Montana Conservation Corps believes that through conservation service work and authentic connection, you can sharpen your ability to create change and join the next generation of leaders for a better world. At MCC, we focus on the growth of our participants, positively impacting our climate and environment, and transferable job skills.

Location: Bozeman, Helena, Kalispell, and Missoula MT

Ages: 21-35

Program Dates: 02/10/2025-10/23/2025

Living Allowance: $1,440 biweekly ($2,880 p/month) before taxes are taken out

AmeriCorps Education Award: $5,176.50 upon completion of the program

Health Insurance: Provided at NO COST

Member Assistance Program: Free 24/7 access to confidential behavioral health counseling, financial assistance, medical/legal advocacy, and more!

Public Lands Service Corps Hiring Preference: Members serving with federal land management agencies may be eligible to receive hiring preference for future federal job placement

Supportive coaching staff invested in your success.

Community Spaces: Access to two community spaces, Corps Members of Color and LGBTQIA2+ Corps Members, to build community, connection, and support during the season.

Food Per Diem while on Projects

Access to Pro Deals

Housing options may be available in specific regions; talk with a Program Manager to learn more!!

What you will do:

Senior Crew Leaders (SCLs) are an integral part of our regional office teams. As a Senior Crew Leader, you will assist with the training of our Field Leaders, spend ample time with crews in the field to help ensure the successful completion of MCC projects and programming, and provide logistical support to ensure regional operations run smoothly including equipment management and administrative tasks. The needs of this position will vary based on the time of year and the region where the SCL is serving.

During the months of February through May, you will  play a key role in the development and delivery of the Leadership Development Program (LDP) and will be frequently asked to take on the role of instructor, teacher, and mentor during the three month training period preceding the field season. This could include teaching field skills, assisting with technical training, and modeling the tenets of our leadership model. During the months of June – October, you can expect to spend the majority of your time in the field supporting project work, crew leaders and members, and maintaining positive relationships with our project partners. This is a great opportunity for anyone with former leadership experience who is looking to enhance their leadership capacity, gain a greater understanding of how a field program is managed, and invested in taking on the role of a mentor and teacher.

MCC Crews will camp for the full duration of a hitch (i.e. 4-9 day project assignment), oftentimes in remote locations on varied terrain and in all weather conditions. Camping accommodations vary, including car-camping and remote backcountry settings away from a vehicle. Since this position supports all types of crews in the field, work may include building or maintaining trails, treating or removing invasive species, low tech process based restoration (beaver dams), building fences, operating chainsaws to reduce wildfire risks by thinning trees, clearing trees with crosscuts and axes in the backcountry, and many other types of projects. Not all SCLs will work on all types of projects! SCLs may be called upon to lead a crew when necessary and may also be deployed for natural disaster relief.

Who we are looking for:

We often see applicants who don’t realize they are qualified to take on a leadership role here at MCC, especially those coming from marginalized communities. MCC is a developmental program and it is our job to teach, train, and develop leadership competencies in our participants. We recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job, therefore our job descriptions are guidelines, not hard and fast rules. Your experience, which may include paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work, helps build the competencies and knowledge that translates to our openings. We encourage anyone to apply who has an interest in conservation and bettering themselves for the future.

What Qualities Make a Successful Senior Crew Leader at MCC:

• A passion for service, the environment, and conservation.
• A positive mental attitude and seeing others with positive regard.
• Adaptability and flexibility.
• A commitment to serving the whole term.
• A growth mindset – coming willing to learn, grow, and challenge yourself.
• A commitment to motivating others and their success.
• A desire to hone your personal leadership style 
• A desire to spend ample time in the field with crew doing project work
• Experience with field-based programming, mentorship, and teaching

MCC is committed to being diverse, welcoming, and inclusive. We are working to reduce barriers to participating in our programs. This program is available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, marital or parental status, genetic information, and military service. We encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.

Senior Crew Leader Qualifications:

• High school degree, GED, or willingness to work towards obtaining a GED
• 21 years old on the start date of the program
• Valid driver’s license, ability to pass a Motor Vehicle Records check
• US Citizen, National or Lawful Permanent Resident
• Ability to pass a National Service Criminal History Check
• Ability to hike 3-12 miles per day in terrain that can be steep, rocky or uneven, often wearing a 45lb backpack while carrying tools and sometimes backpacking with full packs of 60 – 70lbs
• Ability to lift up to 35 pounds repeatedly and use hand and power tools
• Effective written and oral communication skills
• Ability to obtain Wilderness Advanced First Aid/CPR training. (Training is reimbursable to allotted amount/ MCC provides training)
• Demonstrates strong service ethic and desire to serve the community and the environment
• Embraces willingness to work long, hard hours in all weather conditions; ability to be away on overnight trips for up to 10 days at a time
• Commitment to completing term; available for duration of entire term of service

Senior Crew Leader Preferred Qualifications:

• One season as a Crew Leader with a Conservation Corps Program
• Have gone through MCC’s Leadership Development Program