Title: Ecological Monitoring AIM Team Leader

Reports to: Hayden Prouty, Sr. Program Director

Location/s: AZCC Flagstaff Office

2500 N Rose St.

Flagstaff, AZ 86004

Status: Seasonal, Full-time, Camping Program

Dates: 03/09/2026 to 05/26/2026

Wages: $900 week

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

· Hiring Benefits: Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: a noncompetitive hiring status for consideration when applying to competitive service positions for a federal agency. Eligible to be used for two years upon completion of term. Must be under age 31 upon issue of certificate.

Training: The term begins with 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. Following AZCC Crew training the crew will attend:

BLM Terrestrial AIM Data collection training in Cedar City, UT.

Virtual: Apr 2 (Thu) & Apr 3 (Fri)

In–person: Apr 7 (Tue) thru Apr 10 (Fri)

Informal training will continue throughout the term in areas such as tool maintenance, plant identification, and overview of public land management agencies.

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: February 16^th 2026

Position Summary:

Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) Crew Overview

AIM Crews are specialized teams dedicated to rangeland monitoring utilizing the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) Terrestrial AIM protocols throughout their term. These crews typically operate on an 8-day on-hitch schedule—working in the field as a unit—followed by 6 days off. Exceptions to this schedule may occur. Crew Leaders may be required to report for an additional day during each hitch cycle to complete administrative tasks and check-ins with program staff.

Crew Dynamics and Leadership

While on hitch, crew members camp together, prepare all meals collectively, and collaborate to complete assigned projects and chores. The Crew Leader role demands patience, a consistently positive attitude, mentorship capabilities, technical proficiency, and a strong focus on efficiency. Leaders must also demonstrate high competence in outdoor settings and fulfill administrative responsibilities, including timely submission of weekly paperwork to supervisors. Effective teamwork and the ability to work with diverse groups are essential qualities for this position.

Training and Field Season Structure

Crew leaders start one week prior to their crew with AZCC Leadership Training. The AIM Crew members will then join for an introduction to AZCC culture and field strategies followed by a week of technical training from the BLM. Crews will start at the AZCC Flagstaff Field Office in week one and travel to the BLM Cedar City Field Office for week two. After training, crews will be based AZCC Flagstaff Field Office and follow a set routine, aiming to sample plots using the AIM methodology throughout northwest Arizona.

Data Collection and Botanical Work

Within each plot, crews identify vegetation to the species level, collect species cover and composition data using line-point intercept and gap measurements, measure soil stability, and describe the site and soil pits. All collected data are georeferenced and stored in an ArcGIS geodatabase. Data entry occurs on-site using ruggedized tablets, and the information is later synthesized into reports for future land management planning. Crews also maintain and track botanical specimens of both known and unknown species throughout the season, updating records as necessary, and continuously expanding their knowledge of local flora.

Mentorship and Agency Relationships

Crew participants are expected to be motivated by a curiosity for soil, botanical, and other natural systems. Crews are based out of BLM Field Office buildings and operate under the direct mentorship and technical guidance of BLM staff and contractors, as well as remote administrative supervision from Southwest Conservation Corps. This position provides a unique opportunity to build relationships within the agency and gain familiarity with its operations.

Fieldwork Details and Logistics

Fieldwork is conducted from April through June across the Arizona Strip region, primarily in remote areas. Crews drive company or government vehicles to various Field Office locations and hike several miles per day off-trail, carrying equipment approximately 25% of the time during a hitch. Workdays are typically 10 hours long, with schedules of either 8 days on/6 days off or 4 days on/3 days off. Camping for several nights is common, and crews share camp meals and responsibilities. Members are responsible for their own housing, transportation, and food between camping trips. Success in this role requires adaptability and a willingness to embrace an unconventional schedule.

Office Responsibilities and Housing

After fieldwork, crews return to the office for equipment and data management, identification of unknown plants, and planning activities, which account for approximately 20% of their duties. Housing is not provided; however, some BLM Field Offices may offer limited, partially subsidized housing or domicile parking. Gear loans may be available for those lacking personal camping equipment, and options can be discussed during the interview process.

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 & coordinate logistics with project partners, Assistant Crew Leader (or Crew Leader in Development), & 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.
• College coursework (2 years, at minimum) in ecology, botany, plant ecology, plant biology, plant systematics, soils science, geology, horticulture, natural resource management, environmental science, or a related field;
• OR previous college- or professional-level experience in the above fields, plus familiarity with data collection and sound science principles
• 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 be 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).
• Comfortable being uncomfortable.
• Organized & process oriented.
• Any plant/flora field ID

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 varied 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.
• Experience doing tedious work in extreme heat.
• Very organized & very process oriented.
• Northern AZ plant/flora field ID
• Any soils field experience

Our Commitment:

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full consideration of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential job functions. Physical requirements may include periodic overnight travel, non-traditional work 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. The ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. 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.

Any questions can be addressed to:

Samnatha Forster: AZCC Program Coordinator - sfoster@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.