Conservation Jobs Corps (CJC) Crew Chief

SEASONAL CONTRACTUAL-NO BENEFITS

Contract Period: June 2013-August 2013

Up to 40 hrs/week

(67 vacancies)

ASSATEAGUE STATE PARK (Worcester County)

GUNPOWDER FALLS STATE PARK (Baltimore County)

MERKLE WILDLIFE SANTUARY (Prince Frederick County)

PATAPSCO VALLEY STATE PARK (Howard County/Baltimore County)

SENECA CREEK STATE PARK (Montgomery County)

SUSQUEHANNA STATE PARK (Harford County)

Organization Summary:

 The Maryland Conservation Corps (MCC) oversees the Conservation Jobs Corps (CJC). Both programs are administered by the Maryland Park Service, a unit of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.  The mission of the CJC is to provide disadvantaged or otherwise at-risk youth with development opportunities that integrate conservation service experience and job skills training with exposure to nature, experiential learning and recreation opportunities in the outdoors. The programs are open to youths aged 14 – 17. Both nature immersion and public service have restorative properties for the human spirit, and together they offer young people a unique opportunity to define their future - and themselves - in a positive way. It is the goal of these programs to maximize that opportunity.

Position Description:

The CJC Crew Chief is responsible for ensuring the regular, reliable and professional field-based implementation of conservation service projects while ensuring the training, safety and quality work performance of a crew comprised of approximately seven corps members.  The Crew Chief mentors members by seizing opportunities to enhance teamwork, cooperation, self-esteem, self-confidence, decision making, problem solving, conflict resolution, trust, leadership and goal setting for individuals and for the group as a whole.  The Crew Chief accompanies members on outdoor recreation and experiential learning excursions, including but not limited to one two-night camping trip to one of several possible Maryland State Parks and other locally based activities such as canoe or kayak adventures, hikes, swimming trips, environmental education, interpretive programs and other outdoor activities. 

The Crew Chief is also responsible for tracking and managing the data from the field-based duties, including paperwork and some reporting.  The Crew Chief oversees the crew of corps members, interacts with the public, as well as with internal contacts and supervisors, and maintains the integrity of the CJC program by always demonstrating reliable and professional behavior. 

Field-based duties may include some or all of the following: litter abatement, recycling, invasive species and weed control, trail construction and maintenance, wildlife habitat restoration, tree planting, park development, light construction, landscaping, campground renovations, general beautification and maintenance of park buildings, facilities and grounds.  Tools required for the job include most hand tools such as hammers, screwdrivers, loppers, saws, digging bars, pulaskis, hoes, rakes, wheelbarrows, brooms, shovels and axes, as well as power tools such as chainsaws, commercial weed eaters, circular saws and power drills.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Fred Banks 410-260-8150/410-218-8581 fbanks@dnr.state.md.us

Essential Job Functions and Duties:

• Develop the skills of corps members by seeing that all corps members learn safe and professional work practices, including but not limited to the following:
  • Proper use of hand tools;
  • Professional courtesy to community members, park staff and others they come in contact with in the field;
  • Adherence to DNR and CJC policies, rules and regulations; and
  • Clear articulation of work project activities, goals and related services. 
• Maintain the satisfaction of Site Supervisors by ensuring that projects are properly, professionally and completely serviced.
• Manage the data associated with work project assignments as required by the CJC Program Coordinator.
• Ensure the reliable, safe and clean operation of any assigned vehicles, hand tools and power tools, and report all issues and problems to the Site Supervisor.
• Provide regular corps member updates, reports and evaluations of their adjustment to the work environment and their overall progress.
• Supervise, motivate, direct and encourage corps members in job skills training, field education and on-the-job training.
• Maintain discipline among corps members individually and on the crew as a whole. ·        Fairly, reasonably and consistently enforce policies and regulations.
• Encourage a strong work ethic and positive morale through exercises in team work and cooperation.
• Mentor, coach and support members by seizing opportunities to enhance teamwork, cooperation, self-esteem, self-confidence, decision making, problem solving, trust, leadership and goal setting for individuals and for the group as a whole.
• Conduct regular crew-based corps member training and instructional presentations in critical areas related to safety and professional job performance including the following:
  • First aid and workplace safety
  • Environmental issues and conservation
  • Community relations
  • Work ethic
  • Communications
  • Site-specific work project needs, goals and activities      
• Conduct regular one-on-one corps member meetings to review corps member progress, participation and other issues related to their ongoing employment in the MCC. 
• Coordinate safe storage and distribution of breakfast, lunch and afternoon snacks to members.

