Position Title: Summer Field Crew Member - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Conservation Corps New Mexico
Site Location: Conservation Corps New Mexico Program Office - 560 N 17th Street, Las Cruces NM
Terms of Service:
- Start Date: 06/22/2026
- End Date: 08/21/2026
- AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 300-hour
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.
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
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:
- Typically, this position is expected to serve Tuesday to Tuesday, 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, Wilderness First Aid, and other trainings as needed for project work.
Benefits:
- Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $1565.08
- Living Allowance of $480 per week.
- Additional Benefit of $120 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.
