Job: Adult Crew Leader Development Program

Job Description

Job Type: Seasonal, Full time, Weekly

Wage: $685/wk. 

Location: Salida, CO.

Job Description:

• Start Date: 05/12/2024 

• End Date: 10/31/2024 

• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 900 Hours 

Purpose: 

Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC) is a non-profit, AmeriCorps-affiliated organization, whose mission is to Engage future leaders who protect, restore, and enhance our nation’s lands through community-based service. The SCC Los Valles (LV) office is located on the ancestral lands of the Ute people, who continue to survive and thrive on these lands today. The SCC LV office is in Salida, Colorado with satellite operations in Alamosa, CO. SCC LV serves the Arkansas River Valley and the San Luis Valley: the two valleys, or los valles. The SCC Los Valles Adult Program engages motivated young adults, ages 18 - 30, to complete challenging and impactful conservation and service projects. Projects may include trail construction & maintenance, habitat improvement, invasive species mitigation, hazardous fuels reduction, habitat restoration, and local environmental service projects.  Crews may also complete technical and/or specialized projects depending on project partner needs, including disaster relief if the opportunity arises.  

This is an entry level position focused on development. We welcome applications from candidates who may not have all the skills listed below. This position provides extensive training during the spring season, meant to prepare CLDPs for leading summer and fall crews. This position is an opportunity to make a difference in young people’s lives. CLDPs will be mentors, educators, and facilitators for young adults, working to increase resiliency, build confidence and to be positive role models for their members.    

The Crew Leader Development Program (CLDP) is an AmeriCorps Program that consists of two phases.  The first phase focuses on orientation, training and development, the second phase focuses on implementation and continued leadership development. This AmeriCorps position requires that the participant spends 3 weeks in a crew leader training period, which will include a Leadership skills week, Chainsaw training, technical trails training, and prep weeks. Each CLDP will be paired with an experienced crew leader who will provide mentorship and support to them through a goal setting process and CLDP development plan. CLDPs are responsible for assisting Crew Leaders in ensuring the physical safety and emotional well-being of their crew. The intention of the CLDP/Crew Leader pairing is to aid in the leadership development of the CLDP AmeriCorps Member. Based on their own skills and experience, CLDP’s may take an active role with project management, help create and implement member development and educational opportunities, and assisting the crew leader with completing required hitch paperwork. Crews will complete a variety of local conservation and community projects.       

 
Description of Duties: 

The Adult Program crews typically consist of 8 people: 6 members, 1 Crew Leader in Development (CLDP), and the crew leader. Crews serve in front and backcountry locations in all weather conditions. The standard schedule consists of 8 days on-hitch and 6 days off, with some exceptions. On-hitch, crews camp together, prepare all meals together, and serve together as a group to complete all projects and chores. SCC does not provide accommodation off-hitch and CLDPs will be responsible for their own accommodation during that time. With assistance from the CLDP, Crew Leaders will lead crews in completing technical conservation projects while instilling interpersonal skills and leadership skills. Crew leaders will also be responsible for leading crews in environmental stewardship, risk management, trauma-informed care, and restorative justice, with CLDPs supporting the Crew Leader in these tasks. 

At SCC Los Valles, we hold that social equity and environmental justice are the responsibility of all. We will be running the following crews during the 2025 season, please be ready to speak to your preferences and how you will support them during your interview:  

• Chainsaw crews – A crew for young adults that serves primarily in front country settings, focusing on sustainable forestry, fuels reduction, or invasive species removal (with the potential to use herbicide)  

• Conservation/Trail crews – A crew for young adults that serves in both backcountry and front country settings, focusing on trails and a variety of conservation projects.  

CLDPs will be responsible for serving in one of two CLDP models. Please be prepared to speak on your preferences for serving in either capacity:  

• Roving CLDP—Assigned to different crews on an as-needed basis, supporting crew members with project completion or in helping facilitate crew dynamics. Camps with designated crew on a hitch-by-hitch basis.  

• Crew-based CLDP—Paired with a singular crew and Crew Leader for the entire duration of the 2025 season. Supports the long-term development of crew skills and cultivation of positive crew culture. Camps with the same crew all season.   

Responsibilities & Core Competencies:    

Leadership & Mentorship    

• Embody equity, ensure inclusion, and embrace diversity (equity, inclusion, and diversity) within the corps. This includes but is not limited to:    

• Lead and participate in Land Acknowledgements that recognize Indigenous communities who have historically and continue to steward the Los Valles region   

• Model a restorative justice approach to disciplinary incidents   

• Facilitate and engage in environmental education that includes the fraught history of public lands in the United States    

• Employ a trauma-informed approach to building crew dynamics and addressing interpersonal conflict   

• Be accountable to ensuring the SCC Los Valles community centers the experiences of members of historically marginalized populations, including Black, Indigenous, Queer, Trans and Women of Color (QTBIPOC), and young adults with systems-involvement   

• Foster 21st century work skills in corps members, i.e.: collaboration & teamwork, creativity & imagination, critical thinking, problem-solving, flexibility & adaptability   

• Model strong communication and conflict transformation skills   

• Learn from Crew Leader throughout the season, progressively taking on more leadership throughout the season.   

