Title: 2026 Spring Tucson Crew Leader

Reports to: Dusty Miller, Program Director

Location/s: AZCC Tucson Office

1443 W Prince Rd.

Tucson, AZ 85705

Status: Seasonal, Full-time, Camping Program

Dates: 02/09/2026 or 02/10/2026 to 05/26/2026

Wages: $925-1125/week, depending on prior experience and certifications. During the initial training weeks, the pay will be $750/week.

Benefits: Health benefits eligible. Employee Assistance Program provided. Food provided while in the field. Uniforms and personal protective equipment also provided.

Training: The term begins with an intensive leadership training focused on practicing outdoor leadership skills, goal setting, technical and field skills, and understanding AZCC procedures/policies. Leads will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities. Following leadership training, Corpsmembers will join leaders for orientation. This week-long orientation will include trainings such as Wilderness First Aid, Leave No Trace, outdoor living, crew culture, and goal setting. Depending on project needs, crews may receive instruction in herbicide, crosscut saw, chainsaw, or other specialized equipment use. Informal training will continue throughout the term in areas such as tool maintenance, plant identification, and overview of public land management agencies. raining for this position will take place during the season as needed, and may include trail maintenance, chainsaw, herbicide, Wilderness First Aid, or other topics. Because this position will start directly into project work, there will be limited training at the beginning of the season. Previous conservation work experience is recommended for this position.

Housing:

AZCC is an independent, non-residential program – we do not provide housing. It is advised that all members supply their own outdoor gear and equipment such as a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, day pack, multi-day pack, work pants, hiking/work boots, etc. because rental supplies are limited and given out on a first-come first-served basis. A suggested gear list will be provided before starting the term of service. AZCC will provide the tools, personal protective gear, crew meal budget, and project transportation. Additionally, AZCC has Pro Deals opportunities to receive discounts on some outdoor gear brands.

Application closes November 23, 2026.

Position Summary:

The Crew Leader II 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.

The standard schedule generally consists of a two-week hitch cycle with 8 days in the field as a crew and 6 days off, with some exceptions for irregular program needs. Crew Leaders are required to come in for an additional day each hitch cycle to complete administrative duties and check-ins with program staff, typically the day after returning from the project (Wednesday, the Ninth Day). While out on hitch, crews camp, prepare all meals, complete project work, and do chores together as a team. Because of the nature of this work schedule, time off will not be permitted during hitches, and program participants are expected to plan accordingly.

The Crew Leader position requires patience, a consistently positive mental attitude, mentorship, technical aptitude, focus on efficiency, and a high level of competence in the outdoors. There is also a significant administrative component to this position, as the Leader is responsible for approving timesheets, managing crew budget and receipts, and submitting timely Post-Hitch Accomplishments, just to name a few. Finally, crew leaders must exhibit the ability to effectively work on teams with people from a variety of populations and communities.

Responsibilities:

Leadership & Mentorship

• Mentor assistant crew leader (or Crew Leader in Development Program CLDP): provide valuable feedback, give opportunities for growth, delegate responsibilities, and encourage technical and leadership skill development.

• 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 safe, healthy, cohesive, other-centered and team-oriented community.

• Follow and enforce all policies, maintain professional boundaries, and appropriately represent the program. 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 tasks and objectives outlined in conservation projects, while working long hours and managing high quality of work and crew morale.

• Think critically to resolve issues and solve problems, requesting assistance or help when needed.

• Communicate and coordinate logistics with project partners, Assistant Crew Leader, and staff.

Safety & Risk Management

• Monitor, manage, and promote the holistic health of the crew, including physical and emotional (intimidation free community environment) safety.

• Exhibit strong situational awareness & promote a culture of safety.

• Transport crew and equipment safely in organizational vans or large SUVs with trailers in accordance with CL Driver policy.

• Manage and document incidents in the field and activate incident response system, if needed, per Conservation Legacy policy.

Administration

• Thorough documentation of crew hours, accomplishments, disciplinary actions taken, and incident response according to Conservation Legacy policy and procedure

• Manage food budget and credit card for purchases.

• Track and submit credit card receipts for all expenses every month.

Camp Management

• Oversee, manage, and assign camp chores (or camp tasks).

• Monitor and manage crew community needs in camp.

• Instruct crew in how to create a safe, hygienic, and tidy camp environment while mitigating crew caused impacts to campsites, practicing minimum impact camping techniques.

• Maintain all program policies and procedures in camp environment.

• Leading a camping crew is an intensive commitment requiring a continuous physical presence. Leaders must remain physically present, and cognitively and emotionally available to support community and individual crew member needs.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Full commitment to the program and its mission.

• Understanding of and experience with the mission and field management considerations of conservation corps and public land agencies.

• Leadership, management, and supervisory experience with youth or young adults.

• Must hold current advanced medical certification (for backcountry crews: 80 hours Wilderness First Responder with CPR/AED or higher; for front country crews: 24 hours Wilderness First Aid with CPR/AED or higher) or be willing to receive certification prior to start date.

• Ability to effectively manage all aspects of crew life and production within a 40-50+-hour work week including managing projects, camping, and programmatic policies and integrity throughout.

• Flexibility, adaptability, and capacity to work in a fluid, changing work environment.

• Willingness to participate in community-building activities and solution-oriented problem solving with peer leaders.

• Able to work long days in adverse conditions.

• Must be able to speak, understand and write English.

• High School diploma or GED certificate.

• Must over the age of 21 or have possessed a driver’s license for 3 or years more without any restrictions (to pass minimum insurability requirements for crew transport driving duties).

Preferred Qualifications or a Strong Desire to Grow in the Following:

• Experience with experiential and/or environmental education.

• Experience with backpacking, wilderness living and travel.

• Facilitation and team-building experience with diverse groups of people.

• Time-management skills and ability to work independently as well as with others.

• Strong conflict resolution skills.

• Technical trails, Crosscut or Chainsaw experience.

• Sense of humor, spirit of adventure, and desire to make a positive difference and promote leadership in others.

• Familiarity working in Indigenous communities

Our Commitment

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential functions. Some positions may require periodic overnight travel, non-traditional hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. 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.

Any questions can be addressed to:

Dusty Miller

Program Director (Tucson)

dmiller@conservationlegacy.org

Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, 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 accommodations due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.