Southwest Boston Community Development Corporation (SWBCDC) is a nonprofit serving the Hyde Park and Roslindale neighborhoods of Boston. We work to create and preserve affordable housing, strengthen the commercial base of our neighborhoods, and advance climate resilience. Through our Green Team program, we employ Boston youth to restore urban woodlands while building job readiness and life skills.

Position: Crew Leader (20-24)

Employment Dates: June 22 – August 21, 2026

Hours: 31 hours per week

Schedule: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 8:30AM-2:30PM, Thursday 8:30AM – 3:30PM

Pay: $20/hour

Location: Hyde Park, Massachusetts

Why work for the Green Team?
We’re excited to hire Crew Leaders who care about working with Boston teens, being outdoors, and making a positive impact in Hyde Park. As mentors for teens ages 14–18, Crew Leaders work alongside youth during outdoor restoration work, foster job readiness and leadership skills, and help ensure teens have a safe, meaningful first work experience while caring for local urban wilds to build the next generation of environmental stewards. Crew Leaders also receive professional development, including:

• Hands-on experience mentoring and supervising youth 
• Training in positive youth development
• Leadership, communication, and conflict-resolution skill building
• Hands-on experience with conservation and woodland restoration techniques

About the Green Team Program

The Green Team is a youth job readiness and environmental stewardship program that employs Boston teens and young adult Crew Leaders to restore urban wilds (conservation woodlands) in Hyde Park, in partnership with the Boston Parks Department Urban Wilds Program. Youth attend weekly career readiness workshops and field trips to build life skills such as financial literacy, resume writing/interviewing, and leadership . The program may include occasional field trips to state parks and scenic natural areas to explore conservation in action, depending on scheduling and resources.

This summer, the Green Team will include 12 Teen Crew Members and 4 Crew Leaders. As a Crew Leader, you will be supported by the Green Team Program Coordinator, who provides ongoing support and guidance throughout the program and you will work closely with a small, dedicated staff team.

Projects

Crew Leaders and Teen Crew Members participate in a variety of hands-on landscaping and conservation projects, with instruction provided by Urban Wilds Staff which may include:

• Building and restoring trails
• Identifying and removing invasive plants
• Planting and maintaining native trees and shrubs
• Creating bioswales to help prevent flooding
• Building erosion control infrastructure on trails.

Throughout the program, you will work with teens on projects that build towards the Summer Showcase, an interactive event where they educate community members about urban woodlands and conservation.

We Provide Training & Professional Development to Leaders!

We provide training, clear expectations, and ongoing support throughout the summer so that you can feel confident guiding youth and helping to lead restoration projects. Prior to when teens begin working, you will participate in two weeks of required, in-person training from June 22 to July 2 (9:00 AM–2:00 PM). Training will focus on:

• Outdoor safety protocols
• Positive youth development
• Leadership and team building
• Conflict resolution
• Civic engagement

During training, you may also help plan indoor “rainy day workshops” that will be used with youth on days of inclement weather (rain or excessive heat).

Crew Leader Responsibilities:

Crew Leaders are supervised by the Program Coordinator. Once teens begin working, you will

• Create a supportive, inclusive work environment while mentoring and supervising youth
• Provide clear direction, positive feedback, and enforce program expectations, including the Green Team Code of Conduct and safety rules
• Execute daily program schedules, including work projects, workshops, and inclement-weather activities
• Track attendance; distribute water; ensure youth bring lunch; and clean and maintain tools and equipment
• Teach youth about environmental conservation and its connection to the impacts of climate change in environmental justice communities
• Support and supervise youth during field trips, including coordinating travel logistics as needed
• Conduct weekly one-on-one youth check-ins and support youth development goals
• Communicate with parents/guardians as needed
• Meet weekly with the Program Coordinator and SWBCDC Assistant Director to provide program updates, receive feedback and discuss challenges.
• Participate in program evaluations and end-of-summer wrap-up activities

Crew Leader Qualifications: 

• City of Boston resident between the ages of 20 and 24. 
• At least 1 year of experience working with and supervising youth 
• Able to motivate and inspire youth, build positive relationships and resolve conflict or conduct issues as needed
• Able to work effectively as part of a team
• Able to lift 25 pounds and work outdoors  for extended periods of time 
• Strong interest in woodland restoration, conservation and environmental protection.
• Strong communication and organizational skills
• Experience working in diverse communities
• Pass a CORI/SORI Background Check

A car is not required but highly recommended

Helpful:

• First aid and/or CPR certification  
• Able to speak Spanish or Haitian Creole
• Experience in landscaping or gardening

If you’re excited about mentoring teens, working outdoors, and supporting community woodlands, apply with our google form: https://forms.gle/Qi7x9BT87ZtmfS619