Maryland Corps | UpLift Crew Member Applications Are Open! | Howard EcoWorks

About: Howard EcoWorks is an environmental nonprofit based in Howard County, Maryland. EcoWorks is addressing climate issues through environmental restoration, while providing career opportunities in the green industry. EcoWorks is currently accepting applications for the Maryland Corps UpLift Crew Member position.

About the Program: The Maryland Corps is a workforce development program developed by the Maryland Department of Service & Civic Innovation. We, Howard EcoWorks, are serving as a host site and partner with this program. Participants will gain experience & career development in the green industry while serving communities in Maryland. 

Program Details:

Seasonal full-time job

Start Date: September 10, 2025 

End Date: June 23, 2026

Apply by: June 1, 2025

Position Overview: A Maryland Corps UpLift Conservation Crew Member will be an essential part of the team in providing environmental and resiliency focused services such as the installation and maintenance of nature-based solutions such as conservation landscapes and rain gardens, performing maintenance of stream restoration sites, removing debris from waterways, engaging in disaster preparedness and response, and supporting community education and outreach. UpLift Crew Members work in teams under the direction of their Crew Leader, Landscape Foreman, and Operations Staff. UpLift Crew Members work successfully as a team to build and maintain environmental projects in Central MD as well as be exposed to a variety of career opportunities in the green infrastructure sector. 

Howard EcoWorks provides training in identifying native and invasive plants, construction techniques for environmental restoration projects, proper tool usage and care, and more.  EcoWorks also includes soft-skills training and exposure to different opportunities in the environmental industry.

Responsibilities & Duties:

• Environmental Stewardship (~85% of service)

• Conduct stream restoration maintenance 
• Install trees, native pollinator gardens, conservation landscapes, and rain gardens
• Remove invasive species
• Support a native plant nursery and land management at Holly Hills, EcoWorks headquarters 
• Remove tree shelters and maintain tree planting projects
• Collect and propagate seeds of native species
• Install and maintain other environmental projects as assigned.

• Disaster Relief & Recovery Support (10-15% of service)
• Provide post-disaster support by assisting with cleanup efforts, debris removal, repairs, and distribution of necessary supplies to affected communities.
• Support disaster preparedness through education, tabling, and community outreach.
• Note: These activities represent a sample of the activities that members will perform.

Qualifications & Requirements:

• Able and willing to work in a variety of outdoor settings, including forests and streams
• Knowledge or interest in nature-based solutions such as green infrastructure, rain gardens, and sustainable gardening practices.
• Ability to work with a team as well as independently
• Can physically stand, bend, squat, and lift up to 40 pounds repetitively throughout the day
• Must have reliable transportation to the company office each day
• May be asked to use a personal vehicle if applicable. Approved mileage is reimbursed
• Opportunity to earn a Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional-Associate  (CBLP-A) Certificate

Preferred Qualifications:

• Intention to enter the workforce in the green industry (as opposed to educational pursuits) following completion of the program
• Passion and/or interest in the outdoors
• Previous experience working outdoors or in landscaping
• Flexible with changes in day to day tasks

Wage: $15/hr

• Upon successful completion of your year of service, participants may earn:
• A Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship Certificate, if applicable to your service role.
• ​A $6,000 completion award.

Benefits:

• Access to health benefits plan
• Paid sick leave - 1 hour of Sick and Safe Leave accumulated for every 30 hours worked, accumulating up to 40 hours per year.  Accrual starts on the first day of employment and one is eligible to use sick and safe leave after the completion of 30 days of employment
• Seasonal full-time employees are given one personal day eligible after 30 days of continuous employment 
• Seasonal full-time employees are granted the following paid holidays, to the extent a listed holiday falls within the timeframe of the seasonal contract:
• New Year’s Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day
• Option to enroll in the EcoWorks 401(k) plan

Job Timeline/ Work Schedule:

• Full-time, hourly position, expected 40 hours / week
• Monday - Friday from 7 am to 3:30 pm, including a half-hour unpaid lunch break and 2 paid 15-minute breaks per day
• Weekend work opportunities may become available but are not mandatory
• Work in the field is weather-dependent, which may result in shortened work weeks in the event of extreme weather.  Indoor training and professional development opportunities may be offered on bad-weather days, when possible.

Contact: If you have any questions about the job positions or hiring, please contact Matt Hemler at mhemler@howardecoworks.org.