top of page

JOB DESCRIPTION: Maryland Corps | UpLift Conservation Crew Leader
Seasonal, Full-Time 

 

Reports to: Landscape Foreman

 

Job Overview: 

A Maryland Corps UpLift Conservation Crew Leader will be an essential part of the team in providing leadership to conservation crews. This is a 9-month opportunity to gain experience with environmental restoration work.  Howard EcoWorks also provides training in various soft-skills as well as coaching to give one a leg-up on finding a job in the environmental industry. The Crew Leader leads, supervises, and instructs assigned Crew Members in the construction of rain gardens, conservation landscapes, and other stormwater management practices, as well as leading their crew in performing landscaping maintenance, invasive plant removal, stream cleanup, and more.

 

As the first line of management, he or she is responsible for handling safety and disciplinary matters, which may include escalating issues to higher level management.  He or she is also responsible for ensuring that team members have the skills and training necessary to complete their assignments correctly, safely, and in a timely manner.  Working with operational and administrative staff, the Crew Leader will help to coordinate and implement the work plan for each day. The results of what a crew does needs to be on time, on budget, and meet or exceed quality expectations.  A Crew Leader ensures that the crew meets those objectives in performing their work.  A Crew Leader also motivates their team and participates in the professional development of the Crew Members.  The Crew Leader holds the ultimate responsibility for ensuring the entire crew works safely, and ensures crew operations do not endanger those not in the crew, such as customers.  Crew Leaders also have the responsibility for ensuring the success of the program through proper execution and delivery of our services.

​​

Responsibilities & Duties:

  • Leadership Duties: 

    • Lead and supervise a crew to properly implement and maintain projects

    • Responsible for enforcing safety protocols

    • Required to drive the company vehicle(s) and trailer to transport the crew and/or materials to and from job sites

    • Responsible for the safety of the crew while transporting

    • Caring for the company vehicle(s) on a daily and weekly basis while ensuring adherence to weekly Vehicle Inspection Reports.

    • Utilize and look after a company credit card for purchase of gas in company vehicle(s)

    • Properly use and care for company tools and equipment

    • Ensure that Crew Members perform their tasks skillfully, safely, and in a workmanlike fashion

    • Ensure the crew delivers EcoWorks services timely, efficiently, and of expected quality

    • Manage and report crew attendance

    • Read and implement Work Plans, Landscape Designs, and Planting Plans, and use them to guide the crew to correctly install projects

    • Determine and assign daily tasks to Crew Members

    • Plan, execute, and assess the day-to-day activities of the crew to ensure adherence to project schedules

    • Oversee clean up of job sites and proper storage and/or disposal of materials 

    • Communicate progress and issues to Landscape Foreman

    • Community outreach and public engagement 

    • Assist in construction and maintenance as needed

  • Environmental Stewardship (~85% of service)

    • Conduct stream restoration maintenance 

    • Install trees, native pollinator gardens, conservation landscapes, and rain gardens

    • Remove invasive species

    • Support a native plant nursery and land management at Holly Hills, EcoWorks headquarters 

    • Remove tree shelters and maintain tree planting projects

    • Collect and propagate seeds of native species

    • Install and maintain other environmental projects as assigned

  • Disaster Relief & Recovery Support (10-15% of service)

    • Provide post-disaster support by assisting with cleanup efforts, debris removal, repairs, and distribution of necessary supplies to affected communities.

    • Support disaster preparedness through education, tabling, and community outreach.

    • Note: These activities represent a sample of the activities that members will perform

  •  Note: These activities represent a sample of the activities that members will perform.​

 

Qualifications & Requirements:

  • Must be 18+ by September 10, 2025 

  • Proven track record of strong leadership, communications, and process improvement skills

  • Able and willing to work in a variety of outdoor settings, including forests and streams

  • Knowledge or interest in nature-based solutions such as green infrastructure, rain gardens, and sustainable gardening practices.

  • Ability to work with a team as well as independently

  • Can physically stand, bend, squat, and lift up to 40 pounds repetitively throughout the day

  • Must have reliable transportation to the company office each day

  • Must meet our required level of proficiency for driving a truck and trailer safely

  • Must have a valid driver’s license and a clean driving record

  • May be asked to use a personal vehicle if applicable. Approved mileage is reimbursed

 

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Passion and/or interest in the outdoors

  • Previous experience working outdoors or in landscaping

  • Flexible with changes in day to day tasks

 

Wages: $17/hr

  • Upon successful completion of your year of service, participants may earn:

    • A Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship Certificate, if applicable to your service role.

    • ​A $6,000 completion award.

​

Benefits:

  • Access to health benefits plan

  • Paid sick leave - 1 hour of Sick and Safe Leave accumulated for every 30 hours worked, accumulating up to 40 hours per year.  Accrual starts on the first day of employment and one is eligible to use sick and safe leave after the completion of 30 days of employment

  • Seasonal full-time employees are given one personal day eligible after 30 days of continuous employment 

  • Seasonal full-time employees are granted the following paid holidays, to the extent a listed holiday falls within the timeframe of the seasonal contract:

    • New Year’s Day

    • Memorial Day

    • Independence Day

    • Labor Day

    • Thanksgiving Day

    • Christmas Day

  • Option to enroll in the EcoWorks 401(k) plan

​​

Job Timeline:

  • Fall Season Start Date: September 10th, 2025 

  • Season End Date: June 23rd, 2026

  • Full-time, hourly position, expected 40 hours / week

  • Monday - Friday from 7 am to 3:30 pm, including a half-hour unpaid lunch break and 2 paid 15-minute breaks per day

  • Weekend work opportunities may become available but are not mandatory

  • Work in the field is weather-dependent, which may result in shortened work weeks in the event of extreme weather.  Indoor training and professional development opportunities may be offered on bad-weather days, when possible.

​

Application Process:

  • Deadline to Apply: We are taking applications until the positions are filled. This is a multistep process REQUIRED by the State of Maryland to become an MD Corps Member.

  • Step 1: Create a profile on the BuildWithin Portal (Link Below)

  • Step 2: Select Howard EcoWorks positions: Conservation Crew Member.

bottom of page