Programs (Crewmember Positions)

Seasonal Youth Crew-member Positions (Ages 15-18)

Click to read our full Youth Crew Position Description.

Onondaga Earth Corps welcomes youth ages 15 to 18 to apply for for crewmember positions throughout the year (generally spring, summer and fall sessions). Crewmembers work to educate the community about the benefits of environmental stewardship through completing environmental and neighborhood improvement projects, primarily in the City of Syracuse.

OEC has a strong experiential learning and service component, and often completes projects or arranges volunteer service within the community. These crews typically work on a variety of outdoor projects over the course of the season.  Much of the work is related to planting trees and maintaining them afterwards through the summer months.  There is also opportunity for environmental education in city youth centers, work landscaping and improving private resident curb appeal, and working with neighborhood outreach.

The schedule will vary from Spring to Summer to Fall. It is likely that Saturdays and Sundays will be regularly scheduled, with some after school sessions possible. Estimated hours are 10-18 a week, with the potential to increase weekly hours.

For more information on the youth crew, please read our current Youth Crew Position Description.

Click here to download the Youth pre-application packet
Click here to complete the CNYWorks Youth Application

Seasonal Young Adult Crew-member Positions (Ages 19-25)

 Click to read our full Young Adult Crew-member Position Description.

Join Syracuse’s very own youth conservation corps, Onondaga Earth Corps (OEC) for a season of environmental conservation, community development and learning professional skills. OEC prioritizes a strong experiential learning and service component, and emphasizes learning life skills through formal lessons, on-the-job training, and through the overall Corps experience.

Our crews often work on a variety of projects, from public outreach and education development, to neighborhood demonstration projects and tree planting programs. Participants will be provided with basic training in environmental and community development- based work. Public presentation and creating materials, such as PowerPoint presentations, videos, brochures, etc., are often requirements of the work, in addition to daily work outdoors in gardens and landscaping settings.

Please find more info and how to apply in the Young Adult Crew-member Position Description.

Seasonal Advanced Young Adult Crew-Member Positions (Ages 19-25)

 Click to read our full Advanced Young Adult Crew-Member Position Description.

The Advanced Young Adult Crew Member (AYA) position offers OEC Young Adult Program graduates an advanced level of training and work in conservation related fields such as urban forestry. The minimum qualification for this position is the completion of at least 3 full seasons with Onondaga Earth Corps. Consult with OEC if you have comparable experiences with other Conservation or Youth Corps.

The AYA will work in a small team under staff supervision to carry out advanced level work tasks such as the structural pruning of young trees, presenting to the public, or facilitating community meetings. The team will also assist OEC youth and young adult program participants and staff as needed for project tasks such as community outreach, identifying tree planting sites, tree planting, watering and caring for trees, weeding/raking, mulching gardens, etc. The AYA position is multi‐faceted and demanding, but with opportunities for rewarding achievements, and valuable professional and career growth.

The position will build a foundation for advancement within conservation and landscape career tracks and possibly with OEC for staff. The AYA will be required to continue training elements on their own time as well as work in the field.

Please find more information on how to apply for the position in the Advanced Young Adult Crew-Member Position Description.

Americorps Service Member Positions Overview

Click to read the full OEC AmeriCorps Service Member Position Description.

The primary duties of OEC’s AmeriCorps Service Members are to increase awareness and communal value for conservation and green infrastructure through public outreach, ecological restoration projects, and environmental education. Service Members will work independently and in collaboration with OEC staff and youth crews to plant and care for trees, and maintain green spaces.

Our crews often work on a variety of projects, from public outreach and education development, to neighborhood demonstration projects and tree planting programs.  OEC also has a strong experiential learning and service component, and emphasizes learning life skills through formal lessons, on-the-job training, and through the Corps experience.

AmeriCorps Service Members will serve a minimum of 300 hour term during which they will support logistics and field work for tree planting, green infrastructure maintenance, outreach, and conduct an independently led service project. The AmeriCorps Service Members will be supervised by OEC’s Program Coordinator. Service times and hours will generally be scheduled during the workweek, Monday through Friday, 9:00 am through 4:00 pm, with some nights and weekends.

Training for this position will include: 1 to 2 overnight trips; formal and informal technical training in conservation, green infrastructure, and urban forestry; best practices for Youth Conservation Corps; youth development; professional development; and some training in truck and trailer driving.

Please find more information and how to apply in the OEC AmeriCorps Service Member Position Description.

About AmeriCorps

AmeriCorps Service Members will serve a minimum of 300 hour term during which they will support logistics and field work for tree planting green infrastructure maintenance and outreach. AmeriCorps was founded in 1993 by the National and Community Service Trust Act and is a federal program directed by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). Members serve their communities through conservation and outreach. Since this is a federal program, members must be 17 years old, undergo a standard background check, and be either an U.S. Citizen, an U.S. national, or lawful permanent resident of the U.S. More information can be found at www.serve.gov.