Crew Leader Development Program

Service Type: 6 month AmeriCorps position, full-time, temporary

Location: Programs based in: Durango & Salida, CO

Stipend: $275/wk living stipend.

Benefits: SCC S212 Chainsaw Operation and Safety Certification (if applicable), Wilderness First Aid, SCC Crosscut Saw, and Leave No Trace certifications as well as comprehensive leadership and youth development training. Other benefits include: food, training, worker’s compensation coverage, travel (to and from work sites), and a $2,362.50 (minimum) AmeriCorps education award to qualifying individuals.

Position Start Dates: March 6^th, 2010 – Durango, CO

May 30^th, 2010 – Durango, CO & Salida, CO

(members will have one unpaid week off)

Age: 21 – 25

Southwest Conservation Corps’ Mission

It is the mission of the Southwest Conservation Corps to empower individuals to positively impact their lives, their communities, and the environment.

Program Overview:

The purpose of the Crew Leader Development Program (CLDP) is to prepare women and men for conservation leadership for both Youth and Conservation crews. The focus of the CLDP is leadership, corpsmember development, and conservation skills. Participants in this program will spend 8-12 weeks as Corpsmembers where they will work and learn conservation skills with experienced crew leaders on conservation projects in CO, NM and AZ.

While gaining valuable conservation skills, CLDP members will learn outdoor leadership and mentorship skills. Following their experience working at Corpsmembers, CLDP members will become assistant crew leaders for 8-12 weeks, leading either the youth programs or the conservation programs in the summer or fall.

SCC’s youth programs include the Community Corps Program (a work, service, learning program designed for local 14-15 year olds) as well as the Youth Program designed to provide 15-18 year olds the opportunity to learn conservation skills and valuable work ethics in a camping environment.

SCC’s Conservation Programs are primarily trail crews and forestry crews working in frontcountry and backcountry settings. These crews provide young adults, aged 18-25, the opportunity to expand upon their conservation skills and work ethics while growing in their personal development.

General Qualifications: The CLDP emphasizes Leadership, Conservation, and Corpsmember Development.

Leadership

CLDP crew members must have experience or a strong desire to lead a diverse group of young individuals. CLDP members provide leadership in SCC’s service programs as Assistant Crew Leaders and they will lead, mentor, manage, and participate in the day-to-day details of crew life at work. Leadership duties with SCC require that all crew leaders must have a clean driving record (insurable) and a current driver’s license. If you have any major driving infractions within the past 5 years (i.e. DUI, DWI, accidents, Reckless Endangerment, etc.), please check with SCC to confirm whether or not you are insurable. Final hiring decisions are contingent upon your driving record. Individuals that cannot be insured under SCC’s insurance policy cannot be CLDP members.

Conservation

Previous experience with a conservation corps is preferred but not required. CLDP participants will spend their first 8-12 weeks with SCC learning and strengthening their conservation skills on projects throughout the Four Corners. These skills will include, primarily, trail maintenance and construction and forestry work; additional skills that may be gained (depending on contract work) include fencing, invasive species identification and eradication, stream and river restoration, habitat restoration, ecological restoration, campground improvement, and rock work. The only power tools that SCC uses are chainsaws; CLDP members will receive training and certification on the proper use and safety of a chainsaw (if applicable).

Corpsmember Development

Previous experience as an outdoor educator and/or mentor is preferred but not required. Must have a strong desire to teach and implement a Corpsmember Development Program which includes personal, professional, and educational components. CLDP participants spend their first 8-12 weeks familiarizing themselves with this program and practice facilitating different aspects of the program with the rest of the crew. During this time, CLDP corpsmembers are mentored by their Crew Leaders and SCC staff.

In addition CLDP participants must understand the need for:

Professionalism

CLDP participants must be willing to follow all SCC policies, maintain professional boundaries, and appropriately represent Southwest Conservation Corps and AmeriCorps. CLDP participants are also required to be tolerant of diversity; respecting the differences of others.

Teamwork

CLDP members must be willing to work hard, listen to and respect others’ viewpoints, participate as a team, and be dedicated to the SCC mission.

Substance Free

CLDP participants MUST be willing and able to refrain from tobacco products, alcohol, and/or drugs while participating in the SCC program.

Fitness

Projects involve hiking, heavy lifting and repetitive motions. SCC projects are physically demanding!!!

Projects can sometimes take place at elevations well above 8,500 feet. CLDP participants should be ready to confront these conditions while being able to help and encourage crew members.

AmeriCorps Education Award

Crew Leader Development Program corpsmembers who complete the full term of service may be eligible for a $2,362.50 (minimum) AmeriCorps Education Award.

To Apply:

Complete the Corpsmember Application. Please click here for online application or click here for downloadable application. For additional information contact a regional Recruiting Coordinator:

Eli Herb – SCC Four Corners – Durango, CO Email: eli@sccorps.org or Phone: 970-403-0141

Megan Strauss – SCC Los Valles – Salida, CO Email: megan@sccorps.org or Phone: 719-539-2438