At Washington Trails Association we value our staff and volunteer trail crew leader community. Every year WTA empowers thousands of volunteers to maintain, repair and build trails across the state; one-quarter of these volunteers are youth 18 and under. We realize that this incredible impact would not be possible without our community, especially the efforts and support our crew leaders provide.

 WTA is committed to leadership development. As some of the most public faces of WTA we want to ensure our crew leaders have the proper training to forward our mission and strategic direction. To support our efforts to ensure that safety, fun, and work are at the forefront of every event, we have established the following core competencies for crew leaders at WTA. These core competencies are for both assistant and chief crew leaders (ACLs and CCLs) and should accompany any ACL and CCL job descriptions. WTA will provide several tools and training opportunities to support crew leaders in developing these skills.

1. SAFETY: Creates an environment that prioritizes the emotional and physical safety for all participants.

1. Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) as articulated in WTA’s DEI commitment statement.

2. Communication:

i.      Communicates effectively and professionally with people who are different from themselves.

ii.      Effective in listening and giving and receiving feedback.

iii.      Willing to have difficult conversations about bias and exclusionary behaviors.

3. Risk Management:

 i.      Presents and monitors WTA work safety protocols.

 ii.      Recognizes behavior that present a physical or emotional risk in self and others, including exclusionary behaviors.

2. FUN: Fosters a positive, inclusive and fun environment for all participants.

1. Leadership:

 i.      Understands that unconscious bias exists in self and others, and that it can influence their work.

ii.      Willing to uncover, acknowledge and take steps to address own unconscious biases, privilege and/or oppression.

 iii.      Ability to lead collaboratively, include multiple perspectives and build strong teams across differences.

iv.      Recognizes and addresses behaviors that detract from a positive, inclusive, and fun environment for all participants.

2. Relationships:

 i.      Proactively builds rapport with all members of the trail maintenance community, including those who are different from themselves.

 ii.      An ACL should be actively learning and practicing how to address exclusionary behaviors.

 iii.      A CCL should be able to effectively address exclusionary behaviors.

iv.      Recognize and celebrate the ways in which different people and cultures connect to the outdoors.

3. WORK: Teach and engage volunteers in WTA’s work to build, maintain, and enhance Washington’s trails.

1. As an on the ground representative of WTA, leaders should have a general understanding of our mission, strategic direction and the programs we implement.

2. Demonstrate ability to effectively teach, organize and leverage trail skills to a diverse range of volunteers and participants.

3. Willing to be flexible with minimum impact guidelines (e.g., Leave No Trace) in a way that honors and respects land manager requirements.

4. Empower, support, motivate and train volunteers to complete a variety of trail projects.

4. WILLING TO LEARN AND GROW in all of the competencies.

TO REMAIN AN “ACTIVE” CREW LEADER:

In order to maintain status as an “active” crew leader, individuals must meet the following criteria. Inability to meet requirements and update certifications will result in an “inactive” status. Once inactive, the chief crew leader or assistant crew leader will be unable to serve in this role until all criteria has been met.

Blue Hat (CCL) Certification Requirements:

• WFR preferred (mandatory for youth volunteer vacation program), WFA & CPR minimum requirement – every 2 years

• WA State Background Check – Must fill out and pass yearly (available on Crew Leader Corner)

•  Leadership Training – every 2 years

• Emergency Response Training – every 2 years

Orange Hat (ACL) Certification Requirements:

• WFA preferred, Basic First Aid/CPR minimum requirement – every 2 years

• Leadership Training – every 2 years

• Emergency Response Training – every 2 years

• WA State Background Check – WTA is currently evaluating this requirement for ACLs and may be added in the future
  

ACKNOWLEDGMENT