Contact Name: Morgan Brandenburg
Company/Organization/Agency: Southwest Conservation Corps
Address: 701 Camino Del Rio Suite 101, Durango, Colorado 81301 United States
Email Address: mbrandenburg@conservationlegacy.org
Contact Phone: (970) 946-2029
Job Title: Continental Divide Backcountry Trail Crew Member
Job Description: Dates: May 25th – November, 2020
Status: Seasonal, Full-time, Camping Program
Location: Durango, CO
Stipend: $300/week
Ages: 18 – 30
Health Benefits: Not Health Benefit Eligible
Other Benefits: Wilderness First Aid Certification, Food provided while in the field, uniform shirts, personal protective equipment.
AmeriCorps Education Award: $3,047.50 upon completion of program.
About Southwest Conservation Corps
Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC) is a non-profit, AmeriCorps-affiliated organization that engages motivated young adults to complete challenging and impactful conservation and service projects on public lands throughout Colorado and New Mexico. Our programs focus on place-based learning, life skills development, conservation service work, appreciation of diversity, civic responsibility, and career development. SCC also provides an opportunity for corps members to learn about the local environment, environmental issues, and get introductions to recreation and resource management careers.
About the Position
As an AmeriCorps program participant with the Long-Term Conservation Crew you will find yourself traversing remote mountain landscapes, exploring the wilderness, and learning how to function as a cohesive group implementing restoration projects. The expedition style atmosphere allows crews to gain a high level of understanding of crew dynamics, project logistics, and technical knowledge in conservation work.
Each crew consists of 6 members and 2 leaders. Crews work and camp for 8 days at a time in either front-country (access to your crew vehicle and trailer), or backcountry (hiking all your supplies in with backpacks) locations, in all types of weather conditions. You will work effectively as a member of the crew; perform strenuous physical work related to environmental conservation and restoration projects; work 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 and power tools as necessary.
Projects include trail construction & maintenance primarily on the Continental Divide Trail in Colorado. The Continental Divide Backcountry Crew can expect 15 day hitches, in the remote and beautiful wilderness of the San Juan National Forest. You will have days off while in the field to climb peaks, go for hikes, and take in all that the CDT has to offer!
Schedules will vary, but you can expect up to 15 day backcountry hitches (with adequate days off in the field to explore). There is a possibility you could work 8-days on and 6-days off, or a variation of schedules requiring all AmeriCorps crew members to show flexibility. SCC does not provide housing on your off days.
All crews will go through a 5-day volunteer orientation (May 25th – 29th, 2020). This will include a Wilderness First Aid training. Food and space to camp is provided for this training.
Required Skills & Experience
Qualifications:
To qualify, you must be between the ages of 18 and 30
Regularly lift and/or move up to 50 lbs.
A US citizen that has received (or on track to receive) a high school diploma or GED
All offers of employment are conditional upon completion of an acceptable check of the National Sex Offender Public Registry and federal criminal background check.
Participant Essential Eligibility Requirements
Essential eligibility requirements for the program must be met. If you are unable to meet certain requirements, we may be able to assist you with some modification unless it alters the fundamental nature of the program, compromises the health and safety of participants or staff, or places an undue financial or administrative burden on the organization.
Participant and Expedition Behavior
Work effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions
Willingness and ability to complete all aspects of the program
Contribute to a safe learning environment; no harassment of any kind
Appropriately represent SCC and AmeriCorps to the public and project partners at all time
Risk Management and Judgement
Effectively follow direction by others, so that you will be able to successfully manage hazards
Ask clarifying question when you do not understand a task
Maintain focus during workday, both while traveling and working in varied weather conditions.
If taking prescription medications, participants must be able to maintain proper dosage without assistance from others.
Environmental Ethics & Outdoor Skills
Learn and safely perform fundamental outdoor living and work skills as appropriate to the project.
Live in a physically demanding, possibly remote environment for an uninterrupted period of up to several weeks
Substance Free
In accordance with a drug free workplace, alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in AmeriCorps and SCC activities, and while on organization property.
Job Start Date: 5/25/2020
Application Deadline: 5/18/2020
Additional Information: Visit https://sccorps.org/open-positions to view all open positions, job descriptions, and to access the applications
(Sent via Professional TrailBuilders Association)