Job Description

Title: Multi-Watershed Monitoring Crew Member

Location: Based out of Durango, CO. Working in SW Colorado, Arizona, and Utah

Status: Seasonal, Full-time

Start/end date: March 29, 2021 – October 29, 2021

Wages: $550 / week

Benefits: AmeriCorps Education Award. Food provided while in the field, uniforms, personal protective equipment, training in multiple rapid vegetation protocols and other development opportunities.

Deadline: Open until filled – 1 position available

Program Summary:

The 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 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:

This Multi-Watershed Monitoring Crew will work with watershed groups across the Southwest to perform vegetation surveying along streamside habitat in 4 watersheds in Colorado, Utah, and Arizona. Watershed groups include the Dolores River Restoration Partnership, Escalante River Watershed Partnership, Friends of the Verde River, and Gila Watershed Partnership of Arizona. Vegetation monitoring is crucial to informing river restoration efforts across these watersheds that have been severely impacted by invasive species and other stressors.

The primary responsibility of this crew is to collect vegetation monitoring and species inventory data according to each watershed’s rapid monitoring protocol. This crew consists of two individuals (1 crew leader and 1 crew member) that will tie in and work closely with field staff from each watershed group in order to collect data. This crew is designed to be flexible to meet the evolving needs of each partnership. Flexibility, adaptability, and the ability to work remotely are essential for this Crew Member position. While working (i.e. on-hitch), the crew will camp together, prepare all meals together, and work together as a group to complete all projects and chores. Hitch schedules may vary between 4 on, 3 off or 5 on, 2 off to 8 on, 6 off or 10 on, 4 off, and in some rare cases may be as long as 15 days on, 6 off. SCC does not provide accommodations off-hitch and Crew Members will be responsible for their own accommodations during that time.

For the health and safety of our crews, staff and communities, projects may be postponed due to COVID-19.  The information provided is an outline of how our program has typically been operating, however is subject to change. As this situation develops, and decisions are made, we will provide updates. We encourage you to continue with the application process and we will keep consistent and direct communication with all applicants.

Minimum Qualifications

To qualify, you must be between the ages of 18 and 30, have a clean driving record (insurable by SCC), have had a driver’s license for at least 3 years, a current driver’s license, and be a US citizen that has received (or on track to receive) a high school diploma or GED. First Aid/CPR required. All offers of employment are conditional upon completion of an acceptable check of the National Sex Offender Public Registry and federal criminal background check.

Must be physically capable of standing and walking (at a minimum 6 miles/day on rough, uneven terrain), bending, crouching and stooping for long periods of time, and lifting/carrying items that weigh up to 40 pounds, in upwards of 100+ degree (F) heat.

Preferred Qualifications

The ideal candidates for this position have knowledge of native and invasive plants in the southwest, and some experience with vegetation monitoring/inventory and field data collection. Experience working independently and with a team in the outdoors, including navigating to sites with a team, as well as backpacking experience is also preferred.  A relevant Bachelors degree as well as GPS and GIS experience are a plus.

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 therefore may not apply directly to your particular position:

Participant and Expedition Behavior

• Work effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions. This may require problem solving on an interpersonal or group level as well as a willingness to accept differences.
• Willingness and ability to complete all aspects of the program, including conservation projects, education, training and national service. Members must commit to participating in all crew activities, including service days in local communities where applicable.
• Effectively communicate ideas and concerns as they arise directly to supervisors, colleagues and organization staff.
• Have the cognitive ability to learn necessary skills and apply them to effectively carry out the service work requirements.
• Contribute to a safe learning environment; no harrassment of others for any reason.
• Appropriately represent SCC and AmeriCorps to the public and project partners at all time.

Safety and Judgement

• Effectively communicate danger to others in the form of either a warning of danger others may be encountering or a notification of personal distress, injury or need for assistance. You must be able to do so at a distance of up to 50 meters and in conditions with limited visibility or loud background noise such as darkness or high winds.
• Effectively perceive, understand and follow direction by others so that you will be able to successfully execute appropriate and perhaps unfamiliar techniques to manage hazards. These directions may be given before the hazard is encountered or may need to be given during exposure to the hazard.
• Stay alert and focused for several hours at a time while traveling and working in varied weather conditions.
• Perceive and comprehend significant and apparent hazards, including those hazards previously identified by others.
• Respond appropriately to stress or crises.
• If taking prescription medications, participants must be able to maintain proper dosage by self-medicating without assistance from others.

Environmental Ethics & Outdoor Skills

• Learn and practice Leave No Trace ethics and techniques.
• Learn and safely perform fundamental outdoor living/travel and work skills as appropriate to the project. Remain adequately hydrated, fed, and properly dressed as to remain generally healthy and safe, avoiding environmental injuries.
• Live in a physically demanding, possibly remote environment for an uninterrupted period of up to several weeks. Conditions of this environment may vary significantly and may include severe and/or trying weather. The remoteness is such that it may require at a minimum one hour, but perhaps in excess of 12 hours, to reach the nearest advanced medical care.

Substance Free

• In accordance to a drug free workplace, alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in AmeriCorps and SCC activities, and while on organization property.

How to Apply

Job Categories: Equal Opportunities. Job Types: Temporary. Salaries: Less than 20,000.

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