Veterans Green Corps Crew Member
Conservation Program Job Description
Position Title: Veterans Conservation Crew Corpsmember
Position Type: Full-time, temporary, lasting up to 11 weeks
Location: Based out of Durango or Salida; Crew members will work in Southern Colorado and the 4-Corners Region.
Pay: $310.00 per week (minus $25 per wk meal deduction…Crew leaders are paid a wage range of $460-$540 DOE, DOQ, and certifications).
Benefits: Uniform, food, training, worker’s compensation coverage, travel, and an AmeriCorps education award to qualifying individuals.
Qualifications: Applicants must have served in the U.S. Armed Forces and have a DD214
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.
Veterans Green Jobs Mission
Veterans Green Jobs provides exemplary green jobs education and career development opportunities for military veterans, empowering and supporting them to lead America’s transition to energy independence, ecological restoration, community renewal, and economic prosperity.
SCC Organization Statement
To the men and women who have served our country:
Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC) honors your dedication and service to the United States of America. SCC is a nonpolitical organization that does not advocate nor take positions on issues of national security. SCC respects and honors veterans’ experiences during military service and carries no judgment about those experiences. SCC is a professional organization whose first priority is to honor, respect and improve the lives of the corpsmembers, staff, stakeholders and communities that it serves.
Program Overview:
The Veterans Conservation Corps completes conservation projects on public lands throughout Colorado and the Four Corners area. Work projects will focus on trail construction and maintenance in non-remote and remote locations. These projects are located on public lands throughout the San Luis Valley and Southwestern Colorado. Crews will work in non-remote and remote locations. When working in remote areas, locations may be up to 15 miles in the backcountry. The schedule will vary slightly depending on project, however, most projects require crews to camp and live at a specific site for 11 days at a time, followed by 3 days off. All crews will consist of 6 Corpsmembers and 2 Crew Leaders. While in the field, crews will be responsible for preparing and cooking meals and other jobs required for living in the outdoors.
The program hires all Veterans and focuses on the transition from service in the military to service to public lands and local communities. Education and training will concentrate on the gaining conservation skills and career development services for veterans interested in pursuing further employment opportunities with land management. Any individual that successfully completes this program will have the opportunity to continue working in the conservation field or move onto into other opportunities focused on developing skills needed for employment in the rapidly emerging green jobs field.
General Qualifications:
w Safety -
Safety is our top concern. While in the outdoors and in remote locations safety becomes even more important. You will be expected to take a serious attitude toward safety all day and every day while in the field.
w Commitment –
Corpsmembers must make a STRONG commitment to complete the program. You will
challenge yourself, work hard, and be committed to doing the best that you can.
w Professionalism –
Corpsmember must be willing to appropriately represent Southwest Conservation Corps and Veterans Green Jobs. Member is also required to be tolerant of diversity; respecting the differences of others.
w Teamwork –
Corpsmember must be willing to work hard, participate as part of a team, and respect their
fellow members and be dedicated to the Southwest Conservation Corps’ mission.
w Substance Free –
Corpsmembers MUST be willing and able to refrain from alcohol, or drugs while
participating in the SCC program. Tobacco use will be allowed in designated areas.
w Fitness –
Projects involve hiking, heavy lifting and repetitive motions. Backcountry projects are physically demanding!!! Projects can sometimes take place at high elevations; above 8,500 feet. Members are expected to be ready to confront these conditions.
• 1 VGC (Veterans Green Corps) Saw Crew
o Dates: 10 weeks, March 7-May 14
o Description: For Veteran’s only! The VGC crew, comprised of and led by Vets, will be engaged in forestry work and will receive chainsaw training (S-212 Wildland Powersaw Operations) and S 130/190 training and will prep candidates for career introduction/advancement in forestry, fire mitigation, and wildland fire fighting applications. Project work will be chainsaw work on the San Juan National Forest.
1-2 experienced Veteran crew leaders needed, chainsaw experience preferred.
Hiring for the Durango saw crew for these positions is ongoing.
• 4 VGC Crew Leaders Wanted For Technical Trail Crew Leadership Opportunity
o Dates: 19 April-20 August
o Description: For Veteran’s only! The VGC technical crews, comprised of and led by Vets, will be engaged in forestry work and will receive technical trail, leadership, and backcountry group management training…it will prep candidates for career introduction/advancement toward continuing education, forestry, outdoor education, wilderness therapy etc.. Project work will be primarily trail work in the Rio Grande National Forest.
Please specify Los Valles, Salida office for this opportunity.
Hiring for the Los Valles, Salida Crew Leader Training opportunity is now open.
• 12 VGC Crew Members Wanted For Technical Trail Crew
o Dates: 30 May-20 August
o Description: For Veteran’s only! The VGC technical crews, comprised of and led by Vets, will be engaged in forestry work and will receive technical trail, leadership, and backcountry group management training…it will prep candidates for career introduction/advancement toward continuing education, forestry, outdoor education, wilderness therapy etc.. Project work will be primarily trail work in the Rio Grande National Forest.
Please specify Los Valles, Salida office for this opportunity.
Hiring for the Los Valles, Salida Crew Member opportunity is now open.
Keep checking back or contact SCC staff for more opportunities.
Please contact the Program Directors: kevin@sccorps.org (Durango) or nick@sccorps.org (Salida) or the Veterans Green Corps Coordinator: jason@sccorps.org for questions.
