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

REPORTS TO: Youth Programs Manager 

LOCATION: Salida, CO | Los Valles Office

STATUS: Seasonal, Full-time, Non-exempt  

DATES: March 29th (Flexible start if needed)-August 13th, 2021 or Oct 2021

WAGES: AmeriCorps Living stipend of $500/week + AmeriCorps Education Award of $2,360=(675 hour slot) upon successful completion of the program.

BENEFITS: 3 days’ discretionary time, 5 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 Training

**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:  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. The SCC Los Valles office is located on the ancestral lands of the Ute people, in Salida Colorado, and serves the Arkansas River Valley and the San Luis Valley: the two valleys, or los valles. SCC Los Valles engages motivated young adults, ages 18 - 30, to complete challenging and impactful conservation and service projects. Projects may include, trail construction & maintenance, habitat improvement, invasive species mitigation, hazardous fuels reduction, habitat restoration, and local environmental service projects.  Crews may also complete technical and/or specialized projects depending on project partner needs, including disaster relief if the opportunity arises. 

POSITION SUMMARY: 

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 5-week sessions with high school students ages 14-18. Each CLDP will be paired with an experienced crew leader. 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. Sessions will be Monday-Friday and are either camping or day crews. Crews will complete local conservation based projects that may include: trail construction & maintenance, habitat improvement and invasive species removal, re-vegetation, fencing carpentry, gardening and local environmental service projects.  

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. **In response to COVID-19, we have adjusted our typical schedule to keep health and safety as our top priority. 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. 

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  
• Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities

TO APPLY: For SCC LOS VALLES equity is a core value. To put power behind this statement, we prioritize and encourage opportunities for Black, Indigenous, Queer, Trans, and Women of Color (QTBIPOC).

• Complete the CLDP Application, upload cover letter and resume at: sccorps.org/join/crew-leaders/
• Questions can be addressed to:

Aubrey Tamietti | Youth Programs Manager

SCC Los Valles

719-298-1475 | aubrey@conservationlegacy.org

Required Skills Required Experience