POSITION: SCC FOUR CORNERS – TRAILS STRIKE TEAM CREW MEMBER

DATES: May 24 – August 21, 2021 (San Juan NF)

             May 24 – September 17, 2021 (Grand Mesa Uncompahgre and Gunnison NF)

STATUS: Seasonal, Full-time, Camping Program  

LOCATION: Durango, CO 

STIPEND: $330/week 

AGES: 18 – 30 

HEALTH BENEFITS: Not Health Benefit Eligible  

OTHER BENEFITS: Wilderness First Aid Certificate, food provided while in the field, uniform shirts, personal protective equipment

AMERICORPS EDUCATION AWARD: $1,638.89 or $2,360.00 depending on term of service

SOUTHWEST CONSERVATION CORPS:  The 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 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). 

For the health and safety of our crews, staff and communities, projects may be postponed or adjusted due to COVID-19. The information provided in this Position Description 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.  

ABOUT THE POSITION 

As an AmeriCorps program participant with the Southwest Conservation Corps, your office is the great outdoors! The Strike Team is a smaller crew, consisting of 1 Leader and 2-3 Crew Members, the idea behind it being they will be a more mobile crew that can move around the forest easier to respond to unique projects, where a full 8-person crew would be too cumbersome.

Crews work and camp for 4-8 days at a time in either frontcountry (access to your crew vehicle and trailer), or backcountry (hiking all your supplies in with backpacks) locations, in all types of weather conditions. You will work effectively as a member of the crew; perform strenuous physical work related to environmental conservation and restoration projects; work outdoors in all types of weather and successfully adapt to various climates; effectively learn and apply new environmental conservation and restoration skills; actively participare in environmental education activities; practice appropriate safety procedures in all tasks assigned; use, maintain and repair hand and power tools as necessary.

Projects include trail construction & maintenance, habitat improvement, 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 if the opportunity arises.  

Schedules generally are 8-days on and 6 off or 4-days on and 3 off. There is a possibility you could work 5-days on and 2-days off, or a variation of schedules requiring all AmeriCorps crew members to show flexibility. SCC does not provide housing on your off days. 

All crews will go through a 5 day volunteer orientation (May 24th – 28th , 2021). This will include a Wilderness First Aid training. Food and space to camp is provided for this training.  

REQUIRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE 

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• To qualify, you must be between the ages of 18 and 30 
• Regularly lift and/or move up to 50 lbs. 
• A US citizen that has received (or on track to receive) a high school diploma or GED 
• All offers of employment are conditional upon completion of an acceptable check of the National Sex Offender Public Registry and federal criminal background check.

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. 

PARTICIPANT AND EXPEDITION BEHAVIOR 

• Work effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions 
• Willingness and ability to complete all aspects of the program 
• Contribute to a safe learning environment, no harassment of any kind 
• Appropriately represent SCC and AmeriCorps to the public and project partners at all time

RISK MANAGEMENT AND JUDGEMENT 

• Effectively follow direction by others, so that you will be able to successfully manage hazards 
• Ask clarifying question when you do not understand a task 
• Maintain focus during workday, both while traveling and working in varied weather conditions. 
• If taking prescription medications, participants must be able to maintain proper dosage without assistance from others.

ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS & OUTDOOR SKILLS 

• Learn and safely perform fundamental outdoor living and work skills as appropriate to the project. 
• Live in a physically demanding, possibly remote environment for an uninterrupted period of up to several weeks

SUBSTANCE FREE 

• In accordance with a drug free workplace, alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in AmeriCorps and SCC activities, and while on organization property.

TO APPLY: VISIT HTTPS://SCCORPS.ORG/OPEN-POSITIONS 

Any questions can be sent to Eric Falk, Program Coordinator: efalk@conservationlegacy.org  

Required Skills Required Experience