cooperatively with other staff and project partners to carry out work plans. Organizes work within the group to maximize safety, project completion, team development, and individual contribution.

Keeps accurate records on each TRC team member, which includes documentation of hours worked, incident reports, progress reports, and evaluations. 

Training and Mentorship

Supervises youth and develops a positive team environment.

Integrates learning opportunities into projects to help youth members develop knowledge and stewardship awareness.

Supports the growth and development of the TRC crew members.

Plans and facilitates environmental education lessons and team building activities, following the provided curriculum.

Provides task instruction to youth members as needed.

Safety & Professionalism

Knows and complies with all policies, including safety best practices.

Participates in professional training and development; and adheres to attendance and workplace attire policies.

Takes proper safety precautions, anticipates unsafe circumstances, and acts accordingly to prevent accidents and injuries. Ensures the use of proper safety equipment.

Reports and takes personal responsibility for all accidents, damage to city property, and/or policy infractions.

Supporting Peers as a Team Player

Coordinates team tasks and daily operations with co-leader.

Actively builds knowledge base and seeks professional development in order to support the team with environmental education and team-building activities.

Openly shares successes and challenges to support team learning and individual growth.

Qualifications

High School Diploma or equivalent, and between 18-24 years of age

Ability and desire to work with high schoolers (ages 14-17) and with individuals from diverse ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds in a fair, supportive and cooperative manner

Ability to pass a background check

Commitment to safety – ability to perform risk and hazard analysis and implement proper safety controls; ability to judge weather conditions

Ability to meet the physical demands of outdoor work

Emotional intelligence – identifying the best people for the job and noticing, interpreting, anticipating others’ concerns and feelings, and communicating empathetically in response.

Team player – has interest, skill, and success in getting groups to work together. Approaches interactions with curiosity and openness, willingness to share and receive information, and makes joint decisions where all voices are heard.

Ability to solve problems and make sound decisions by recognizing needs, assessing possible methods to meet needs, and action on solutions.

Positive attitude: you are flexible, curious and hardworking. Responsive to feedback, and able to function effectively when directions or priorities change quickly.

Ability to write and speak effectively and courteously communicate ideas with youth, parents, and community members.

Knowledge of and compliance with all policies, including safety best practices.

Preferred Qualifications

At least two months of experience teaching or supervising middle or high school aged youth. Demonstrates commitment to mentoring others, answering questions, and providing a safe space to learn.

Experience in tree care, environmental education, or natural resource management.

Skill in project management - familiar with coordinating events or projects that involve many variables including time, people, resources, guidelines and specifications, and responding to unexpected or additional elements. Attention to detail is crucial.

Organized - ability to carefully plan activities, tasks, and projects; follow established procedures; and maintain accurate records.

Skill in taking initiative - identifying what needs to be done and doing it before being asked or before the situation requires it. Completes work in a timely and consistent manner.

Knowledge of positive youth development principles and leadership styles.

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Crew members will complete outdoor tree-related and nature-based climate management projects; learning about the environment and how to care for it; gaining exposure to different environmental career paths; and practicing leadership skills. We do hands-on, outdoor work caring for trees in our community by watering, mulching, weeding, pruning, planting and more! TRC members will have the chance to explore careers in natural resources, become more confident in their skills, be stewards of our public lands, and leaders in their community.

Develop work and life skills

Give back to the Dubuque community

Build lifelong friendships and be part of a diverse team

Engage with racial equity and inclusion efforts

Be outside and connect to the natural world

Learn about cool topics such as nature-based climate solutions, ecology, and biology

Work in a supportive and fun environment

No previous work experience is necessary, but a positive attitude is essential! This role will report to the TRC Crew Lead and will not exercise supervision over any other team members.

Crew members will be required to constantly perform manual labor in varying weather conditions; they will frequently walk over uneven terrain; and they may be asked to carry up to 40 pounds alone or with a teammate up to 100 feet anywhere from occasionally up to 2/3 or more of the time. Must have reliable transportation to/from work each day or communicate the need for assistance. It is expected that Crew Members will bring their lunch to work each day, but assistance can be arranged.

Work Days

Crew members work June 9 through August 7

Crew leads work 24 hours a week: Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. with occasional nights and weekends

Biweekly Stipend: $624

Responsibilities

Completes tree care and other nature-based climate projects as assigned.

Use of tree care equipment, such as shovels, pruners and more. Crew members will not be using mechanized equipment.

Follow rules, regulations and policies; helps to maintain safety of self and other participants.

Reports and takes responsibility for mistakes and/or accidents.

Works as part of a team; and participates in learning opportunities.

Openly shared successes and challenges; and seeks to understand all aspects of a project or skill.

Become a nature and climate ambassador – crew members will gain the skills needed to be leaders, advocates, and stewards for the natural world in their schools and communities.

Qualifications

At least 14 years old and NO MORE than 17 years old by program start date

Demonstrate excitement, commitment, and determination to learn, work, and act professionally to the vest of your ability if chosen for the program

Ability to learn safe practices and make good judgements related to safety

Ability to follow through on commitments. You must commit to a full season of work without missing any days

Strong interests in being a team player; you are willing to help with less-fun tasks

Willingness to take you new skills and knowledge back to your school or community to teach your peers about nature-based solutions to climate change and the TRC program

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