Temporary Housatonic Valley Association Still River Watershed Connections Crew Leader
Job Description
Summary:
The Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) is seeking an enthusiastic and motivated individual to teach and lead a crew of high school youth on environmental restoration work and assist with outreach, education, and community events in the summer of 2023. This program has three goals that the Crew Leader will be responsible for: 1) Implementation of the Still River Watershed Plan; 2) Environmental education and career development for the youth in the program; and 3) Public outreach about the program and Still River Watershed Planning efforts.
Position Description:
The Crew Leader will be responsible for teaching watershed science and supervising a crew of high school students as they work on and learn from restoration projects throughout the Danbury, CT area. At the end of the summer program, the Crew Leader will help the crew design and execute a presentation to the community about the work they’ve accomplished. Specific restoration projects may include, but are not limited to:
- invasive plant management
- riparian buffer plantings
- water quality sampling
- trail maintenance
- stream health data collection and rain garden maintenance
Throughout the summer, the Crew Leader, in coordination with the Connections program, will also assist with the installation and maintenance of 3-4 rain gardens in western Connecticut, and collaborate with HVA to develop outreach strategies and materials related to stormwater pollution and highlighting the rain gardens as a mitigation tool.
About the Still River Watershed Connections (“Connections”) Program:
Connections is a youth program focused on the Still River watershed in the Danbury, CT area. This program emerged from an ongoing local watershed planning effort to restore water quality in the Still River and its tributaries. The program provides high school students with opportunities to build personal connections to the river and each other by working on projects that improve habitat and water quality in the Still River. In the process students gain exposure to key job skills and careers in environmental science that will ultimately build 21st century skills and help catalyze future stewardship in their communities.
Duties:
- Plan and execute daily activities, guiding crew members to complete restoration goals
- Ensure the personal safety of crew members
- Reinforce positive work etiquette and approve crew members’ time sheets
- Ensure group cohesion, promote team work, and resolve conflict proactively
- Design and deliver environmental education lesson plans both in-field and online (if necessary)
- Communicate field work and crew progress with program partners
- Create public outreach materials
- Track program impact through data collection and management
- Provide guidance to students as they interact with the public through their daily tasks and their end of season presentations
- Be the public face of the Connections Program in the field
Required Experience/Qualifications:
- Experience supervising groups of teenagers. Examples may include, but are not limited to: outdoor leadership programs, trail maintenance crew, science education, camp experience, etc.
- Scientific background in environmental science, biology, hydrology, natural resource management, or similar field
- Experience working outdoors on restoration projects, trail maintenance, or other related field experience
- Enthusiasm for teaching and learning
- Excellent interpersonal, conflict resolution, communication and organizational skills
- Applicant must have access to a reliable vehicle, valid driver’s license, clean driving record
Desired Qualifications:
- Experience planning environmental education activities on a daily and/or weekly basis
- Familiarity using Facebook and Instagram and developing outreach materials
- Spanish and/or Portuguese fluency is a plus
- Wilderness First Aid/CPR training (HVA can help qualified applicants obtain this training)
Position Structure:
This is a full-time 8-week position (40 hours/week) from mid-June to late-August. Position start and end date can be flexible for the right candidate! Approximately 70% of the work will involve prepping and leading the Connections Program, with the remaining 30% involving outreach, education, and community events focused on green infrastructure, native landscaping projects, and stormwater runoff education. The Crew Leader will be directly supervised by HVA’s Connecticut Watershed Manager. This job is based in Danbury, CT with field supplies located at the HVA office in Cornwall Bridge, CT.
Compensation:
- $18/hour for 8 weeks
- Work-related travel using personal vehicles will be compensated based on mileage
- Housing is not provided, but HVA will assist successful applicants in finding lodging near the HVA office, if necessary
How to Apply
To Apply:
- Send a cover letter describing interest and qualifications, resume, and contact information for two references—if accessible, in a single PDF document with your full name and “Connections Crew Leader” in the title—to Michael S. Jastremski (HVA Watershed Conservation Director) at [email protected] and Rodrigo G. Pinto (HVA Connecticut Watershed Manager) at [email protected]
- Position open until filled
HVA is an equal opportunity employer. If you have the drive, interest and skills to succeed in this position, tell us about what you can do and we will consider your application. HVA provides equal employment opportunities to all eligible persons and administers personnel policies and practices in accordance with all applicable state and federal laws. We do not discriminate or abide discrimination on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, political belief or affiliation, veteran status, sexual orientation, legal history, genetic information, intellectual disability, mental disability or physical disability unless such disability prevents performance of the work required. Our commitment to equal opportunity is a guiding principle in all of our employment practices and policies.
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