Start/end date: March 30th, 2020 – Mid November 2020 (Option to end in August)
Wages: $685 / week
Benefits: Food provided while in the field, uniforms, U.S. Forest Service recognized Crosscut & Chainsaw training (Certificate awarded upon completion of program), Mental Health First Aid, and other development opportunities.
Multiple positions opened until filled.
Southwest Conservation Corps:
The Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC) is a non-profit, AmeriCorps-affiliated organization, whose mission is to empower individuals to positively impact their lives, their communities and the environment. SCC supports youth, adult camping crews (ages 18-30), and Veteran fire crews (ages 18-35) with crew-based programming to complete challenging and impactful conservation projects throughout the Four Corners and Los Valles Regions. Projects include, trail construction & maintenance, habitat improvement, invasive species removal, hazardous fuels reduction, re-vegetation and local environmental service projects. Crews may also complete technical and/or specialized projects depending on project partner needs, including disaster relief. SCC crews work in national parks, forests, and other public lands throughout central and southwestern Colorado.
Position Summary:
Crews consists of 6 members and 2 leaders. 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 camps together, prepare all meals together, and work together as a group to complete all projects and chores. SCC does not provide accommodations off-hitch and Crew Leaders will be responsible for their own accommodations during that time.
Crew Leaders will lead crews in completing technical conservation projects while instilling interpersonal skills and leadership skills. Crew leaders will also be responsible for leading crews in environmental stewardship, i.e. Leave No Trace, and risk management. A variety of soft skills and technical competencies are required to be successful in this role. See below for core competencies:
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.
- Foster 21st century work skills in corps members, i.e.: collaboration & teamwork, creativity & imagination, critical thinking, problem-solving, flexibility & adaptability
- 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
- Implement a 10-hour workday and ensure professionalism is always maintained
- Delegation of project work & investment among co-leader and crew
- Manage the on-the-ground quality and quantity of project work
- Think critically to resolve issues and solve problems
- Effectively coordinate logistics with project partners, co-leader, & SCC staff
Risk Management
- Analyze, manage, and inform on hazardous conditions and crew health
- Exhibit strong situational awareness & promote a culture of safety
- Transport crew and equipment safely in SCC’s vans or large SUVs with trailers
Administration
- Meet all deadlines for documentation, i.e., timesheets, evaluations, incident reports
- Record all project related outcomes and deliverables.
- Manage food budget and credit card for purchases.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Willingness to commit fully to the program and its mission
- Ability to effectively and 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
- Physically fit and able to work long days in adverse conditions
- Must be able to speak, understand and write English
- High School diploma or GED certificate
- Must hold current/relevant medical certification (WFR, WEMT, or OEC) with CPR/AED
- Must be 21, have a clean driving record (insurable by SCC) and a current driver’s license.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with SCC or other conservation corps or youth corps
- Experience with experiential and/or environmental education
- Experience with backpacking, wilderness living and travel, and LNT principles.
- Facilitation and team-building experience with diverse groups of people
- Strong time-management skills and ability to work independently as well as with others
- Desire to work on a variety of conservation-based projects
- Strong conflict resolution skills
- Leadership experience with youth or young adults
- Crosscut or Chainsaw experience
- Technical trail experience
- Relevant Bachelor’s Degree
- Sense of humor, spirit of adventure, and desire to make a positive difference and promote leadership in others.