Title: Adult Crew Leader  

Reports to: Program Coordinator 

Locations: Durango, CO  

Status: Seasonal, Full-time, Exempt  

Start/end date: As Soon As Possible (Flexible) – November 18th, 2023 

Wages: $690-800/week DOE, DOQ  

Benefits: Health Benefit Eligible, Sick time and Discretionary time, Food provided while in the field, uniforms, protective equipment, access to Mental Health Consultant and Employee Assistance Program.  

Training:  U.S. Forest Service recognized OHLEC Chainsaw and Crosscut training, Technical Trails Training, QPR Suicide Prevention Training, Mandatory Reporter Training, Trauma Informed Approach Training.  

Housing: SCC-Durango is piloting a Host-Housing program based on need and will be securing a camping location for leaders and CLDPs during the spring season. Options will be reviewed in the interview process.  

Multiple positions open until filled.  

   
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 primarily 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 Crew Leader position is an opportunity to make a difference in young peoples’ lives while completing conservation projects on public and private lands! Leaders will be mentors, educators, and facilitators for young adults, working to promote the health and resiliency of our land, air and water. SCC’s Adult Crew Leaders will spend nearly 3 months in a crew leader training period, 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, Crew Leaders will mentor a CLDP and co-lead a crew of young adults for the Summer and Fall season. Crews typically consist 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.  

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 young adults, the environment, and a positive 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 young adults in the outdoors. It also involves an administration role, where weekly paperwork is due in a timely manner to supervisors.   

This position will be joined by a Crew Leader Development Program (CLDP) member, an AmeriCorps leadership position focusing on the continued development of leadership skills. While this will be a collaborative relationship, the Crew Leader bears ultimate responsibility for member development, as well as high quality project accomplishments for our partners.  

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   Mentor and delegate responsibilities and member development to the CLDP   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, CLDP, & 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 social distancing   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  

Administration  

Complete professional documentation of time sheets, daily and weekly field reports, corps member and peer evaluations, restorative justice forms, incident response forms, and project related deliverables   Manage food budget and credit card for purchases  

Minimum Qualifications:  

Willingness to commit fully to the program and its mission   Must hold current advanced medical certification (WFR or higher) with CPR/AED, or be willing to receive cert. prior to start date   Ability to effectively 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 learn and be a part of a dynamic community of peer leaders   Must be adaptive, patient, and able to maintain a positive perspective throughout   Able to work long days in adverse conditions   Must be able to speak, understand and write English   High School diploma or GED certificate   Must be 21 years old   Exhibits the ability to effectively work on diverse teams or with a variety of populations, including those underrepresented at our organization and those of BIPOC communities  

Preferred Qualifications or a Strong Desire to Grow in the Following:  

Experience with SCC or other conservation corps or youth corps   Experience with experiential and/or environmental education   Experience with backpacking, wilderness living and travel   Facilitation and team-building experience with diverse groups of people   Time-management skills and ability to work independently as well as with others   Strong conflict resolution skills   Leadership experience with youth or young adults   Technical trails, Crosscut or Chainsaw experience   Sense of humor, spirit of adventure, and desire to make a positive difference and promote leadership in others  

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  

To apply:   

Upload resume, cover letter and complete the Crew Leader application: www.sccorps.org/join/crew-leaders/  

Any questions can be addressed to:  

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

Kristen Hencke: Adult Program Coordinator, khencke@conservtionlegacy.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 a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.