Job Description
Term of service Full-time,approximately 9 months Location Kykotsmovi, AZ. Living Allowance $685 per week AmeriCorps Award N/A Ages 21-30 YO Start Date 3/23/2020
SOUTHWEST CONSERVATION CORPS-ANCESTRAL LANDS HOPI: SCC-AL empowers individuals to positively impact their lives, their communities and the environment.
THE ANCESTRAL LANDS PROGRAM IS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO ENGAGE NATIVE AMERICAN YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS. THE CREW LEADER POSITION IS OPEN TO THE AGES OF 18 - 30, WHO ARE LOCAL TO THE HOPI COMMUNITY.
The Southwest Conservation Corps Ancestral Lands (SCC-AL) is a non-profit, AmeriCorps-affiliated organization. The SCC-AL selects young adults, ages 16-30, to complete conservation work projects on public lands throughout the Southwest. SCC-AL programs encourage environmental stewardship, foster community partnerships, and emphasize experiential learning. The majority of SCC-AL’s programs are residential programs, with crews camping in either front-country or back-country settings for 4-10 day periods; schedules may vary by program and region. SCC serves a diverse population that is representative of the Southwest; including youth, graduates, veterans, and a cross-section of ethnicities and income levels.
ANCESTRAL LANDS (AL) -engages Native youth and young adults in meaningful conservation projects on Native Lands. With programs in Acoma Pueblo, Navajo Nation, and most recently Zuni Pueblo; Ancestral Lands crews have being working on projects from historical preservation, traditional agriculture, chainsaw crews, hiking clubs, stream restoration, fencing, trail construction and more. The Ancestral Lands program also aims to incorporate traditional culture and language as part of crew lifestyle and project work.
POSITION SUMMARY
SCC Ancestral Lands 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, maturity, initiative, professionalism, and the desire to devote themselves to a crew experience where the needs of others are placed above oneself. The Crew Leader position requires, mentorship, patience, technical aptitude, focus on efficiency, and a high level of comfort in the outdoors. Crew Leaders are ultimately responsible for the day to day successes and short-comings of the crew.
Required Skills
GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS: The AL Crew Leader emphasizes Leadership, Conservation, and Corpsmember Development.
LEADERSHIP – A Crew Leader must have experience or a strong desire to mentor a diverse group of young individuals. Must provide leadership in SCC’s service programs and work alongside Assistant Crew Leaders. They will lead, mentor, manage, and participate in the day-to-day details of crew life at work. Leadership duties with SCC require that all crew leaders must have a clean driving record (insurable) and a current driver’s license. IF YOU HAVE ANY MAJOR DRIVING INFRACTIONS WITHIN THE PAST 5 YEARS (I.E. DUI, DWI, ACCIDENTS, RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT, ETC.), PLEASE CHECK WITH SCC TO CONFIRM WHETHER OR NOT YOU ARE INSURABLE. FINAL ACCEPTANCE DECISIONS ARE CONTINGENT UPON YOUR DRIVING RECORD. INDIVIDUALS THAT CANNOT BE INSURED UNDER SCC’S INSURANCE POLICY MAY NOT BE SELECTED FOR THE CREW LEADER PROGRAM.
CONSERVATION – Previous experience with a conservation corps is preferred but not required. Participants will spend their term with SCC learning and strengthening their conservation skills on projects throughout the Four Corners. These skills will include, primarily, trail maintenance and construction and forestry work; additional skills that may be gained (depending on contract work) include fencing, invasive species identification and eradication, stream and river restoration, habitat restoration, ecological restoration, campground improvement, and rock work. Members will receive training and certification on the proper use and safety of a chainsaw (if applicable).
CORPSMEMBER DEVELOPMENT – Previous experience as an outdoor educator and/or mentor is preferred but not required. Must have a strong desire to teach and implement a Corpsmember Development Program which includes personal, professional, and educational components. Crew Member participants spend their first 8-12 weeks familiarizing themselves with this program and practice facilitating different aspects of the program with the rest of the crew. During this time, Crew leaders will mentor Crew Members.
IN ADDITION CREW LEADER PARTICIPANTS MUST UNDERSTAND THE NEED FOR:
COMMITMENT – AmeriCorps members must make a strong commitment 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.
SAFETY -You will be expected to take a serious attitude toward safety all day and every day.
PROFESSIONALISM – participants must be willing to follow all SCC policies, maintain professional boundaries, and appropriately represent Southwest Conservation Corps and AmeriCorps. Participants are also required to be TOLERANT OF DIVERSITY; respecting the differences of others.
TEAMWORK – Crew Leaders and members must be willing to demonstrate teamwork and respect for others and a commitment to group decisions.
TECHNOLOGY – The use of technology, including cell phones, iPods, MP3 players, and other battery powered devices is not allowed during all work, chore, group and meal times as well as during de-rigs and rig-up. Members must agree to not use these types of technology while participating in these activities and must agree to help regulate this important SCC policy when in a leadership position.
SUBSTANCE FREE – participants MUST refrain from tobacco products, alcohol, and/or drugs while participating in the SCC program.
FITNESS – Projects involve hiking, heavy lifting and repetitive motions. SCC projects are physically demanding!!! Projects can sometimes take place at elevations well above 8,500 feet. Crew Leaders should be ready to confront these conditions while being able to help and encourage crew members.
