Position Title: Backcountry Trail Crew Member - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Conservation Corps New Mexico

Site Location: Program Office - Conservation Corps New Mexico: 560 N 17th Street, Las Cruces, NM 88005

Terms of Service:

• Start Date: 06/01/2026
• End Date: 10/30/2026
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 675-hr

Purpose:

Conservation Corps New Mexico (CCNM): Conservation Corps New Mexico, an AmeriCorps Program, aims to continue the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930s. CCNM crews are typically based in Las Cruces, NM and all project work will take place on public lands in New Mexico and surrounding states.

• This is an AmeriCorps position aiming to engage future leaders who protect, restore, and enhance our public lands through community-based service.
• You’ll learn new skills, but it will take sweat: this program is designed to be rigorous. You will complete conservation service projects and learn many skills through experience. Service as an AmeriCorps member is an introduction to a new and exciting lifestyle - over the course of the season you will live, learn, train, and work to protect and preserve America’s public lands.

Description of Duties:

Crew Models
CCNM's Field Crew program engages motivated young adults, ages 18-30 (35 for veterans), to complete challenging and impactful conservation service projects throughout southern New Mexico and surrounding states. Crews work with a variety of land management agencies, spending up to 8 days in the field camping. Projects can be front country or backcountry, with limited to no access to showers and running-water toilets. Backcountry projects involve carrying out all personal supplies (tent, sleeping bag, clothing) as well as group camp supplies (food, water, gear, tools) to the campsite and worksite.

Black Fire Recovery Effort:

This crew will be dedicated to working in the Black Fire burn scar; rehabilitating, restabilizing, and re-opening trails. The Black Fire burned over 100,000 acres in the Gila National Forest in 2022, mainly in the Aldo Leopold Wilderness. Trails in the area were in poor condition and often barely navigable before the fire. These trails are very rugged. Incredibly steep in places, generally overgrown with thorny rose and locust, and often lacking reliable water sources for miles. The goal of this project is to open the trails up to safe foot traffic and pack stock use while mitigating future erosion. This could include corridor clearing, tread reconstruction and maintenance, building rock retaining walls and/or check dams, and constructing and clearing drainage features.

Due to the remote, isolated location of this project, the crew will stay in the field for 6 weeks at a time. During that time, members should expect to have limited communication with people outside of the program - cell service is unavailable at most backcountry sites. Crew leaders will have access to Garmin inReach devices for emergencies and communication with CCNM staff. During the time at the backcountry site, members will not have access to developed amenities (showers, laundry machines, flush toilets, beds, etc.). Personal hygiene will be maintained through the use of solar showers and hand-crank laundry devices. Shared camp gear (stoves, pots/pans, water jugs) and food will be provided while in the backcountry.

Because of the lack of available water in the trail network, pack stock will be used to bring water into base camp locations. Occasionally the stock may help bring in food, tools, or equipment, but generally you should be prepared to carry all your own food, gear and tools into the worksite and at the end of the hitch – this may mean carrying a pack that weighs 60-80 pounds. The average base camp will be 7-10 miles into the backcountry. You may also be asked to help carry empty water jugs back to the trailhead. Because you will be working in proximity to pack animals, you will be provided training on proper safety and etiquette around pack animals.

Responsibilities of a CCNM Corpsmember:

• CCNM field crews operate on a set schedule throughout their season. Adherence to this schedule is essential to the success of the program; exceptions can be made for emergencies.
• Members can expect to work long days and must successfully adapt to various climates and working conditions. Workdays will contain strenuous labor in remote settings and varying weather conditions.
• While serving a term of National Service, CCNM crews are expected to work in team settings. Respect for all members of the program, our partners, the public and the land they are visiting is required.
• CCNM expects all members to represent the program in a professional manner at all times. Crew life will include our values of challenge, stewardship, dedication, community, and integrity.
• Members are expected to be timely, hardworking, flexible, and complete all functions of the tasks assigned, including challenging physical labor and hiking several miles to remote locations under adverse weather conditions.

Expectations

Participation and Expedition Behavior:

• Work effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions. This may require problem solving on an interpersonal or group level as well as a willingness to accept differences.
• Crew members with CCNM will serve on a crew with 4 crew members and 2 crew leaders who provide project expertise, mentorship, training, and support for the success of all participants. Food is provided while in the field. Crews work together to plan meals and complete all necessary chores (cooking, washing dishes, etc.). Most dietary restrictions can be accommodated if known ahead of time.
• Contribute to a safe learning environment: no harassment of others for any reason.
• Members must commit to participating in all crew/team activities, including evening chores, check-ins, and service days in local communities.
• Effectively communicate concerns as they arise directly to supervisors and organization staff.
• Have the cognitive ability to learn necessary skills and apply them.
• Always represent the program and AmeriCorps to the public and project partners in an appropriate and professional manner.
• Crew members are asked to work hard, stay positive, and be flexible with changing schedules, weather conditions, and project needs. This is a seasonal position; crew members are expected to fully commit to the experience, expectations, and timeline.

Qualifications:

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
• 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
• Flexibility, adaptability and capacity to work in a changing environment including willingness to work a varying schedule
• No previous experience is required, but a general comfort and previous knowledge of working/living in an outdoor setting is helpful
• Hiking and backpacking experience for this crew is strongly preferred

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.

Time Requirements:

• This position is an immersive backcountry trail experience. During the season, crews will spend 6 continuous weeks in a backcountry setting, returning to Las Cruces for one week off in between backcountry sessions. Days off while in the field will be incorporated into the schedule.
• Typically, this position is expected to operate on a 10-hour day schedule, 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.

Gear:

• Participants must supply his/her/their own personal outdoor gear and equipment such as a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, day pack, multi-day pack, work pants, hiking/work boots, etc. A suggested gear-list will be provided prior to starting the term of service. CCNM will provide tools, personal protective gear, budget for crew meals and transportation to projects.
• Additionally, CCNM has some gear available to borrow such as tents, sleeping bags, and some backpacking gear.

Housing:

• Housing on days off is not provided. Crew members are responsible for their own housing, food, and transportation when not in the field.

Orientation and Training:

• Member will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
• Crew members who attend the full orientation will receive training on Leave No Trace, Outdoor Living and Nutrition, backcountry living skills, pack animal safety, backcountry communications and navigation, Wilderness First Aid, and crosscut saw training.

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $2817.14
• Living Allowance of $480 per week
• Additional Benefit of $65.45 per week
• Healthcare Coverage if Eligible
• Childcare Coverage if Eligible
• Loan forbearance if Eligible
• Interest Payments if Eligible

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.

Supervisor Name and Contact Information:

Kimberly Chavarria - Crew Program Coordinator

Email: kchavarria@conservationlegacy.org

Phone: (575) 294-4537

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.