Position Title: Winter Conservation Crew Member– AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Southwest Conservation Corps
701 E Rainbow Blvd. Salida, CO 81201
Volunteer Orientation Dates: January 7th and 8th, 2027
AmeriCorps Term Dates: January 11, 2027 – March 26, 2027
AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 300 Hours
Southwest Conservation Corps
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 services. SCC programs aim to empower individuals to positively impact their lives, their communities, and the environment. The SCC-LV office is in Salida, Colorado with satellite operations in Alamosa, CO and serves the Arkansas River Valley and the San Luis Valley: the two valleys, or Los Valles.
As an AmeriCorps program participant with Southwest Conservation Corps, your office is the great outdoors! Our Winter Conservation Crew will consist of seven AmeriCorps members (ages 18 – 30) and two (21+) Crew leaders. You will serve for five days at a time in front country locations (access to your crew vehicle) in winter weather conditions. The crew will have two days off each week. As wildfires become more common across the American west, Southwest Conservation Corps’ Winter Conservation Crew provides the opportunity to engage in wildfire mitigation and prevention projects within Chaffee County.
To join this crew, members are expected to have an active Basic First Aid (BFA) or Wilderness First Aid (WFA), an A-Faller chainsaw certification, and an Incident Qualification Card (“red card”) or be willing to obtain these certifications prior to participating in projects, to be able to assist with controlled burn operations. Opportunities for obtaining these qualifications can be provided at a discounted rate for members upon request.
Projects will focus on hazardous fuels reduction in the wildland urban interface including ditch clearing and burning, felling, limbing, bucking, piling and chipping hazardous fuels, all for the purpose of reducing wildfire risks for local communities. Projects may also include trail construction and maintenance, habitat improvement, re-vegetation, weeding, fencing, facility maintenance, and local environmental service projects. Participants may also have the opportunity to serve on a disaster relief crew.
This crew will serve Monday – Thursday (9 hour days) and Fridays (4 hour days), followed by two days off. There is a possibility that the crew's schedule shifts due to unforeseen circumstances, such as weather conditions or project delays, etc. SCC requires that all AmeriCorps crew members demonstrate flexibility in scheduling. During all project time, meals will be prepared and shared as a crew in a community space.
Our Winter Conservation Crew will have housing available at a reduced cost for members and leaders for the duration of the program. During project weeks, crews may camp at shelters or other lodging accommodations or may return to their designated housing location in Salida each night.
In this AmeriCorps position, you will:
To qualify for this AmeriCorps position, you must:
- Hold an active A-Faller chainsaw certification or be willing to obtain this certification prior to start date.
- Hold an active Wildland Fire “Red-Card” or Incident Qualification Card or be willing to obtain this certification prior to start date.
Participant and Expedition Behavior
Risk Management and Judgement
Environmental Ethics & Outdoor Skills
Substance Free
In accordance with a drug free program, alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in AmeriCorps and SCC activities, including while at arranged housing and while on organization property. Additionally, SCC has a strict tobacco policy where we do not allow smoking in/on our property, in vehicles, or while in uniform.
Typically, this position is expected to serve 5 days on and 2 days off, but exact service schedules may vary. A half hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service.
Members may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.
Orientation and Training:
Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $1,565.08 is available upon successful completion of service term, including being present at all hitch weeks. High school diploma or equivalent required in order to use Education Award after term of service.
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 all assignments, and if the member has met other performance criteria that were clearly communicated at the beginning of the term of service including being present for all hitch weeks.
Reporting requirements include, but are not limited to, bi-weekly timesheets and accomplishment tracking.
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 Vanessa Morrison at vmorrison@conservationlegacy.org.
Interested candidates are encouraged to apply on our website. Interviews will be conducted in person during the week of November 2nd, 2026 in Salida, CO.
Supervisor(s) Name and Contact Information:
Nate Haley, SCC Los Valles (Salida) Program Coordinator:
Hannah Rousseau, SCC Los Valles (Salida) Program Coordinator:
Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity organization, 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, 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 protected characteristic under applicable law, such as military status, familial status, and political affiliation.
