SCC FC - Adult Crew Leader

Title: Adult Crew Leader   

Reports to: Adult Program Coordinator  

Locations: Durango, CO   

Status: Seasonal, Full-time, Camping Program   

Dates: March 25th, 2024 – November 15th, 2024 

Wages: $720-800/week DOE, DOQ   

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, Restorative Justice Approach Training, QPR Suicide Prevention Training, and other development opportunities.  

Housing: SCC-Durango will be securing a camping location for leaders and CLDPs during the spring season. Other options, including host-housing, will be reviewed in the interview process.   

Multiple positions opened. Application closes January 5th, 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 10 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 with some exceptions. 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 member development, and administrative duties. 

We will be running the following crews during the 2024 season, please be ready to speak to your preferences and how you will support them during your interview:  

• 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  
• 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)  
• Crosscut Crew – Crew works in remote Wilderness areas, clearing down trees from trails with a two-person crosscut saw  

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”.  The Womens+ and Queer Affinity Crews seek to create a safe, non-judgmental, and 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). 

• Women’s+ Crew – An affinity crew for Women (both trans + cis) and Non-Binary individuals 
• Queer Crew – An affinity crew for LGBTQAI2S+ individuals   

Responsibilities:   

Leadership & Mentorship   

• Integrate values pertaining to DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) within the corps   
• Implement skills training on worksite and facilitate intentional discussions via informal lessons to contribute to the crew’s personal growth and group dynamics   
• Promote individual corps member development and a healthy community   
• Mentor and delegate responsibilities and member development to the CLDP   
• 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   

• 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   
• Think critically to resolve issues and solve problems   
• Communicate effectively & coordinate logistics with project partners, CLDP, & SCC staff   

Safety & Risk Management   

• Monitor, manage, and promote the crew’s physical and emotional safety   
• Exhibit strong situational awareness & promote a culture of safety   
• Transport crew and equipment safely in SCC’s vans or large SUVs with trailers   

Administration   

• 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   
• Manage food budget and credit card for purchases