Position Title: Conservation Crew Member – AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Southwest Conservation Corps Four Corners
Site Location: Durango, CO
Start Date: 08/24/2026 (Voluntary Non-AC Orientation Week)
AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 300 Hours
Food provided while in the field, uniforms, protective equipment, access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC) is a non-profit, AmeriCorps-affiliated organization, whose mission is to engage future leaders who protect, restore, and enhance our nation’s lands through community-based service. The SCC Adult Program engages motivated young adults, ages 18-30, to complete challenging and impactful conservation and service projects throughout Colorado and Northern New Mexico. SCC operates out of the Four Corners office in Durango, CO, and out of the Los Valles office in Salida, CO.
SCC crews serve in a variety of National Parks, National Forests, and other public areas. Selected members are placed on an 8-person crew which will collaborate to complete projects
As an AmeriCorps program participant with Southwest Conservation Corps, your office is the great outdoors! The Crew Member position is an entry-level role. During your time in the field, you will perform heavy manual labor to complete conservation and restoration projects. Most projects require extensive hiking to remote project sites for the day with tools, equipment, and a day pack. Some projects will require overnight travel into the backcountry. While prior experience outdoors can be helpful, it is not a necessity for this position. We ask that crew members embrace learning opportunities, face challenges, and build community with their crew.
Our Fall Conservation Crews will be based out of Hesperus, CO and will conduct conservation-based service projects throughout the Four Corners Region. This season will begin with a week-long orientation where crew members will camp with their crew and receive training on Wilderness First Aid, Leave No Trace, and SCC policies. Chainsaw crews will spend the following week at Chainsaw Training. The remainder of the season will consist of 4- or 8-day hitches where crews will camp and complete conservation-based service projects as a crew. The types of projects your crew could be serving on include:
Anything associated with Recreation, Conservation, Habitat Restoration, or Cultural Preservation, and beyond
While not expected, it is possible that any SCC crew could be called to respond to a natural disaster. SCC is a part of the AmeriCorps Disaster Response Team (ADRT) and deploys crews on 30-day disaster deployments throughout the country. SCC will do our best to communicate deployments to the crew in advance, but we ask for flexibility and enthusiasm.
Crew Structure: This day crew model consists of 6-7 crew members and 2 crew leaders who will provide project expertise, mentorship, training, and support to ensure the success of all participants.
During a hitch, members serve 10 hours per day, generally from 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Field days include project time as well as shared camp responsibilities. Mornings and evenings are dedicated to communal living, including cooking, cleaning, and maintaining camp.
While this schedule is the standard, flexibility is essential. All AmeriCorps crew members are expected to adapt to changing conditions and support the team as schedules shift.
Food: SCC will provide breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and water each day while on hitch.
Gear: SCC will provide tools, program vehicles for project travel, uniforms, and personal protective equipment. Additionally, we have borrow gear available, free of cost, upon request for the following personal outdoor gear: tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, backpacking pack, day pack, water bottle, work pants, hiking/work boots.
While SCC is required to use certain language to ensure compliance with Federal and other programing, we acknowledge that language can convey negative connotations and our values do not always align with language we are required to use in application and screening materials.
Orientation and Training:
Orientation Week (August 24th-27th) - members will receive training on Wilderness First Aid, Leave No Trace Principles, and SCC Policies and Procedures. Members will also receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps policies, procedures, and prohibited and unallowable activities.
Depending on crew model, members will receive training on chainsaw, herbicide, and use of trail tools.
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.
The ability to serve in rural Colorado is necessary. Weather can be extreme and variable throughout the year.
Supervisor Name and Contact Information:
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 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.
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.