Job Description

Title:  AmeriCorps Youth Crew Leader Development Program (CLDP) member  

Reports to: Youth Programs Manager  

Location: Durango, CO | Four Corners Office 

Status: Seasonal, Full-time, Non-Exempt   

Dates: March 29th– August 13th, 2021 

Wages: AmeriCorps Living stipend of $450/week + AmeriCorps Education Award of $2,360 upon successful completion of the program.

Benefits:  3 days’ discretionary time, 2 days PTO 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
*Wilderness Medicine: CLDP members are provided with Wilderness First Responder/CPR/AED training. There will be a WFR course available in Durango at the end of March 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 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).   

This position is an opportunity to make a difference in young peoples’ lives. CLDP’s will be mentors, educators and facilitators for high school students, working to increase youth resiliency, build confidence and to be positive role models for their members.  
 

The AmeriCorps (A*C) 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 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, leaders will transition to co-leading two 4-week sessions with high school students ages 14-18. Each CLDP will be paired with an experienced crew leader. Crews will complete a variety of local conservation and community 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. 

Co-leader pairs are responsible for the physical safety and emotional well-being of their crew, project management and implementation, creating developmental and educational opportunities, completing program paperwork each week. Camping crews prepare all their own meals and work together as a group to complete all the necessary chores. Day Crew Leaders will have a camping location and food provided during the work week. 

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. 

Required Skills: 

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 Southwest Conservation Corps and AmeriCorps. (This includes creating a substance free work environment, refraining from the use of tobacco products, alcohol and drugs while on “hitch”).  
• Adaptability: Projects have a degree of uncertainty and will include variable living conditions and last-minute changes. Members must be adaptive, patient and able to maintain a positive perspective throughout.  

• Leadership: Experience or a strong desire to lead and mentor a diverse group of young individuals (ages range from 14–18 years old for youth crews, 18-25 for adult crews). Ability to manage and participate in day-to-day details of crew life at work. Ability to listen, willingness to receive feedback, and a desire to grow continually.   
• Community Building: Strong interest in helping others to grow as individuals while building cohesiveness in a group setting. Members must be willing to work hard, listen to and respect others’ viewpoints, be tolerant of diversity, participate as a team, and be dedicated to the SCC mission.  
• Environmental Stewardship: Members must have a genuine enjoyment and desire for caring for the land while living and working in the outdoors in a variety of conditions.  
• Fitness: SCC projects are physically demanding!!! Projects involve hiking, backpacking, heavy lifting and repetitive motions while using a variety of hand tools. Projects can sometimes take place at very high elevations, above 8,500′, and in variable weather conditions (i.e. low desert to high alpine). Members should be ready to confront these conditions while being able to help and encourage others that they are leading.   
• Conservation: Experience or a strong desire to learn the technical skills needed to effectively maintain public lands, and having a flexible definition of what ‘conservation’ means.  

• Corpsmember Development: Experience or strong desire to learn and participate as an outdoor educator and/or mentor.   
• Driving: Members are responsible for driving 8-12-passenger vehicles while pulling a trailer. In order to drive, members must be 21, have a clean driving record (insurable) and a current driver’s license.  
• Education: At a minimum, members must be high school graduates, GED recipients, working toward attaining a high school diploma or GED during their term of service. Members must agree to obtain either a diploma or GED before using an education award.   
• Citizenship: 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.   

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.  

Participation 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  
• Contribute to a safe learning environment; no harassment of others for any reason.  

• 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/team activities, including service days in local communities where applicable.  
• Effectively communicate ideas and concerns as they arise directly to supervisors, colleagues and staff 
• Have the cognitive ability to learn necessary skills and apply them to carry out service work requirements 
• Appropriately represent the Program and AmeriCorps to the public and project partners at all times.  

Safety and Judgment  

• **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. 
• 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 conditions  
• Perceive and comprehend 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.  
• 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  

Environmental Ethics  

• Learn and practice ‘Leave no Trace’ techniques  

Outdoor Skills and Fitness (where appropriate)  

• Learn and safely perform fundamental outdoor living/travel and work skills as appropriate to the project. Additionally, remain adequately hydrated, fed, and properly dressed so 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 program activities and while on organization property.  

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 for individuals with disabilities 

How to Apply

• Complete the CLDP Application, upload cover letter and resume at: www.sccorps.org/join/crew-leaders/  

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

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