2023 NFWF Noxious Weeds Strike Crew Member

Position: SCC – NFWF Noxious Weeds Crew Member 

Dates: May 29th – August 11th, 2023  

Status: Seasonal, Full-time, Camping Program   

Location: Durango, CO 

Stipend: $600 ($400/week living stipend + $200/week housing stipend)  

Ages: 18 – 30  

Benefits: $1,374.60 300 hr AmeriCorps Education Award (Value may change depending on term of service), Food provided while in the field, uniform shirts, personal protective equipment. USFS recognized Chainsaw, Wilderness First Aid & CPR/AED certification  

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 primarily 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).  

About the Position  

The Southwest Conservation Corps is partnering with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) for a Noxious Weeds Management Crew in the Four Corners Region(La Plata and Montezuma Counties). The 4 person crew will treat noxious weeds, maintain and participate in revegetation activities such as seeding and planting, operate chainsaws, collect vegetation monitoring and survey data, and perform general restoration activities as needed. 

As an AmeriCorps program participant with the Southwest Conservation Corps, your office is the great outdoors! This strike team consists of one leader and three members. Strike teams work and camp for 4 days at a time in either frontcountry (access to your crew vehicle and trailer), in town (working with the county or municipality), or backcountry (hiking all your supplies in with backpacks) locations. 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 participate in environmental education activities if they are provided; practice appropriate safety procedures in all tasks assigned; use, maintain and repair hand and power tools as necessary.    

While the NFWF crew primarily focuses on the above mentioned project types, there is the possibility to work on other projects which may include; trail construction & maintenance, habitat improvement, hazardous fuels reduction, re-vegetation, weeding, herbicide treatment, fencing, facility maintenance, 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 4-days on and 3 off. There is a possibility you could work 8-days on and 6-days off, or a variation of schedules requiring all AmeriCorps crew members to show flexibility.  

All crews will go through a 5 day (unpaid) volunteer orientation (May 29th – June 2nd, 2023). 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 
• A US citizen that has received (or on track to receive) a high school diploma or GED 
• Regularly lift and/or move up to 50 lbs
• 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 times

Risk Management and Judgement  

• Effectively follow direction by others, so that you will be able to successfully manage hazards 
• Ask clarifying questions 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. 

Any questions can be sent to:   

Lane Tomassini, Adult Program Coordinator: ltomassini@conservationlegacy.org  

Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to hiring a breadth of diverse professionals and encourage members of diverse groups to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, political affiliation, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.