Crew Leader (Community Stewardship Program- Seasonal)

How you will contribute as part of the TRCA team:

TRCA’s Community Stewardship Program trains volunteers and engages community participants in hands-on stewardship activities to help implement and maintain priority restoration projects across its jurisdiction.

The Crew Leader position in the Community Stewardship team is responsible for assisting with the delivery of the community stewardship activities and projects, follow up project maintenance, metrics tracking, and administrative responsibilities as needed.

This position involves interaction with various sectors of the community, including residents, volunteers, schools, businesses, community groups and municipal partners. Key aspects of this role involve preparing restoration sites for community stewardship activities, participating in field activities, working directly with participants in the field, delivering educational messages, monitoring, and maintaining restoration sites, supporting team with the delivery of Citizen Science/Volunteer Program training, data entry and field activities.

During Non-Peak Field Season (Early March to Mid-April and Early June to Mid-September) typical Monday to Friday schedule of 35/week with occasional chance of evening or weekend work. During this time, typical field staff hours range from 7:00am– 3:00pm, but may be adjusted depending on the assignment.

During Peak Field Season (Mid-April to Early June and Mid-September to Early November) high frequency of weekend and potential work. During this period, staff will have the opportunity to "Time-Shift" and/or work extra hours per week (not exceed 44hrs/week) as needed. During this time, field staff hours can range from 7:00am–10:00am start time, to a 3:00pm-6pm end time, depending on the assignment.

Major Responsibilities:

• Provide on-site leadership, oversight, and support as part of a crew implementing tasks within ecological restoration projects with a focus on engaging community participants and volunteers in ‘hands-on” stewardship activities.
• As part of the Community Stewardship team, field crews can anticipate:
  • Planting 50-70 potted trees and/or shrubs per day.
  • Constantly adapt to site condition changes (terrain, weather, unexpected scenarios, equipment issues, design issues) including changes in restoration plans.  
  • Repetitious and strenuous physical activities including line trimming, watering, digging, bending, lifting, post-pounding, rodent guarding, mulching, monitoring, collecting, and submitting daily project metrics, and the carrying materials and equipment weighing 25-50lbs.
• Delivering community stewardship events including:
  • Securing all necessary tools, supplies and materials for the event.
  • Setting up and taking down event equipment.
  • Coordinating and training participants to deliver restoration activities.
  • Implementing safety plan for event and ensuring safety of participants.
• Participate in and/or leads daily safety meetings including tailgate meetings, hazard identification and emergency planning.
• Assisting Technicians with reviewing, assessing, and adjusting program protocols as needed.
• Participating in meetings and site visits as required.
• Ensures quality control checks and tests are instigated, with records maintained and accessible.  
• Assists with maintenance of equipment and vehicles, performs circle and other health and safety checks. Reports potential maintenance requirements to supervisor.
• Operates machinery and equipment required to execute work duties related to specific project/program area (i.e., line trimmers, RTVs, tractors, and walk behind mowers etc.)
• Participates in other duties as assigned.
• Incumbents may also be assigned other duties.

What will you need to succeed:

Education (degree/diploma/certifications)    

• Working toward or has completed post-secondary education in biology, environmental science, resource management or a related field and pursuing a career in environmental or related field.
• Knowledge of restoration ecology and terrestrial ecosystems, and common plant identification and ecology
• Valid G driver’s license.

Experience

• Experience working with community groups and volunteers.
• Ability to read and interpret maps.

Knowledge/Skill/Ability

• Excellent communication skills in all modes (written, verbal, presentations, social media etc.) and ability to gear information to a variety of audiences.
• Ability and aptitude to work outdoors in adverse conditions.
• Good physical fitness to carry out major responsibilities.
• Familiar with basic equipment and power tools.
• Demonstrated ability to proactively identify problems in a timely manner, seeking the appropriate level of support to solve issues. 
• Standard First Aid an asset.

• Proficiency in MS Office suite including online software such as MS teams, WebEx, and SharePoint.

Knowledge of Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, and related regulations.