THIS POSITION WILL REMAIN OPEN PERMANENTLY. APPLICANTS WILL BE SELECTED ON A “ONGOING” BASIS DEPENDING UPON CURRENT CREW AND PROJECT NEEDS. IF A POSITION MATCHING YOUR SKILL SET AND AVAILABILITY OPENS UP, YOU WILL BE CONTACTED FOR FOLLOW UP. THIS APPLICANT POOL WILL BE SCREENED FOR ALL ASSISTANT CREW LEADER POSITIONS AVAILABLE AT CONSERVATION CORPS NEW MEXICO.

START DATE: Ongoing

STATUS:  Dependent on start date

STIPEND: $450/week

LOCATION: Las Cruces, NM

BENEFITS: AmeriCorps Education Award; Paid training; Food budget while on camping hitch; Employee Assistance Program

CREW MODELS

Available crew models vary for each start date

GENERAL FIELD CREWS:

CCNM's Field Crew program engages motivated young adults to complete challenging and impactful conservation service projects throughout southern New Mexico. With both camping crews and non-camping day work crews, there are a variety of crews to choose from!

NATIVE AFFINITY CREWS:

A crew experience for for NATIVE, young adults looking to have a hands-on experience completing conservation projects on public lands. The power and impact of native affinity programming is due to the network of operational support from CCNM and the shared corps experience.

LOCAL CREWS:

This crew is for young adults FROM LAS CRUCES AND THE SURROUNDING AREA interested in completing local conservation projects. Local crews for young adults provide members with job skills, leadership opportunities, challenging project work and personal and professional development. Crew members primarily spend each night at their own home and work on projects during the day, however camping will be required on occasion.

CREW LEADER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM CREWS:

This crew is focused on connecting young adults ASPIRING TO DEVELOP LEADERSHIP SKILLS with conservation service work projects on public lands. The goal of the leadership development program is to provide participants with a variety of training focused on hard skills as well as leadership through peer leadership activities to prepare members for leadership roles within the conservation corps setting.  Upon completion of the leadership development program, members are encouraged to apply to be assistant crew leaders, crew leaders or youth conservation corps mentors.  

VETERANS FIRE CORPS CREWS:

The crew is multi-faceted and demanding, but with opportunity for enormous rewards. Successful candidates will demonstrate high standards, compassion, excellent judgment, effective communication skills, initiative, and the desire to devote themselves (at least seasonally) to working alongside other military veterans, AGES 21-35 YEARS OLD, in an environmental setting.  The crew will work together and maintain a flexible, positive, and professional attitude. The program engages participants in a cohort environment in which a team of recent-era military veterans work together to train and complete natural resource management projects, specifically related to fire fuels management and fuels reduction using chainsaws. This crew assists recent-era veterans transition from military to civilian careers. Crew Leaders do not have to be military veterans.

SUMMARY

CONSERVATION CORPS NEW MEXICO (CCNM):

Conservation Corps New Mexico, a program of Conservation Legacy, aims to continue the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930s. CCNM crews are based in Las Cruces, NM and all project work will take place on public lands in New Mexico and western Texas.

FIELD CREW PROJECT WORK:

CCNM works with a variety of land management agencies in New Mexico and western Texas, such as US Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, or Municipal, State and Non-profit organizations that work on our nation's public and tribal lands

Project work may vary due to seasonality and environmental safety concerns.  Projects that crews typically work on may include, but are not limited to:

• Trail construction and maintenance
• Invasive species management, including pesticide application
• Habitation restoration
• Fence installation/repair
• Land Management Inventory and Mapping
• Fire fuels reduction
• National Disaster Relief
• Community Service
• Recreation and facilities maintenance and construction

ASSISTANT CREW LEADER RESPONSIBILITIES

Assistant Crew Leaders (ACL) are responsible for facilitating a positive crew member experience by setting an example of enthusiasm throughout work and camp life. The ACL works in tandem with the Crew Leader to communicate directions, project specifications, and constructive criticism throughout the term of service. The ACL will expand their role, learn leadership strategies, assume management duties including filling-in for the Crew Leader in project relations or completing paperwork when needed.

TRAINING

Generally, the term begins with a leadership training which focuses on developing outdoor leadership skills, goal setting, technical and field skills training and developing an understanding of CCNM procedures. We tend to approach this training with a train-the-trainer technique. Following leadership training, most terms will begin with an orientation with Crew Leaders and Crew Members that includes training on First Aid (typically Wilderness First Aid), Leave No Trace, Outdoor Living, Crew Culture and Diversity, and goal setting.  Informal hands-on training will continue throughout the term with on- the- ground skills training.

Depending on the project needs, crews may receive specialized training in herbicide handling, crosscut saw, chainsaw, dry stone masonry or rigging. 

SCHEDULE:

Generally, crews work an 8-day, 10-hours/day ‘hitch’ schedule, while camping in front and backcountry settings. Typically, members will have 5 days off in the town of the home base office.  Drive time to and from the work site from the home base office is typically included in the hitch schedule.  Applicants should expect the project schedule and type of work to vary. 

Workdays will start with a Job Hazard Analysis safety meeting followed by a 15-minute warm-up exercise and a 15-minute stretch.  Days will include two 15-minute breaks and one 30-minute lunch.

QUALIFICATIONS:  

• 18-25 with some leadership experience
• Excellent communication and teaching/mentoring skills, as well as, strong conflict resolution and team building skills.
• Ability perform administrative duties, such as managing crew budget and documents and utilizing Microsoft programs.
• Strong time-management skills and ability to work independently and in collaboration with a small group.
• Valid driver’s license and an insurable driving record.
• Have US Citizenship or Legal Permanent Residency status. 
• Have a high school diploma or GED
• Pass background checks: all offers of positions are conditional upon completion of an acceptable check of the National Sex Offender Public Registry and Federal criminal background check

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Prior AmeriCorps Service
• Experience with backpacking, wilderness travel, camp management and outdoor leadership preferred.
• Professional technical certifications
• Certification in Wilderness First Responder and CPR.
• Relevant Bachelor’s degree.

EXPECTATIONS  

CCNM is a drug-free organization; alcohol and illegal substances are prohibited. CCNM is an independent, non-residential program. The crew member must supply his/her/their own personal outdoor gear and equipment such as a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, day pack, multi-day pack, work pants, hiking/work boots, etc. A suggested gear-list will be provided prior to starting the term of service.  CCNM will provide the tools, personal protective gear, budget for crew meals and transportation to projects.  Additionally, CCNM has pro-deals and some gear available to borrow.

PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, AND MENTAL SAFETY:

Proper safety procedures must be observed in all tasks, including the repair and use of hand and power tools used on projects.

• 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 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 weather conditions 
• Perceive and comprehend significant and apparent 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.

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 organization staff. 
• Have the cognitive ability to learn necessary skills and apply them to effectively carry out the service work requirements 
• Appropriately represent the program and AmeriCorps to the public and project partners at all times

ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS: 

• Learn and practice ‘Leave no Trace’ techniques at all times
• Outdoor Skills and Fitness
• Learn and safely perform fundamental outdoor living, travel, and work skills as appropriate to the project. Additionally, practice self-care by staying adequately hydrated, fed, and properly dressed, so as to remain 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 challenging weather conditions. These remote locations may require up to 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.

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 provide some accommodations, excepting that which 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. 

Required Skills Required Experience