Position Title: Recreation Special Uses - Outfitter Guide Program Individual Placement – AmeriCorps (2 Openings)
Updated description of duties and qualifications 4/16/26
If you have an interest in outdoor recreation, customer service, and GIS, please apply!
Conservation Legacy Program: Conservation Corps New Mexico
Site Location: Santa Fe National Forest
11 Forest Lane
Santa Fe, NM 87508
Terms of Service:
- Start Date: 6/1/26
- End Date: 5/28/27
- AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 1700 Hours
RESUME AND COVER LETTER REQUIRED FOR CONSIDERATION
Purpose:
AmeriCorps is the federal agency for national service and volunteerism. AmeriCorps provides opportunities for Americans of all backgrounds to serve their country, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, and improve lives and communities. Environmental stewardship programs help conserve natural habitats, improve energy efficiency, and protect clean air and water among other environmental efforts.
Conservation Corps New Mexico (CCNM)
As part of Conservation Legacy and an AmeriCorps program, CCNM aims to continue the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930's. CCNM is focused on connecting youth, young adults, and recent era military veterans with conservation service projects on public lands. CCNM operates programs across southern New Mexico and western Texas that engage individuals and strengthen communities through service and conservation. The CCNM Las Cruces office manages the Individual Placement Program.
Mentorship
These Individual Placements are unique development AmeriCorps positions. Participants are paired with a local supervisor and gain technical, hands-on experience in the work of these organizations or agencies. Site supervisors commit to facilitate career development; introduce participants to numerous pathways within the conservation field; create meaningful learning opportunities; and provide technical, hands-on experience in the work of these organizations or agencies.
The U.S. Forest Service - Santa Fe National Forest - Special Uses Program gives private entities and citizens the opportunity to utilize Forest Service lands for permitted activities, including Outfitting and Guiding permits for local small businesses and in holding Recreation Residences, which provide permitted cabins to permitted holders, across the Forest.
The Santa Fe National Forest has limited capacity and expertise to administer the Special Uses Program and there is a pressing need for streamlined, efficient, and consistent permitting administration.
The Special Uses Program interfaces with numerous tracks and disciplines on the National Forest scale providing Individual Placements opportunities to learn about disciplines such as Heritage & Archaeology, Biology, Lands, Hydrology, Range, NEPA & Planning, Public Affairs, and others. Individual Placements will also interface heavily with the district-level programs.
Description of Duties:
- Assist the Santa Fe National Forest Recreation Program Manager with understanding program needs, helping identify priorities, and supporting ongoing projects.
- Help develop simple tools to improve Special Uses workflows and assist with routine administrative tasks.
- Update Special Uses permit information in agency databases. All training for these systems will be provided.
- Help create presentations to share with staff and leadership, with guidance and support from your supervisor.
- Assist with writing reports and participating in field surveys to support program administration and regulatory requirements. Training will be provided for all field and reporting tasks.
- Work individually or with a team to help review itineraries for Outfitter-Guides and other Special Uses permit holders.
- Assist with in-field monitoring for permits.
- Conduct spot checks in the field to help verify permit activities. All field protocols will be taught.
- Enter and validate data in the USFS NRM Special Uses national database. No previous database experience is required.
- Learn to prepare Special Uses reports and billing statements for a variety of permitted activities.
- Use Field Maps and ArcPro to collect field data, create maps, and upload information into agency systems. Training in all mapping and GIS tools will be provided.
Conditions: Fieldwork may include hiking on uneven or steep terrain, working at high elevations, carrying a backpack, and interacting with the public. Work may involve challenging weather, insects, wildlife encounters, and on- or off-road driving.
Qualifications:
- United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien.
- At least 18 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.
- Valid U.S Driver’s License - Drivers must be over 21 or have had a license for at least 3 years
- Experience with computers, databases, and data entry.
- Excellent writing skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Interest in Recreation Management, natural resources, or related fields.
- Some experience in customer service or interacting with the public.
- Interest in outdoor recreation and working in natural environments.
- Knowledge of Special Uses or GIS is helpful but not required; all necessary training will be provided.
Physical Requirements:
- To successfully perform essential functions, the individual is required to sit, stand, walk, speak, hear, etc. May be required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl for significant periods of time and be able to safely lift 50 pounds on a routine basis. He/she must be able to operate office equipment, telephone, and computer and reach with hands and arms.
- Ability to hike and navigate in rough terrain.
- Reasonable accommodation may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
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.
- Contribute to a safe learning environment, no harassment of others for any reason.
- Willingness and ability to complete all aspects of the program including conservation projects, education, training, and national service.
- Effectively communicate ideas and concerns as they arise directly to supervisors, colleagues, and organization staff.
- Appropriately represent Conservation Corps New Mexico, the Forest Service and AmeriCorps to the public and partners at all times.
- Flexibility, adaptability, and capacity to work in a fluid, changing work environment.
Safety and Judgment:
- Effectively communicate danger to others in the form of either a warning of danger others may be encountering or a notification of personal distress, injury or need for assistance. Must be able to do so at a distance of up to 50 meters and in conditions with limited visibility or loud background noise such as darkness or high winds.
- Effectively perceive and understand significant and apparent hazards and follow direction by others so that you will be able to successfully execute techniques to manage hazards. These directions may be given before the hazard is encountered or may need to be given during the exposure to the hazard. Ability to respond appropriately to stress or crises.
- Stay alert and focused for several hours at a time while traveling and working in varied weather conditions.
- If taking prescription medications, participants must be able to maintain proper dosage by self- medicating without assistance from others.
Substance Free:
In accordance with a drug free workplace, alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in AmeriCorps and program activities and while on organization property.
Participants will have access to government facilities and systems, and will be supplied with access to gov’t vehicles, equipment, and materials needed to work on the projects and activities as outlined above. Participants must adhere to all government regulations and policies for operating equipment, vehicles, security awareness, and safety.
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 Monday to Friday, 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 from CCNM that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
- Natural Resource Manager database management and permit compilation.
- ArcPro relevant to project.
- Report compilation and development.
- State Game & Fish database.
Benefits:
- Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $7,395.
- Living Allowance of $700 per week.
- Additional Benefit of $300 per week.
- Housing available – more information will be provided during the interview.
- Healthcare Coverage.
- 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:
Program Coordinator Contact information:
SamJean Simmons
ssimmons@conservationlegacy.org
Consideration will be given as applications are received, and this position may close at any time.
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.