SCC FC - Adult Crew Leader Development Program (CLDP)

Title: AmeriCorps Crew Leader Development Program (CLDP)    

Reports to: Adult Program Coordinator   

Location: Durango, CO    

Status: Seasonal, Full-time, Camping Program  

Dates: March 25th* – November 15th, 2024  

Wages: $685 weekly = ($485/week living stipend + $200/week housing stipend) + $4,826.50 AmeriCorps Education Award at completion of service term    

Benefits: 5 paid days off structured in August between seasons, and 3 additional days of PTO. Food provided while in the field, uniforms, protective equipment, access to Mental Health Consultant and Employee Assistance Program.    

Training:  Forest Service recognized Crosscut & Chainsaw training, Technical Trails training, Restorative Justice Approach Training, QPR Suicide Prevention Training, and other development opportunities.  

Housing: SCC-Durango will be securing a camping location for leaders and CLDPs during the spring season. Other options, including host housing, will be reviewed in the interview process.   
*Wilderness Medicine: CLDP members are provided with Wilderness First Responder/CPR/AED training. There will be a WFR course available in Durango March 15th-19th through Desert Mountain Medicine. Other acceptable WFR Courses and Re-certification Courses can be reimbursed (up to $650) but must be taken prior to the start of the season.   
Multiple positions opened. Application closes January 5th, 2024 

Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC) is a program of the non-profit service organization, Conservation Legacy, that is built on the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) that operated from 1933 – 1942. SCC provides youth and young adults opportunities to complete conservation projects primarily on public lands. While serving with SCC, members receive training on job skills, conflict resolution, leadership, teamwork, and environmental stewardship. Programs are developed using a step ladder approach to provide a progression of skill development based on a member’s needs. Members receive a weekly living allowance, training, and an AmeriCorps Education Award (for qualifying individuals)

Position Summary:    

The Adult CLDP position is an opportunity to make a difference in young peoples’ lives while completing conservation projects. CLDPs will be mentors, educators, and facilitators for young adults, working to promote the health and resiliency of our land, air, and water.   

The AmeriCorps Crew Leader Development Program (CLDP) is a two-phase program. The first phase focuses on orientation, training, and development, the second phase focuses on implementation and continued leadership development. The AmeriCorps CLDP will spend 10 weeks in a crew leader training period alongside fellow CLDPs, Crew Leaders and SCC Staff, which will include a SCC leadership skills week, chainsaw and crosscut training, technical trails training, administrative training, and prep weeks, in addition to project work. In late May, CLDPs will be paired with an experienced Crew Leader where they will work together to lead a crew of young adults for the Summer and Fall Season. Crews consists of 6-7 members, 1 Crew Leader and 1 CLDP. Crews work in front and backcountry locations in all weather conditions. Standard schedule consists of 8 days on-hitch and 6 days off, with some exception. On-hitch, crews camp together, prepare all meals together, and work together as a group to complete all projects and chores.  

CLDPs, along with Crew Leaders, are responsible for 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. Over the course of the season, the CLDP will gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence necessary to take on full Crew Leader responsibilities. Crew Leaders will be responsible for helping to create a leadership development plan. CLDP’s may take lead or assist the Crew Leader with project management, creating and implementing development and educational opportunities, and completing required hitch paperwork.   

We will be running the following crews during the 2024 season, please be ready to speak to your preferences and how you will support them during your interview:  

• Conservation/Trail Crew – A crew for young adults that works in both backcountry and front country settings, focusing on trails and a variety of conservation work  
• Chainsaw Crew - A crew for young adults that works primarily in front country settings, focusing on sustainable forestry, fuels reduction, or invasive species removal (with the potential to use herbicide)  
• Crosscut Crew – Crew works in remote Wilderness areas, clearing down trees from trails with a two-person crosscut saw  

Affinity Crews 

The goal of our affinity crews is to have a place where those with identities that have historically and systematically been underrepresented in the conservation field can come together and build an equitable community with representative leadership “by us, for us”.  The Womens+ and Queer Affinity Crews seek to create a safe, non-judgmental, and inclusive space for all regardless of gender or sexual identity. We value respect (of names, pronouns, orientation, gender, and philosophies), confidentiality, and boundaries (both physical and auditory). 

