Crew Member

Please note: A cover letter is required for this role. With as much detail as possible, please outline why you are a good fit for this role, what anti-racism means to you, and how it informs your work.2026 CREW MEMBER(January-December)ABOUT EARTHCORPS:EarthCorps (EC) is a Seattle-based nonprofit organization that believes all people and nature can thrive together. Our aim is to create a global community of environmental leaders through local, hands-on service to the land and community. Putting our mission into action looks like an intensive year-long training program that unites young adults (ages 18-26ish) from across the United States and around the world to learn skills in leadership, environmental restoration, and culturally resonant community building.EarthCorps is committed to work that closes persistent and pervasive gaps, expands access and opportunity and promotes values of fairness in outcomes, belonging and respect. We prioritize fair access to environmental benefits, community-centered environmental practices, and balancing environmental outcomes across under-included communities. Each year, we strive to build a cohort program reflective of many different perspectives and experiences. Through this lens, EarthCorps builds a network of leaders who have the skills to build a bright future, while restoring vital lands and waters and connecting people to nature. This work is ongoing, and the organization is committed to being transparent with program participants about our work, as well as including their input to drive the direction of the organization towards a healthy, welcoming, and sustainable community for us all.CREW MEMBER PROGRAM:The EarthCorps program is an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in environmental restoration. Crew Members will serve on crews of 5-7 members led by an EarthCorps crew leader. Crew members will make a difference on the land through on-the-ground restoration projects throughout Western Washington. Ecological restoration is one tool to care for our land and address our shifting weather patterns and long-term ecological shifts. Crews at EarthCorps have an opportunity to directly improve the resiliency of our land by restoring habitat, improving water and air quality, reducing erosion, sequestering carbon and engaging the broader community to become stewards of our shared resource.In addition to impactful service, corps members will grow professionally and personally through training, engaging with environmental agencies, collaborating with staff, providing feedback, and practicing structured reflection. Corps members learn valuable team building skills as they work on bridging a wide range of lived experiences and backgrounds, their cross-cultural communication skills, conflict resolution management, and value-driven leadership capacity.This position is managed by the EarthCorps Operations Manager and supervised by EarthCorps Project Managers. It is offered through AmeriCorps and all applicants must meet the requirements to become an AmeriCorps member and abide by AmeriCorps policies.PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES, RESPONSIBILITIES & INTENDED OUTCOMES:FIELD SERVICE (80% of program)Crews complete restoration projects in partnership with various land management agencies, throughout the Puget Sound region (in urban, suburban, and rural settings). Crews are introduced to a broad range of project sites, different techniques and approaches to ecological restoration. This broad exposure will provide participants with skills to implement best management practices in restoration, an appreciation of the challenges of restoration and an understanding of the field of environmental restoration work. To better understand the types of projects crews work on please review some project overviews: linked here.Project Implementation: Crew Members are responsible for the efficiency of accomplishing projects and the quality of the final product under supervision from project staff. All corps Members and staff are responsible for the safety of themselves, their fellow workers, and members of the public who may be involved with projects.What type of service will Crew Members perform?Field Service Projects (and estimates of their typical percentage of the program):Vegetation control (manual,/ mechanical, chemical) 45%Indigenous Plant installation (planting)15%Stewardship/ Site maintenance20%Trail construction/maintenance20%Multiple camping trips. Camping trips give corps members a chance to learn and practice camping skills and deepen team development. In 2025 most organized camping trips were done in a front country (non-wilderness) setting, but each program year brings potential for backcountry wilderness trips as well. Typical duration of these trips is 3-4 nights, with the potential for a 10- day trip as well. In 2025, the number of nights camping ranged from 25-40 nights, roughly 1-2 weeks per month.TRAINING AND WORKSHOPS (20% of the program)EarthCorps is a service-learning program. This means in addition to learning from fieldwork, corps members will attend training to develop skills and context for restoration activities. Facilitators will use lectures, discussions, reflections, site tours and hands-on assignments. The following range of topics introduces corps members to the field of restoration and develops interpersonal skills:Habitat Restoration:Ecology, Land Management, Restoration Theory and SkillsPacific Northwest natural history and plant identificationExposure to the restoration industry and local environmental networkCommunity building:Explore local Environmental history and current community issuesExposure to local community organizations Fostering a sense of belonging, fairness, and respect and addressing internal disparities in treatment and opportunityLeadership:Understanding of leadership theory and personal leadership styleCollaboration in a small team and community building across teams at EarthCorpsSuccessful applicants will demonstrate the following:Ability and desire to work hard, outdoors and in all weather conditionsCommitment to cooperation and teamworkCommitment to embedding a lens of access, opportunity, and accountabilityEligibility for AmeriCorps and ability to complete term of serviceAbility to lift up to 50 pounds (22.5 kg); Hike up to 8 miles (13 km) in steep terrain while carrying 40 pounds (18kg) of weightExperience in the outdoors or physical laborCommitment to community service and previous experience in volunteer serviceEnthusiasm for environmental conservation, science, recreation, or other related fieldsCapacity to learn and grow in a service-based training positionEnvironmental restoration is a physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding service that takes place outdoors in all weather conditions. Service regularly requires:Long days of repetitively swinging heavy tools, shoveling, digging, and pulling.Heavy lifting up to 50 lbs. and bendingPhysically demanding activities, eating, and camping outdoors in all weather conditions such as rain, heat, smoke, wind, and snow.Safely handling herbicides with proper training.Interacting and collaborating with others daily online and in-personPlease consider the work before applying and contact us if you have specific questions or concerns.Corps Members will be expected to follow occasional additional procedures relating to public health and the mitigation of the spread of illness throughout of community. This may include the wearing of face coverings and necessary distancing between crew members in the field, among other crew protocolsCORPS MEMBER TERMS OF SERVICE:PERIOD OF SERVICE: January 20, 2026 - December 11, 2026RATE OF PAY: Living stipend of $3,000/monthTYPICAL HOURS OF SERVICE: 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tuesday - Friday, occasional Saturdays required.STATUS: Temporary - Enrolled in AmeriCorps. AmeriCorps members must abide by policies set by AmeriCorps and complete 1,700 hours of service, including mandatory trainingsCriminal history checks and 2 references will be reviewed to fulfill AmeriCorps requirementsBENEFITS:AmeriCorps education award of $7,395 upon successful completion of over 1,700 hoursDays off (8 sick and 6 vacation/personal), Holidays and sick time permissible as designated by EarthCorpsMedical, Vision, and Dental Insurance Subsidized ORCA Pass for bus transportation Education & TrainingBoots, pants, t-shirt, rain gear and safety equipment providedWe encourage applicants from all racial, ethnic, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds, sexual orientations, and gender identities to apply, especially those from under-included communities.