Conservation Crew Leader
Conservation LegacyTitle: Adult Crew Leader
Reports to: Adult Program Coordinator
Locations: Durango, CO
Status: Seasonal, Full-time, Camping Program
Dates: March 24th- November 7th, 2025
Wages: $1128/week
Benefits: Health Benefit Eligible, 5 paid days off structured in August between seasons, and 3 additional days of PTO. Food provided while in the field, uniforms, protective equipment, access to Mental Health Consultant and Employee Assistance Program.
Training: Forest Service recognized Crosscut & Chainsaw training, Technical Trails training, as well as mental health and leadership skills trainings.
Housing: SCC-Durango will be securing a camping location for leaders and CLDPs during the spring season. Other options, including host-housing and a partnership with a local hostel, which will be reviewed in the interview process.
Multiple positions available. Application closes December 30th 2024.
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 primarily 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).
Position Summary:
The Adult Crew Leader position is an opportunity to make a difference in young peoples’ lives while completing conservation projects on public and private lands! Leaders will be mentors, educators, and facilitators for young adults, working to promote the health and resiliency of our land, air and water.
SCC’s Adult Crew Leaders will spend 9 weeks in a crew leader training period alongside fellow Crew Leaders, CLDPs and SCC Staff, which will include a SCC leadership skills week, chainsaw and crosscut training, technical trails training, administrative training, and prep weeks, in addition to project work. Crews typically consist of 6-7 members, 1 Crew Leader and 1 CLDP. Crews work in front country and backcountry locations in all weather conditions. Standard schedule consists of 8 days on-hitch and 6 days off, or 4 days on-hitch and 3 days off, with some exceptions. Crew Leaders may also be required to come in for an additional day each hitch cycle to complete administrative duties and check-ins with program staff. On-hitch, crews camp together, prepare all meals together, and work together as a group to complete all projects and chores.
Southwest Conservation Corps’ 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 and decision-making, maturity, initiative, professionalism, and the desire to devote themselves to young adults, the environment, and a positive crew experience. The Crew Leader position requires patience, mentorship, technical aptitude, focus on efficiency, and a high level of comfort outdoors. It also involves an administration role, where weekly paperwork is due in a timely manner to supervisors.
This position will be joined by a Crew Leader Development Program (CLDP) member, an AmeriCorps leadership position focusing on the continued development of leadership skills. While this will be a collaborative relationship, the Crew Leader bears ultimate responsibility for CLDP development, member development, and all administrative duties.
Examples of crews we may be running during the 2025 season are listed below. All crew leaders should be prepared and willing to do all manners of project work, but please be ready to speak to your preferences and how you would support them during your interview:
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Conservation/Trail Crew – A crew for young adults that works in both backcountry and front country settings, focusing on trails and a variety of conservation work
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Chainsaw Crew - A crew for young adults that works primarily in front country settings, focusing on sustainable forestry, fuels reduction, or invasive species removal (with the potential to use herbicide)
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Crosscut Crew – Crew works in remote Wilderness areas, clearing down trees from trails with a two-person crosscut saw
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Fuels Crew – Crews complete fire training and project work specifically related to fuels management and fuels reduction
Affinity Crews
The goal of our affinity crews is to have a place where those with identities that have historically and systematically been underrepresented in the conservation field can come together and build an equitable community with representative leadership “by us, for us”. These crews seek to create an inclusive space for all regardless of gender or sexual identity. We value respect (of names, pronouns, orientation, gender, and philosophies), confidentiality, and boundaries (both physical and auditory).
Affinity Crews we may be running in 2025:
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Women’s+ Crew – An affinity crew for Women (both trans + cis) and Non-Binary individuals
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Queer Crew – An affinity crew for LGBTQAI2S+ individuals
Responsibilities:
Leadership & Mentorship
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Mentor the CLDP: provide valuable feedback, give opportunities for growth, delegate responsibilities, and encourage technical and leadership skill development
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Integrate values pertaining to DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) within the corps
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Implement skills training on worksite and facilitate intentional discussions via informal lessons to contribute to the crew’s personal growth and group dynamics
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Promote individual corps member development and a healthy community
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Must be willing to follow and enforce all SCC policies, maintain professional boundaries, and appropriately represent SCC. This includes creating a substance free work environment, refraining from the use of tobacco products, alcohol, and drugs while involved in the program
Project Management & Implementation
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Train, motivate and supervise a crew of young adults to efficiently complete conservation projects, while working long hours and managing high quality of work and crew morale
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Think critically to resolve issues and solve problems
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Communicate effectively & coordinate logistics with project partners, CLDP, & SCC staff
Safety & Risk Management
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Monitor, manage, and promote the crew’s physical and emotional safety
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Exhibit strong situational awareness & promote a culture of safety
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Transport crew and equipment safely in SCC’s vans or large SUVs with trailers
Administration
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Complete professional documentation of time sheets, daily and weekly field reports, corps member and peer evaluations, restorative justice forms, incident response forms, and project related deliverables
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Manage food budget and credit card for purchases
Minimum Qualifications:
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Willingness to commit fully to the program and its mission
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Experience with conservation corps, public land agencies, or similar
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Leadership experience with youth or young adults
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Must hold current advanced medical certification (WFR or higher) with CPR/AED, or be willing to receive cert. prior to start date
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Ability to effectively manage all aspects of crew life and production within a 40-50-hour work week
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Flexibility, adaptability, and capacity to work in a fluid, changing work environment
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Willingness to learn and be a part of a dynamic community of peer leaders
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Must be adaptive, patient, and able to maintain a positive perspective throughout
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Able to work long days in adverse conditions
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Must be able to speak, understand and write English
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High School diploma or GED certificate
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Must be 21 years old
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Exhibits the ability to effectively work on diverse teams or with a variety of populations, including those underrepresented at our organization and those of BIPOC communities
Preferred Qualifications or a Strong Desire to Grow in the Following:
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Experience with experiential and/or environmental education
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Experience with backpacking, wilderness living and travel
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Facilitation and team-building experience with diverse groups of people
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Time-management skills and ability to work independently as well as with others
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Strong conflict resolution skills
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Technical trails, Crosscut or Chainsaw experience
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Sense of humor, spirit of adventure, and desire to make a positive difference and promote leadership in others
Other Considerations:
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Having a vehicle or access to a vehicle is important for this position to transport yourself between your living situation & our work base; The Old Fort Lewis in Hesperus, CO
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Ability to live, work and camp in rural Colorado. Weather can be extreme and variable throughout the year
Any questions can be addressed to:
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 reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.