Temporary Durango Youth Conservation Corps Crew Leader
Job Description
Title: Youth Crew Leader
Reports to: Youth Programs Manager
Location: Durango, CO | Four Corners Office
Status: Seasonal, Full-time, Non-exempt
Dates: March 29th – August 13th, 2021
Wages: $685/week
Health Benefits: Not eligible
Benefits: 3 days’ discretionary time, 2 PTO days built in, Food provided while in the
field, uniforms, protective equipment, U.S. Forest Service recognized OHLEC Chainsaw
training, QPR Suicide Prevention Training, Mandatory Reporter Training,
Trauma Informed Approach Training, Restorative Justice Approach Training
Multiple positions opened until filled.
**For the health and safety of our crews, staff and communities, projects may be postponed due to COVID-19. The information provided below 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.
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 position is an opportunity to make a difference in young peoples’ lives. Leaders will be mentors, educators and facilitators for high school students, working to increase youth resiliency, build confidence and to be positive role models. SCC’s Youth Crew Leaders will spend 8 weeks in a crew leader training period, which will include a Leadership skills week, Chainsaw training, technical trails training, a youth crew leader training, and prep weeks in addition to project work. In June, crew leaders will mentor a CLDP and co-lead two 4-week sessions with high school students ages 14-18. Crews will complete a variety of local conservation projects. Crew Leaders can expect to work 10 days on and 4 days off during the training season, and 5 days on, 2 days off during the summer.
Southwest Conservation Corps’ Crew Leaders perform many roles and are the key to our program’s success. The position is multi-faceted and demanding, but with opportunity for enormous rewards. Successful candidates will demonstrate resourcefulness, effective communication skills, excellent judgement and decision-making, maturity, initiative, professionalism, and the desire to devote themselves to youth, the environment and a crew experience. The Crew Leader position requires patience, mentorship, technical aptitude, focus on efficiency, and a high level of comfort in the outdoors. Leaders take a trauma informed approach to working with peers and youth in the outdoors. It also involves an administration role, where weekly paperwork is due in a timely manner to supervisors. Crew Leaders are ultimately responsible for successes and shortcomings of the crew, as well as safety and well-being.
Required Skills
**In response to COVID-19, we have adjusted our typical schedule to keep health and safety as our top priority. Currently, the typical schedule is 8-hour days: 10 days on followed by four days off, or five days on followed by two days off. Depending on proximity to the work site, crews either return to town each day, or camp at the project site (we refer to this as a “hitch”) for its duration. The day starts with a stretch circle and safety meeting, includes two fifteen-minute breaks and a half hour break for lunch.
Responsibilities/Required Skills:
Leadership & Mentorship
* 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
* Mentor and delegate project responsibilities and member development to Crew Leader in Development.
* Must be willing to follow and enforce all SCC policies, maintain professional boundaries, and appropriately represent Southwest Conservation Corps. 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 six to eight high school students to efficiently complete conservation projects on public lands within 8 hours of project work/day, while managing quality of work
* Think critically to resolve issues and solve problems
* Communicate effectively & coordinate logistics with project partners, co-leader, & SCC staff
Safety & Risk Management
**Implement and enforce SCC’s COVID-19 Pandemic Policies and Procedures (provided to applicants during interview process), including mask use, handwashing, and sanitizing crew vehicles and gear.
* Monitor, manage, and promote the crew’s physical and emotional safety on and off the work site
* Exhibit strong situational awareness & promote a culture of safety
* Transport crew’s and equipment safely in SCC’s vans or large SUVs with trailers
*Implement and enforce COVID policies including sanitation protocols, mask wearing, and social distancing
Administration
* Complete professional documentation of time sheets, daily and weekly reports, corps member and peer evaluations, disciplinary action forms, incident reports, and project related deliverables.
* Manage food budget and credit card for purchases
Essential Functions:
* Frequently required to walk, hike, sit and talk or listen
* Required to use hands to operate objects, tools or controls, and to reach with hands and arms
* Regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds
* Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision and the ability to focus
* Required to drive an SCC vehicle
* Must be able to speak, understand, read and write English
* Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions
Minimum Qualifications:
* Leadership experience with youth.
* Must hold current advanced medical certification (WFR, WEMT) with CPR/AED, or receive certification prior to March 29th, 2021. (WFA not accepted).
* Strong time-management skills and ability to work independently as well as with others
* Ability to effectively & efficiently manage all aspects of crew life and production within a 40-50-hour work week.
* Flexibility, adaptability and capacity to work in a fluid, changing work environment
* Willingness to commit fully to the program and its mission.
* Must be adaptive, patient and able to maintain a positive perspective throughout.
* Technical trail construction and maintenance experience
* Physically fit and able to work long days in adverse conditions
* Experience with backpacking, wilderness living and travel, LNT principles
* High School diploma or GED certificate
* Must be able to pass a criminal history background check
* Must be 21, have a clean driving record (insurable by SCC) and a current driver’s license.
Preferred Qualifications:
* Experience with experiential and/or environmental education
* Experience with SCC or other conservation corps or youth corps
* Facilitation and team-building experience with diverse groups of people
* Desire to work on a variety of conservation-based projects.
* Strong conflict resolution skills
* Sense of humor, spirit of adventure, and desire to make a positive difference and promote leadership in others
How to Apply
- Complete the Four Corners Youth Crew Leader Application, upload cover letter and resume at: www.sccorps.org/join/crew-leaders/
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