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UPLIFT Crew Leader

Seasonal, Full-Time 
 

Reports to: Landscape Foreman

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Job Overview: 

The UpLift program is a 10-month opportunity to gain experience with environmental restoration work with the goal of starting a career in the environmental field upon graduation. Howard EcoWorks provides all participants with training and mentoring on professional development topics, technical environmental skills, and industry exposure and networking opportunities. In addition, all UpLift participants will be enrolled in the Maryland Corps / Service Year Option Program and will complete all Service Year requirements, including attending and actively participating in monthly trainings and communicating with Service Year staff.


The UpLift Crew Leader leads, supervises, and instructs assigned Crew Members in projects such as installing rain gardens, conservation landscapes, and other stormwater management practices, as well as performing tasks such as landscaping maintenance, invasive plant removal, stream cleanup, and more. The Crew Leader ensures that team members 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. This includes assigning members work tasks, providing feedback on members' work, and managing the time spent as well as the quality of work. As the first line of management, a Crew Leader is responsible for handling safety and disciplinary matters, which may include escalating issues to higher level management. A Crew Leader also motivates their team and participates in all professional development activities alongside their Crew Members.

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Responsibilities & Duties

  • Lead, supervise, and physically support a crew to properly install and maintain landscaping projects.

  • Responsible for enforcing safety protocols at all times and especially on job sites.

  • 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 them in the company vehicles.

  • 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 the 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 the cleanup of job sites and proper storage and/or disposal of materials. 

  • Communicate progress and issues to the Program Foreman and/or Program Coordinator as appropriate.

  • Engage in community outreach and public engagement

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  • Environmental Stewardship (~85% of service)

    • Installation and maintenance of tree plantings, native pollinator gardens, conservation landscapes, and rain gardens.

    • Perform woodland management, including the removal of invasive species.

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

    • Conduct maintenance of stream restoration projects.

    • Collect and propagate seeds of native species.

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  • 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.​


 

Qualifications & Requirements:

  • Must be 18+ by September 3, 2026.

  • Intention to enter the workforce in the green industry (as opposed to educational pursuits) following completion of the program.

  • 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 be dependable.

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

  • Must have reliable transportation to the meeting location each day. Most days will start at Holly Hills, 14270 Burntwoods Rd, Glenwood, MD, 21738. Some days will require meeting at the Ecoworks office at 9770 Patuxent Woods Drive, Columbia, MD, 21046.

  • Must meet our required level of proficiency for driving a truck and trailer safely following provided training.

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

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Preferred Qualifications:

  • Passion and/or interest in the outdoors

  • Previous experience working outdoors or in landscaping.

  • Flexible with changes in day-to-day tasks.

 

Wage: $17.50/hr 

  • Upon successful completion of your year of service, participants may earn a $6,000 completion award from the Maryland Corps / Service Year Option program.

 

Benefits:

  • Access to the Howard EcoWorks health benefits plan.

  • UpLift participants are given 10 days paid leave to be used for sick days, work absences, and scheduled vacations. Time off will be accrued by working in the program. Advance notice and supervisor approval are required for scheduled absences.

  • UpLift participants are granted the following paid holidays, to the extent a listed holiday falls within the timeframe of the seasonal contract: Labor Day, Indigenous Peoples Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, American Indian Heritage Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, and Memorial Day. 

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

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Job Timeline:

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  • Spring Season Start Date: September 3, 2026.

  • Season End Date: June 11, 2027.

  • 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 will be offered on inclement-weather days.

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How to Apply:

Priority Deadline: May 1, 2026

  • Apply HERE to MD Corps Service Year Option. When the host site matching process begins, select Howard Ecoworks as your host site partner, and follow the instructions provided.

  • Email the Program Coordinator, Matt, at mhemler@howardecoworks.org and let him know that you applied.​

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Check the Service Year website for deadline information after May 1. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until all positions are filled. Additional information about the program can be found here.

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Contact: If you have any questions about the job positions or hiring, please contact Matt Hemler at mhemler@howardecoworks.org.

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