• Women’s+ Crew – An affinity crew for Women (both trans + cis) and Non-Binary individuals  
• Queer Crew – An affinity crew for LGBTQAI2S+ individuals   

Responsibilities:   

Leadership & Mentorship   

• Integrate values pertaining to DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) within the corps   
• Implement skills training on worksite and facilitate intentional discussions via informal lessons to contribute to the crew’s personal growth and group dynamics   
• Promote individual corps member development and a healthy community   
• Must be willing to follow and enforce all SCC policies, maintain professional boundaries, and appropriately represent SCC. This includes creating a substance free work environment, refraining from the use of tobacco products, alcohol, and drugs while involved in the program   

Project Management & Implementation   

• Train, motivate and supervise a crew of young adults to efficiently complete conservation projects, while working long hours and managing high quality of work and crew morale   
• Think critically to resolve issues and solve problems   
• Communicate effectively & coordinate logistics with project partners, co-leader & SCC staff   

Safety & Risk Management   

• Monitor, manage, and promote the crew’s physical and emotional safety   
• Exhibit strong situational awareness & promote a culture of safety   
• Transport crew and equipment safely in SCC’s vans or large SUVs with trailers   

Participant Essential Eligibility Requirements    

Essential eligibility requirements for the program must be met. If you are unable to meet certain requirements, we may be able to assist you with some modification unless it alters the fundamental nature of the program, compromises the health and safety of participants or staff, or places an undue financial or administrative burden on the organization. These requirements are written the same for all positions and may not apply to your particular position.   

Essential Functions:    

• Required to walk, hike, sit, talk, and listen   
• Required to use hands to operate objects and tools, and to reach with hands and arms   
• Lift and/or move up to 50 pounds   
• Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision and the ability to focus   
• Must be 21  
• Speak, understand, read, and write English   
• Enforce all SCC policies. SCC is a substance free work environment. All must refrain from the use of tobacco products, vaping, alcohol, and drugs while in the program  

• General Qualifications:   

  • AmeriCorps members must be able to pass a criminal background check   
  • Adaptive, patient, and able to maintain a positive perspective throughout  
  • Experience, or a strong desire to lead and mentor a diverse group of young adults (ages 18-30).  
  • Strong desire to help others grow as individuals while building cohesiveness in a group setting.  
  • Enjoyment and desire for caring for the land while living and working in the outdoors in a variety of conditions  
  • Ready to confront physically demanding, long workdays in variable weather conditions while being able to help and encourage others that they are leading.    
  • Experience or a strong desire to learn the technical skills needed to effectively maintain public lands and have a flexible definition of what 'conservation' means.   
  • To drive, members must be 21, have a clean driving record (insurable) and a current driver's license  
  • CLDP members must be high school graduates, GED recipients, working toward attaining a high school diploma or GED during their term of service. CLDP members obtain either a diploma or GED before using an education award  
  • Member's must provide primary documentation of status as a U.S. citizen or National, OR primary documentation of status as a lawful permanent resident alien of the United States 

Other Considerations:   

• Having a vehicle or access to a vehicle is important for this position to transport yourself between your living situation & our work base: The Old Fort Lewis in Hesperus, CO   
• Ability to live, work and camp in rural Colorado. Weather can be extreme and variable throughout the spring and summer season   

Any questions can be addressed to:   

Lane Tomassini, Four Corners Adult Program Coordinator: ltomassini@conservationlegacy.org  

Greta Binzen, Four Corners Adult Program Coordinator: gbinzen@conservationlegacy.org  

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. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, political affiliation, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.