Assistant Crew Leader, Forest Preserve Experience Program

Assistant Crew Leader, Forest Preserve Experience Program

Reports to: FPE Crew Leader

Open until filled | Start Date: June 16, 2025

Salary: $17.50 per hour

30 hours paid training June 16-18 & June 23- June 27

8am - 3pm

25 hours per week June 30 thru August 1, 2025

July 4 off, unpaid

8:00 am to 1:00 pm, Monday-Friday

Organization:

Mission: We unite people to protect, promote, and care for the forest preserves in Cook County.

Our community advocates for the responsible management of the nearly 70,000 acres of forest

preserves in Cook County through advocacy, engagement, and stewardship of the land. Some of the

best natural areas in Illinois are right here in Cook County, right outside your urban backdoor. Join

our team and help us ensure they are here for the next 100 years.

Friends is an organization that gets things done with our members, volunteers, staff, board, and

partners. We believe in work-life balance and are here for the marathon, not the sprint (not that we

don’t sprint on a regular basis).

Operating Budget: $3,750,000

Summary: Friends of the Forest Preserves seeks Assistant Crew Leaders to be part of the Forest

Preserve Experience (FPE) leadership team. FPE is a five-week outdoor summer program for high

school youth focused on job skill development, restoration training and work, environmental

education, and exposure to the forest preserves and jobs in conservation. For many participants, this

program serves as a first job, so Assistant Crew Leaders excel in relating to and guiding youth

through the program. Successful candidates have great communication skills, outgoing

personalities, and the desire to build their leadership skills.

Responsibilities:

● Support Crew Leaders with supervising, motivating, coordinating, and mentoring 12 high

school youth (ages 14-19) employed in the FPE program.

● Co-lead a variety of hands-on ecological conservation and restoration projects (such as

invasive species removal and litter pick-up) in forest preserves in Cook County

● Plan and lead team building exercises and games with Crew Leaders

● Assist in leading educational activities

● Assist Crew Leaders with administrative duties such as tracking attendance and

encouraging appropriate crew member engagement and behavior

● Demonstrate safe tool usage and teach basic invasive plant identification to crew members

and ensure safety procedures are followed

● Positively represent Friends of the Forest Preserves at work site and while participating in

recreational activities

Required Qualifications:

● 18 - 20 years old

● Must have participated in Forest Preserve Experience as a crew member previously

● Ability to arrive at meet up locations in south suburbs of Cook County on time

● Must be able to attend a mandatory training June 16 - June 27 in addition to the entire length

of program

● Experience working with diverse groups of youth and strong interest in working with and

mentoring youth

● Ability to maintain inclusive, safe, productive, and enjoyable work environment

● Current Basic First Aid and Adult CPR certifications or willingness to obtain (Training provided)

● Willingness to obtain an Illinois Alternative Herbicide license (Training provided)

● Ability to lift and move heavy objects (50 lbs.) and work outside in inclement weather and

extreme temperatures.