Backcountry Trails Camp Supervisor, California Conservation Corps
California State Personnel Board Specification
Schematic Code: BZ97
Class Code: 1030
Established: 05/17/1994
Revised: 12/17/1996
Title Changed: --
Definition
Under direction, incumbents independently plan, organize, and direct the operations of a backcountry trails camp while living and working in remote wilderness parks and forests throughout California; motivate, counsel, and evaluate crew members; facilitate a varied curriculum, including basic academic and outdoor skills, conservation, and natural history; work in cooperation with sponsor representatives; and perform other related work.
Job Characteristics
The class of Backcountry Trails Camp Supervisor, California Conservation Corps, is established to provide temporary employment. Incumbents will live and work in remote wilderness areas for up to six months while being responsible for round-the-clock supervision of the corpsmember crew. This classification is unique to other classes in that it has little or no direct supervision and makes critical decisions independently. Appointments to this class are made under temporary authority and are limited to no more than nine months of full-time equivalent work. No permanent appointments will be made.
Typical Tasks
While living and working in remote wilderness areas for up to six months, incumbents supervise corpsmembers building and maintaining trails, and restoring meadows and other habitat areas; ensure the health and safety of all corpsmembers working and living at the camp; evaluate performance and take appropriate action; work with community college instructors and sponsors to develop and implement appropriate curriculum; develop and maintain relationship with the project sponsor; through leadership and example, develop corpsmember's character, work ethics, skills, environmental awareness, wilderness ethics, and cooperative living skills.
Minimum Qualifications
Possession of a valid driver license of the appropriate class issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles. Applicants who do not possess the license will be admitted to the examination but must secure the license prior to appointment. and Education: Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade. and Either I Six months of experience in the California Conservation Corps performing the duties of a Conservationist II, California Conservation Corps.
Or II
One year of experience in the California Conservation Corps performing the duties of a Conservationist I, California Conservation Corps, Range B.
Or III
Two years of experience in organizing, instructing, supervising, and evaluating six or more people, ages 16-25 in an organization requiring specific accomplishments or completion of specific tasks. Such experience must include direct responsibility for discipline, direction, and welfare of the persons involved. Qualifying experience can be gained through work in the following types of businesses activities: labor crews in the private or public sector; organized outdoor adventure programs; service-oriented organizations employing young adults (fast food chains, park and recreation facilities/programs); seasonal labor; and education.
Knowledge and Abilities
Knowledge of: Basic principles of safety; personnel supervision; project management; methods of group instruction and training, techniques used in teaching and counseling youth; curriculum development; recreational and social activities appropriate for youth from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds; effective communication skills; basic principles of conservation and natural resources; natural history; conservation techniques; mountaineering and hiking; and leadership development.
Ability to: Work independently; exercise good judgment; explain and demonstrate safe work methods and practices; demonstrate skill in teaching young people and in motivating and inspiring them to establish and achieve personal goals; effectively organize and direct a work crew; establish and maintain a cooperative working relationship with the sponsor; participate with enthusiasm in a program with young people in intense daily living and working relationships; keep records and prepare written reports; analyze situations and take effective action; conduct inspections and evaluations of the project work; communicate effectively; counsel young people in substance abuse prevention; and supervise the crew to accomplish its mission.
Additional Desirable Qualifications
Ability to perform physically demanding labor which includes hiking three m.p.h. for up to 18 miles at high elevations and rockwork; Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) 1 or Advanced First Aid certification; CPR; water safety practices; and knowledge of natural history.
Special Personal Characteristics
Willingness to live and work for up to six months in a primitive camp isolated from communities. Willingness to work odd and irregular hours; demonstrated aptitude for, and willingness to teach and work with young people in regard to their personal and social development; willingness to do manual labor, including landscaping, trail construction, and other physically demanding activities; willingness to set an example for young people by attitude, ability, knowledge, attention to detail, leadership, and pride of work.
