Position Title: Conservation Crew Leader Development Program (CLDP) – (Leading crews of young adults, aged 18-30)– AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Southwest Conservation Corps, Four Corners

Site Location: Durango, CO

Terms of Service:

• Start Date: 04/06/2026
• End Date: 11/06/2026 *potential option to end 08/07/2026
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 1200 Hours

Multiple positions available. Application closes December 31^st, 2025.

Purpose:

Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC) is an AmeriCorps program of the non-profit service organization, Conservation Legacy. 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.

Description of Duties:

The CLDP position is an opportunity to make a difference in young peoples’ lives while completing conservation projects. CLDPs will be mentors, educators, and facilitators for young adults, working to promote the health and resiliency of our land, air, and water.

The AmeriCorps Crew Leader Development Program (CLDP) is a two-phase program. The first phase focuses on orientation, training, and development, the second phase focuses on implementation and continued leadership development. The AmeriCorps CLDP will spend 7 weeks in a crew leader training period alongside fellow CLDPs, Crew Leaders 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. In late May, CLDPs will be paired with an experienced Crew Leader where they will work together to lead a crew of young adults for the Summer and Fall Season. Crews consist of 6-7 members, 1 Crew Leader and 1 CLDP. Crews work in front and backcountry locations in all weather conditions. On-hitch, crews camp together, prepare all meals together, and work together as a group to complete all projects and chores.

CLDPs, along with Crew Leaders, are responsible for ensuring the physical safety and emotional well-being of their crew. The intention of the CLDP/Crew Leader pairing is to aid in the leadership development of the CLDP. Over the course of the season, the CLDP will gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence necessary to take on full Crew Leader responsibilities. CLDP’s may assist the Crew Leader with project management, creating and implementing development and educational opportunities, and completing required hitch paperwork. However, those duties are ultimately the responsibility of the Crew Leader.

Examples of crews we may be running during the 2026 season are listed below. All CLDPs 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:

• 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 downed trees from trails with a two-person crosscut saw
• Wilderness Restoration Crew – Crew works in a remote Wilderness area restoring areas of the landscape that have been impacted by over-use of visitors

Minimum Qualifications:

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident
• At least 17 years of age
• Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of elementary or secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant, and agrees to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.

General Qualifications:

• Professionalism: Members must be willing to follow and enforce all SCC policies, maintain professional boundaries, communicate effectively with partners, crew leaders, members, peers and SCC staff, and appropriately represent Southwest Conservation Corps and AmeriCorps. (This includes creating a substance free work environment, refraining from the use of tobacco products, alcohol, and drugs while on "hitch")
• Adaptability: Projects have a degree of uncertainty and will include variable living conditions and last-minute changes. Members must be adaptive, patient, and able to maintain a positive perspective throughout
• Leadership: Experience, or a strong desire to lead and mentor a diverse group of young adults. Ability to manage and participate in day-to-day details of crew life. Ability to listen, willingness to receive feedback, and desire to grow continually
• Community Building: Strong desire to help others grow as individuals while building cohesiveness in a group setting. CLDP Members must be willing to work hard, listen and respect others' viewpoints, embrace diversity, be committed to equity, and inclusive of differing backgrounds.
• Environmental Stewardship: Members must have a genuine enjoyment and desire for caring for the land while living and working outdoors in a variety of conditions
• Fitness: SCC projects are physically demanding! 10-hour long workdays consist of hiking, backpacking, heavy lifting, and repetitive motions using tools. Projects often take place at elevation – above 8,500’ – and in variable weather conditions.
• Conservation: Experience or a desire to learn the technical skills needed to effectively maintain public lands
• Corps Member Development: Experience or strong desire to learn and participate as an outdoor educator and mentor
• Driving: CLDP Members are responsible for driving 8-12-passenger vehicles while pulling a trailer. In order to drive, members must be 21, have a clean driving record (insurable) and a current driver's license
• Education: At a minimum, CLDP members must be high school graduates, GED recipients, working toward attaining a high school diploma or GED during their term of service.

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.

Time Requirements:

• Typically, this position is expected to serve a schedule of 8-days on and 6-days off, or 4-days on and 3-days off, but exact service schedules may vary. A half hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service
• Member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.

Orientation and Training:

• Member will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
• U.S. Forest Service Chainsaw training, Technical Trails Training, Mental Health Training, Leadership training, and potential for Crosscut Training & Backcountry Training.

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $5,176.50
• Living Allowance of $485per week.
• Additional Benefit of $200 per week.
• Healthcare Coverage if Eligible
• Childcare Coverage if Eligible
• Loan forbearance if Eligible
• Interest Payments if Eligible

Additional Benefits: Paid time off between summer and fall sessions, Food provided while in the field, uniforms, protective equipment, access to Mental Health Consultant and Employee Assistance Program.
Housing: SCC-Durango will be securing a camping location for leaders and CLDPs during the spring season. Other options, include; host-housing, and partnership with a local Hostel. Options will be reviewed in the interview process.
*Wilderness Medicine: CLDP members are provided with Wilderness First Responder/CPR/AED training. There will be a WFR course available in Durango in March (dates TBD) through Desert Mountain Medicine. Other acceptable WFR Courses and Re-certification Courses can be reimbursed (up to $650) but must be taken prior to the start of the season.

Evaluation and Reporting:

As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of hours, the member has satisfactorily completed assignments, and if the member has met other performance criteria that were clearly communicated at the beginning of the term of service.

Reporting requirements include, but are not limited to, bi-weekly timesheets and accomplishment tracking.

Other Considerations:

• 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.
• Ability to live, work and camp in rural Colorado. Weather can be extreme and variable throughout the spring and summer season

Any questions can be addressed to:

Kristen Barrett: Adult Program Manager
(970) 903-9551 kbarrett@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.