San Luis Valley Youth Crews Crew Leader Development Program (CLDP) - SCCLV Salida 2023

Title: San Luis Valley Youth Program Crew Leader 

Reports to: Youth Program Manager

Locations: Alamosa County, Costilla County, Conejos County, with travel to Salida CO during training season in April and May

Status: Seasonal, Full-time, Exempt

Start/end date:

Start date May 22 – August 18 with option to stay on for Fall with Adult Program.

Free Wilderness First Responder (WFR) training for all incoming CLDPs: March 27-31 (not required for those already holding a WFR)

Wages: $685 AmeriCorps weekly stipend + 3? in AmeriCorps Education Award upon successful completion.

Benefits: 1 paid week off in August between summer member season and summer fall season for Adult Program Leaders, 1 week off between sessions in July for Youth Program Leaders, plus 4 additional days of flexible paid time off. Medical benefits option available. Food provided while in the field, uniforms, USFS-recognized S-212 Chainsaw training, Cross-cut training, Restorative Justice Training, Trauma-Informed Care Training, QPR training, & other development opportunities

Position Summary: 

The AmeriCorps CLDP is a two-phase program. Basic program structure will include:  

· 1st phase: 8 weeks of training with experienced SCC crew leaders and staff. Trainings will include: Introduction to: SCC mission, policies, and procedures, restorative justice, trauma informed care, risk management, managing crew dynamics, front and backcountry living, Leave No Trace, USFS recognized Chainsaw and Crosscut training, technical trail skills, project management, partner relations, logistics, and Wilderness Medicine (WFR). Schedule during Crew Leader Training may vary.

· 2nd phase: Co-leading adult conservation crews. While co-leading, CLDP members will be responsible for project management, as well as the care and wellbeing of a 6 person crew (crew members are local high school students ages 14-18), completing conservation projects on public lands, such as trail restoration, native planting, disaster deployment, habitat rehabilitation or fencing, invasive species removal, chainsaw, or various public recreational facility improvements. Leaders in Development are responsible for the physical and emotional well-being of the crew. 

General Qualifications: 

· AmeriCorps members must be able to pass a criminal background check. 

· Past conservation experience preferred but not required. 

· Professionalism: Members must be willing to follow and enforce all SCC policies, maintain professional boundaries, communicate effectively with partners, members, peers and SCC staff, and appropriately represent SCC and AmeriCorps.

· Leadership: Experience, or a strong desire to lead and mentor a diverse group of young adults (ages 18-30). Ability to manage and participate in day-to-day details of crew life. Ability to listen, willingness to receive feedback, and desire to grow.  

· Adaptability: Projects entail uncertainty and include variable living conditions and last-minute changes. Members must be patient and maintain a positive perspective.  

· Community Building: Strong desire to help others grow as individuals while building cohesiveness in a group. Members must be willing to work hard, respect others' viewpoints, be committed to equity, be inclusive of differing backgrounds, and embrace diversity .

· Environmental Stewardship: Members must engage leave no trace principles pertaining to public land stewardship and management.

· Fitness: SCC projects are physically demanding! 10 hour long workdays consist of hiking, backpacking, heavy lifting and repetitive motions using tools. Projects often take place at elevation – above 8,500’ – and in variable weather conditions. Members must confront conditions while leading their crew to do the same.  

· Corps Member Development: Experience or strong desire to learn and participate as an outdoor educator and mentor.     

At SCC Los Valles, we hold that social equity and environmental justice are the responsibility of all. In your application, please speak to how your strengths lend themselves to leading 2 – 3 of the following crews:

• San Luis Valley Youth Crew: Summer crews for teens ages 14-18 who are local residents of the San Luis Valley. Teens do conservation projects within their respective counties. Counties include Rio Grand & Mineral, Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, and Saguache. Youth crews are on a M-F 5-2 schedule. Alamosa and Costilla county crews are day crews. Conejos and Saguache counties are camping crews. These crews serve predominantly Indigenous and Xicanx communities. Spanish-speaking leaders and those with experience working in Indigenous and Xicanx communities preferred. Option to stay on with Adult Program for the Fall

Additional Opportunities for those interested in staying on for the Fall include: 

• Leaders of Color Adult crew – An affinity crew for QTBIPOC individuals ages 18-30 with a focus on technical skills and certifications including S-212, Wilderness First Responder, and Backcountry Skills. Adult crews are on a 8-6 Tues-Tues schedule and projects take place throughout the Los Valles region.
• Women’s+ Fire Mitigation Adult crew – An affinity crew for Trans and Cis Women and non-binary individuals ages 18-30 with a focus on chainsaw skills development. Adult crews are on a 8-6 Tues-Tues schedule.
• Alamosa Adult crew – Crew for systems-involved young adults ages 18-24 in the San Luis Valley with a focus on career pathways with a variety of green jobs. This crew serves a predominately Indigenous and Xicanx communities. Spanish speaking leaders strongly preferred. Alamosa Adult crew schedule is an 8-6 schedule. Projects take place throughout the San Luis Valley and ‘rig-up’ location is in Alamosa

To Apply:  

 To apply, please complete the CLDP application and upload a resume as indicated. For questions, contact Therese Ryley, Program Director at tryley@conservationlegacy.org