Position Title: Youth Crew Member
Location: Chaffee, Saguache, Rio Grande, Alamosa, Conejos, or Costilla County
Session 1:

· Start Date: 06/01/2026

· End Date: 06/25/2026

Session 2:

· Start Date: 07/06/2026

· End Date: 07/30/2026

Purpose:

Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC) is a 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.

The SCC Los Valles (SCCLV) office is located on the ancestral lands of the Ute people, who continue to survive and thrive on these lands today. The SCCLV office is in Salida, CO with satellite operations in Alamosa, CO. SCCLV serves the Upper Arkansas River Valley and the San Luis Valley: the two valleys, or los valles. The Los Valles Youth Program engages high school youth, ages 15-18, to complete impactful conservation projects in the communities they reside in. We currently serve Chaffee, Saguache, Alamosa, Conejos, and Costilla counties.

Position Summary:

Crews are run county by county and complete a variety of local conservation and service projects. Members must reside in the county to serve on the specific county crew. The typical schedule is four days on followed by three days off. Depending on proximity to the work site, crews either return to town each day, or camp at the project site (we refer to this as a “hitch”) for its duration. The day starts with a stretch circle and safety meeting, includes two fifteen-minute breaks and a half hour break for lunch. The opportunity is available to participate in Session 1 (June 1 - June 25), Session 2 (July 6 - July 30) or work in both sessions, pending availability.

Description of Duties

· Perform strenuous physical tasks related to environmental conservation and restoration projects.

· Serve outdoors in all types of weather and successfully adapt to various climates.

· Effectively learn and apply new environmental conservation and restoration skills.

· Actively participate in environmental education activities.

· Practice appropriate safety procedures in all tasks assigned.

· Use, maintain, and repair hand tools as necessary.

Responsibilities:
Participant and Hitch Behavior

· Serve effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions.

· Willingness and ability to complete all aspects of the program.

· Wear PPE at all times during workday

· Contribute to a safe learning environment, no harassment of any kind.

· Appropriately represent SCC to the public and project partners.

Risk Management and Judgement

· Follow directions by others so that you can successfully manage hazards.

· Ask clarifying question when you do not understand a task.

· Maintain focus during workday, both while traveling and serving in varied weather conditions.

· If taking prescription medications, participants must be able to maintain proper dosage.

Environmental Ethics & Outdoor Skills

· Learn and safely perform fundamental outdoor living and skills as appropriate to the project.

· Learn and adhere to LNT principles.

Substance Free

· Alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in SCC activities, and while on organization property.

Qualifications:

· Applicants must be currently enrolled in high school AND be between 15 – 18 years old.

· Applicants 18 and older must be able to pass a criminal history background check.

Benefits

· $15.16/hour, paid biweekly.

• Food, uniforms, and personal protective equipment provided while in the field.

Physical Requirements:

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.

Supervisor Name and Contact Information:

Hannah Rousseau | Program Coordinator
hrousseau@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.