EMPLOYMENT
Positions:
Click on the job roles listed below to read each full job description.
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General Crew Member
Living Lands & Waters is always looking for motivated, team-oriented crew members to join us on the river. This is a hands-on, outdoor role supporting river cleanups, habitat restoration, and day-to-day barge operations on the Mississippi River and its tributaries.
Crew members live and work together aboard our barge for much of the cleanup season, traveling to different river communities and working closely with staff, volunteers, and partners. If you enjoy physical work, being outside, and contributing to meaningful environmental impact, this could be a great fit.
What to Expect
This is a full-time, year-round position with seasonal travel and extended time living on our barge (generally March–November, with some flexibility). Workdays vary depending on weather, river conditions, and project needs. Some days are long, some are routine - but all are mission-driven.
Room and board and groceries are provided while living on the barge as part of your employment package. Crew members have a private bedroom, shared bathrooms, and a communal galley and living space. This is close-quarters, communal living that works best for people who are respectful, flexible, and team-minded.
Key Responsibilities
Crew members support a wide range of operations, including but not limited to:
- Participating in river cleanups and habitat restoration projects
- Assisting with volunteer coordination and on-site support during cleanup events
- Safely operating boats (including 30’ jon boats) to transport volunteers or collected debris (training provided)
- Driving LL&W vehicles, including trucks with trailers (training provided)
- Supporting barge operations such as rigging, decking, and general upkeep
- Helping with basic maintenance, errands, and daily operational tasks
- Working outdoors in a variety of weather conditions
- Traveling to project sites
- Pitching in where needed
You don’t need to know everything coming in - we provide on-the-job training!
What We’re Looking For
We’re less concerned with specific experience and more interested in the kind of person you are. Strong candidates are:
- Reliable, adaptable, and willing to learn
- Comfortable with physical labor and outdoor work
- Positive, respectful teammates who communicate well
- Able to stay flexible in a fast-moving, sometimes unpredictable work environment
- Passionate about environmental stewardship and community engagement
Requirements
- Must be 21 years or older
- Valid driver’s license
- Comfortable with communal living and shared responsibilities
- Able to lift heavy objects and perform physical work safely
- Willing and able to travel and live on the barge for extended periods
A Few Things to Know
- This is not a remote position - it’s very hands-on and very in-person
- Schedules can include early mornings, long days, and weekend work depending on project needs
- Living Lands & Waters is a close-knit team, and this role is essential to our mission
Why This Work Matters
Since 1998, Living Lands & Waters has removed over 14 million pounds of trash from America’s rivers. Crew members are at the heart of that impact, doing real work that improves waterways, supports communities, and protects ecosystems.
If you’re looking for meaningful work, strong teamwork, and days that don’t look the same twice, we’d love to hear from you.
This is a full-time paid position with benefits. Details will be discussed with candidates who move into the interview process.
How To Apply for the Job that You'll Talk About for the Rest of Your Life!
How to apply: Please fill out the form below with your information, resume, and a fun video telling us a little bit about yourself, your experience, and why you'd be a good fit to join this crazy river rat crew!
If you are not able to upload your video in the form below please send your video to callie@livinglandsandwaters.org.
We look forward to hearing from - and hopefully working with - you!
*Qualified applicants must be at least 21 years of age with a valid driver’s license and possess the following: strong work ethic, sense of humor, passion for the environment, good social skills, ability to work as part of a team, flexibility, motivation to be a self-starter, lover of dogs. Computer and/or mechanic skills are a plus. Barge-based jobs mean living on the water for up to 9 months of the year with 10+ humans and 2+ dogs.
