SUPPORT WRV
Crew Leader: Guiding Volunteers in the Field
Crew Leaders play a key role in Wildlands Restoration Volunteers’ projects by leading volunteer crews during hands-on restoration work. As a Crew Leader, you help ensure projects are safe, organized, and engaging while supporting volunteers as they contribute to caring for Colorado’s natural areas.
Crew Leaders work closely with Project Leaders, Technical Advisors, and other volunteer leaders to carry out project plans in the field. Your leadership helps create a positive experience that builds confidence, skills, and community among volunteers.
What Is a Crew Leader?
A Crew Leader (CL) is a trained volunteer leader who supervises a small group of volunteers during a WRV restoration project. Crew Leaders provide instruction, guidance, and encouragement while ensuring tasks are completed safely and effectively. This role serves as a direct connection between volunteers and the overall project plan.
How Crew Leaders Make an Impact
Crew Leaders help translate restoration plans into action. By demonstrating techniques, answering questions, and supporting teamwork, Crew Leaders empower volunteers to contribute meaningfully to restoration work. Their leadership fosters a safe, inclusive, and productive environment in the field.
Responsibilities and Collaboration
Crew Leaders collaborate with Project Leaders, Technical Advisors, Tool Managers, and WRV staff to support project success. Responsibilities may include leading work tasks, monitoring safety, managing tools within the crew, and communicating progress or concerns to the broader leadership team.
Background, Training, and Preparation
Crew Leaders typically complete WRV’s leadership training and gain experience through participation in multiple projects. The role requires strong communication skills, comfort working outdoors, and the ability to support a diverse group of volunteers. WRV provides training and mentorship to help Crew Leaders feel prepared and confident.
Commitment and Involvement
Crew Leaders may support projects throughout the season based on availability. The role often includes preparation before project day and active leadership during the project. Serving as a Crew Leader is an opportunity to deepen your impact, develop leadership skills, and strengthen connections within the WRV community.
CREW LEADER
Description
A crew leader (CL) is trained to motivate, guide, and instruct volunteers in effective, safe, and enjoyable ecological restoration. Due to the direct contact with volunteers, the CL role is extremely important to the success of WRV in fulfilling its goal to heal the land and build community.
Objectives
Crew leaders guide volunteers to safely complete a project section and ensure the volunteer experience is personally rewarding. This ensures volunteers return for future projects.
Responsibilities
- Ensure volunteers are safe!
- Ensure volunteers enjoy a rewarding experience.
- Complete the assigned project section with high quality.
- Observe volunteers, noting skills, ability and attitude desired in possible candidates for leadership roles.
- Encourage possible candidates to get more involved.
- Provide positive guidance and supportive communication to volunteers.
- Capture volunteer’s feedback about their personal experience during the project.
- Provide constructive feedback to the project leadership team for the continuous improvement of WRV projects.
Background or qualifications
Crew leader candidates should have some experience working on WRV projects prior to entering the training program. It is helpful to have some experience with landscaping tools and techniques but is not required.
Training and Preparation
Complete the crew leader training program and at least one mentoring session.
Meetings and Site Visits
Attend project orientation sessions if needed and arrive early to the project location to prepare for volunteers.
Commitment
Crew lead on at least two projects each season.
Oversight
Receive direction from the project leader, crew leader manager, and technical advisors. Follow the directions provided to guide volunteers working on a project.
Measures of success
- Volunteers are safe and have a rewarding experience.
- The assigned section is completed and exhibits high quality.
- Constructive feedback, which will contribute to continuous improvement of programs, is provided to the project leadership.