Position Obligations and Responsibilities:

The Crew Chief is responsible for the overall supervision of a field-based crew.  The program begins Monday June 24, and concludes with a graduation ceremony on Friday, August 2, 2013.  Dates are subject to change.  During this six-week period, full-time availability (40 hours/week) is mandatory.  Dates that fall outside this period, including training, are variable and generally less than 40 hours per week.  Specific duties for the position include the following:

• Report for work daily no later than 7:30 a.m.  Roll call for corps members begins promptly at 7:45 a.m.  Oversee roll call and attendance for corps members assigned to the Crew Chief roster.  Stay on site through 4:00 PM and as long as required to finish daily paperwork and other work-specific reports, feedback and meetings. These hours are subject to change.
• Be responsible for issuing and collecting equipment and information used on the crew each day.  Be responsible for the condition of the equipment, tools and information.  Equipment varies and depends on the particular assignment of that crew. 
• Ensure that the crew vehicle is fueled up for/at/by the beginning of work each day.
• Ensure that all paperwork is filled out.  Typical paperwork includes the crew roster, written project reports, corps member evaluations, vehicle inspection forms, incident reports and others.
• Visually inspect the crew vehicle daily and take action to correct any defects, problems or safety issues.
• Must maintain issued communication devices (radios and/or telephones) in charged and operable condition at all times.  Devices must be turned on and carried within hearing range at all times while on duty.

Working Conditions:

• Work is primarily outdoors, resulting in exposure to sun, rain, mud, fog, extreme heat and cold, wind, extreme humidity, pollen and other airborne irritants, sudden temperature changes, and other climatic phenomena.  In addition, performance of duties often requires work in remote areas characterized by rugged terrain, with steep and sometimes slippery slopes.  Service projects take place in a variety of environments, including forested areas, swamps, wetlands, open water and other habitats.
• Operating some types of equipment or machinery may also result in exposure to noise, airborne debris, vibrations, and hazardous conditions requiring the use of safety gear such as ear and eye protection, hard hats, etc.
• Work involves special physical demands such as lifting 50 pounds or more, climbing ladders, bending, lifting, stretching, pulling, walking or standing for extended periods of time.

• Must be at least 21 years old.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.  Driving record status will be taken into consideration.
• Current CPR and Basic First Aid certification is mandatory.
• Must have a high school diploma or equivalent; some college-level education is preferred.
• Experience working with children and youth is required, and experience working with at-risk youth is preferred.
• Must have two years’ experience in supervision, management and/or employee mentoring/counseling.
• Successful applicants must consent to and pass a background investigation prior to employment.
• Experience working in the outdoors is preferred.
• Must have the endurance for working outdoors in variable and unpredictable climatic and terrain conditions.
• Must be capable of performing various types of physical labor.  Must be able to bend, stretch, push, lift, pull and/or stand for extended periods of time. Coordination and flexibility are essential to fulfill job duties.
• Must be able to prepare legible and intelligible reports in English.

Additional Requirements:

• Must have excellent customer service skills.
• Must be able to make important and sometimes life-critical decisions in the field to protect the safety of corps members and the community at large as well as to protect the integrity of the CJC program.
• Must be able to readily recognize corps member issues including impairment due to drugs, alcohol, medication or other causes.  Must be able to recognize and address corps member issues, complaints and needs in a professional and constructive manner, and in full accordance with CJC policies and procedures.
• Must maintain working knowledge of CJC staff and corps member policies.      
• Must demonstrate a willingness to work as necessary to accomplish project goals.
• Must be flexible in work assignments; sometimes this position is required to change days of the week, assignments, locations, and/or projects. Some weekend work may be required.
• Must attend and successfully complete the CJC Academy, which will require 50 hours of training and an overnight camping experience in June 2013.  Must attend and successfully complete any subsequent training required during the course of the program.

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment, and report all experience and education that is related to this position.  Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will proceed to the next phase of evaluation.

As an equal opportunity employer Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity.

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