• Routinely check-in with Crew Leader to create and maintain a culture of feedback   

• Follow all SCC policies, maintain professional boundaries, and appropriately represent Southwest Conservation Corps and AmeriCorps. This includes creating a substance free work environment, refraining from the use of alcohol and drugs while participating in the program.  

Project Management & Implementation    

• Assist with instructing, training & motivating a crew to complete high quality technical conservation projects.  

• Implement a 10-hour workday and ensure professionalism is maintained at camp.  

• Delegate project work & camp chores.  

• Effectively coordinate logistics with project partners, co-leader, & SCC staff.  

Safety & Risk Management    

• Monitor, manage, and promote crew’s physical and emotional safety on and off the work site.   

• Exhibit strong situational awareness at worksite and campsite.  

• Transport crew and equipment safely in SCC’s vans and large SUVs with trailers.  

Environmental Stewardship  

• Must have a genuine enjoyment and desire for caring for the land while living and working outdoors in a variety of environmental conditions.  

• Desire to learn the technical skills needed to effectively maintain public lands.  

  
Qualifications: 

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien 

• At least 17 years of age 

• Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of elementary or secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant, and agrees to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award 

• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check. 

• Must have had a driver’s license for 3 consecutive years with a clean driving record (insurable by SCC), and a current driver’s license.  

• For leading crews with a chainsaw component (Chainsaw crews, LOC and W+): ability to test out at a B-level in chainsaw during crew leader training season.   

• Must hold (or be willing to obtain) current/relevant medical certification (WFR, WEMT, or OEC) with CPR/AED.  

• Outdoor leadership experience with youth and/or young adults. 

Physical Requirements: 

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential functions. Some positions may require periodic overnight travel, non-traditional hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager. 

Time Requirements: 

• Typically, this position is expected to serve 8 days, serving 10 hours each day, followed by 6 days off, but exact service schedules may vary. A half hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service  

• Member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term. 

• Physically fit and able to serve 40-50 hr. work weeks    

Orientation and Training: 

This AmeriCorps position requires that the participant spends 3 weeks in a crew leader training period, which will include a Leadership skills week, Chainsaw training, technical trails training, and prep weeks. Each CLDP will be paired with an experienced crew leader who will provide mentorship and support to them through a goal setting process and CLDP development plan. 

•  Member will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities. 
• Trainings provided include: Forest Service-recognized Chainsaw & Cross-cut training, Technical Trails Training, Restorative Justice Training, Trauma-Informed Care Training, QPR training, & other development opportunities.  

• Wilderness Medicine: CLDP members are provided with Wilderness First Responder/CPR/AED training. If you do not have current WFR certification, there will be multiple WFR courses offered through Desert Mountain Medicine during leader training season that SCC will reimburse the cost of. 

Benefits: 

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $3697.50 available at completion of service term. Award amount dependent upon length of service term. 

• Living Allowance of $485/week 

• Additional Benefit of $200/week 

• Healthcare Coverage if Eligible  

• Childcare Coverage if Eligible 

• Loan forbearance if Eligible 

• Interest Payments if Eligible  

• Other Benefits:  

• 5 paid days off in August between summer member season and fall member season.  

• Food provided while in the field, uniforms, protective equipment, access to Employee Assistance Program provided. 

Evaluation and Reporting: 

As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of hours, the member has satisfactorily completed assignments, and if the member has met other performance criteria that were clearly communicated at the beginning of the term of service. Reporting requirements include, but are not limited to, bi-weekly timesheets and accomplishment tracking. 

Supervisor Name and Contact Information: 

Adult Program Coordinator Contact information: 

Emma Karlok, [email protected] 

Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to hiring a breadth of diverse professionals and encourage members of diverse groups to apply. This program is available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, marital or parental status, genetic information, and military service. Where a significant portion of the population eligible to be served needs services or information in a language other than English, the recipient shall take reasonable steps to provide written material of the type ordinarily available to the public in appropriate languages. 

We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with AmeriCorps requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager. 

**Disclaimer: The duties and responsibilities described above are not a comprehensive list and additional tasks may be assigned to the employee, time to time; the scope of the job may change as necessitated by business demands. Click “View Application” below for more detail on this specific job.