CITIZENSHIP – Corpsmember must be a United States Citizen or Permanent Resident
Required Experience
LEADERSHIP & MENTORSHIP
Manage, supervise, and lead the day-to-day details of project work.
Implement skills training on work-site 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 Crew Development while delegating project responsibilities, overseeing crew life, and member development to them.
Must be willing to follow and enforce all SCC policies, maintain professional boundaries, and appropriately represent Southwest Conservation Corps. This includes creating and maintaining substance free work environment, refraining from the use of tobacco products, alcohol, and drugs while involved in the program.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT & IMPLEMENTATION
Train and motivate a crew of six to eight young adults to efficiently complete conservation projects on public lands
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
Communicate effectively & coordinate logistics with project partners, co-leader, & SCC staff
SAFETY & RISK MANAGEMENT
Promote and Facilitate a Safe working environment On and off Cutting Site.
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 and equipment safely in SCC’s vans or large SUVs with trailer.
ADMINISTRATION
Complete professional documentation of time sheets, daily and weekly reports, corps member and peer evaluations, disciplinary action forms, incident reports, etc.
Responsible for all project related outcomes and deliverables.
Manage food budget and credit card for purchases
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Chainsaw Cert, (S212, or Equivalent)
Willingness to commit fully to the program and its mission.
Leadership experience with youth or young adults.
Excellent organizational & communication skills
Strong time-management skills and ability to work independently as well as with others
Ability to effectively and 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 learn and be a part of a dynamic community of peer leaders.
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 hold current/relevant medical certification (WFA, 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
Facilitation and team-building experience with diverse groups of people
Strong conflict resolution skills
Chainsaw experience
Relevant Bachelor’s Degree
Sense of humor, spirit of adventure, and desire to make a positive difference and promote leadership in others
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 the essential functions
GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS: The AL Crew Leader emphasizes Leadership, Conservation, and Corpsmember Development.
LEADERSHIP – A Crew Leader must have experience or a strong desire to mentor a diverse group of young individuals. Must provide leadership in SCC’s service programs and work alongside Assistant Crew Leaders. They will lead, mentor, manage, and participate in the day-to-day details of crew life at work. Leadership duties with SCC require that all crew leaders must have a clean driving record (insurable) and a current driver’s license. IF YOU HAVE ANY MAJOR DRIVING INFRACTIONS WITHIN THE PAST 5 YEARS (I.E. DUI, DWI, ACCIDENTS, RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT, ETC.), PLEASE CHECK WITH SCC TO CONFIRM WHETHER OR NOT YOU ARE INSURABLE. FINAL ACCEPTANCE DECISIONS ARE CONTINGENT UPON YOUR DRIVING RECORD. INDIVIDUALS THAT CANNOT BE INSURED UNDER SCC’S INSURANCE POLICY MAY NOT BE SELECTED FOR THE CREW LEADER PROGRAM.
CONSERVATION – Previous experience with a conservation corps is preferred but not required. Participants will spend their term with SCC learning and strengthening their conservation skills on projects throughout the Four Corners. These skills will include, primarily, trail maintenance and construction and forestry work; additional skills that may be gained (depending on contract work) include fencing, invasive species identification and eradication, stream and river restoration, habitat restoration, ecological restoration, campground improvement, and rock work. Members will receive training and certification on the proper use and safety of a chainsaw (if applicable).
CORPSMEMBER DEVELOPMENT – Previous experience as an outdoor educator and/or mentor is preferred but not required. Must have a strong desire to teach and implement a Corpsmember Development Program which includes personal, professional, and educational components. Crew Member participants spend their first 8-12 weeks familiarizing themselves with this program and practice facilitating different aspects of the program with the rest of the crew. During this time, Crew leaders will mentor Crew Members.
IN ADDITION CREW LEADER PARTICIPANTS MUST UNDERSTAND THE NEED FOR:
COMMITMENT – AmeriCorps members must make a strong commitment 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.
SAFETY -You will be expected to take a serious attitude toward safety all day and every day.
PROFESSIONALISM – participants must be willing to follow all SCC policies, maintain professional boundaries, and appropriately represent Southwest Conservation Corps and AmeriCorps. Participants are also required to be TOLERANT OF DIVERSITY; respecting the differences of others.
TEAMWORK – Crew Leaders and members must be willing to demonstrate teamwork and respect for others and a commitment to group decisions.
TECHNOLOGY – The use of technology, including cell phones, iPods, MP3 players, and other battery powered devices is not allowed during all work, chore, group and meal times as well as during de-rigs and rig-up. Members must agree to not use these types of technology while participating in these activities and must agree to help regulate this important SCC policy when in a leadership position.
SUBSTANCE FREE – participants MUST refrain from tobacco products, alcohol, and/or drugs while participating in the SCC program.
FITNESS – Projects involve hiking, heavy lifting and repetitive motions. SCC projects are physically demanding!!! Projects can sometimes take place at elevations well above 8,500 feet. Crew Leaders should be ready to confront these conditions while being able to help and encourage crew members.
CITIZENSHIP – Corpsmember must be a United States Citizen or Permanent Resident