Crew Leader, Forest Preserve Experience Program 

Reports to: Youth and Engagement Corps Manager 

Open until filled | Start Date: June 16, 2025 

Salary: $23.51 470 per hour 

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

8am - 3pm 

28 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 Crew Leaders to be part of the Forest Preserve

Experience (FPE) leadership team. FPE is a five-week summer program for teens, 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 Crew

Leaders excel in relating to and guiding youth through the program. Successful candidates have

strong communication skills, experience leading high school aged students, and a passion for

environmental conservation.

Responsibilities:

● Co-supervise, motivate, coordinate, and mentor 12 high school youth (ages 14-19) employed

in the FPE program

● Plan and 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

● Lead educational activities as well as team building exercises and games

● Demonstrate safe tool usage and ensure safety procedures are followed

● Teach basic invasive plant identification to crew members

● Evaluate and document crew attendance, work activities, and performance

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

recreational activities

Required Qualifications:

● 21 years or older

● Ability to arrive at forest preserve locations and community colleges in south suburbs of

Cook County on time

● Must be able to attend mandatory training June 16 - June 27 in addition to being able to serve

entire length of program

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

mentoring youth

● Ability to foster strong work habits, environmental ethics, leadership, and team unity

● Experience teaching in classroom and/or field setting a plus

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

● Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills

● Outdoor skills, plant identification skills, knowledge of Midwestern ecology is preferred but not required

● Current basic First Aid and adult CPR certifications or willingness to obtain one (Training provided)

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

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

extreme temperatures

Dates of Employment:

Local Program Training: June 16-18 & June 23- June 27 from 8 am to 3 pm

Program Dates: June 30 thru August 1 (5 days a week for 5 weeks)

July 4 off, unpaid

Crew Leaders work 8:00 am to 1:00 pm, Monday thru Friday

To apply: Submit cover letter, resume, and two references via the Friends’ website at

https://fotfp.org/who-we-are/jobs/. Incomplete applications may not be considered. Please

NO calls, faxes, office visits, or emails.

Friends of the Forest Preserves strongly encourages people of all identities to apply. We strive to

include people of every race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or

veteran status, and/or sexual orientation. Friends is an equal opportunity employer, in addition to

observing all legal protections of special status, promoting diversity in the conservation community.