Title: AmeriCorps Youth Service-Learning Crew Leader (Middle School Crews)  

Reports to: Youth Programs Coordinator 

Location: Durango, CO | Four Corners Office  

Status: Seasonal, Full-time, Exempt   

Dates: May 6th** – August 8th, 2025, *There may be potential for extension through the fall season  

**Early start date of March 24th possible  

Wages: $685 weekly = ($485/week living stipend + $200/week housing stipend) + AmeriCorps Education Award at completion of service term  

Benefits: Paid time off between summer sessions and 2 additional days of PTO; Food provided while in the field, uniforms, protective equipment, access to Mental Health Consultant and Employee Assistance Program.  

Training:  Mental Health Training, Mandatory Reporter Training, Trauma Informed Approach Training. Potential for technical skills training with early start date. 

Housing: SCC-Durango will be securing a camping location for leaders and CLDPs during the spring season. Other options, including host-housing, and a partnership with a local Hostel. All options will be reviewed in the interview process.   

*Wilderness Medicine: All SLC AmeriCorps Leaders are provided with Wilderness First Aid/CPR/AED Training. Hired leaders can sign up for a course prior to their season at their convenience and will be reimbursed.  

Multiple positions opened. Application closes December 30th, 2024.  

Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC) is a program of the non-profit service organization, Conservation Legacy. SCC provides youth and young adults opportunities to complete conservation projects primarily on public lands. While serving with SCC, members receive training on job skills, conflict resolution, leadership, teamwork, and environmental stewardship. Programs are developed using a step ladder approach to provide a progression of skill development based on a member’s needs. 

 

Overview of Service-Learning Crew: The Service-Learning Crew enhances the sense of belonging and connectedness of youth to their communities through meaningful outdoor-based service projects, education, and group recreation activities. Projects vary each day, with crews completing 3-4 hours of conservation service projects each day (planting, weeding, trail work, restoration etc.). The education component of SLC consists of job readiness, leadership skills, life skills training, and environmental education. Participants are 11-13 years old and volunteer their time for this free summer program. Crews consist of 2 leaders and 8 participants, and you will lead 4 different groups – 2 in Montezuma County and 2 in La Plata County.  Each crew runs two weeks at a time, Monday - Thursday, 8am-4:30pm. Fridays are spent de-rigging, checking in with staff and planning educational lessons for the following week. 

This is an entry level position focused on development, we welcome applications from candidates who may not have all the skills listed below. This position provides a week of intensive youth-leader training, a week of prep, and 2 project weeks to prepare for being in the field.  Leaders transition to leading their crews the first week of June and lead for 8 weeks with a 1-week prep week in the middle of the season. This position is an opportunity to make a difference in young peoples’ lives. Youth leaders will be mentors, educators and facilitators for middle school students, working to increase youth resiliency, build confidence and to be positive role models for their members 

Responsibilities/Required Skills:  

Leadership & Mentorship 

* Implement skills training on worksite and facilitate intentional discussions via informal lessons to contribute to the crew’s personal growth and group dynamics 

* Promote individual corps member development and a healthy community 

* Must be willing to follow and enforce all SCC policies, maintain professional boundaries, and appropriately represent Southwest Conservation Corps.  

 

  Program Management & Implementation 

* Train, motivate and supervise a crew of 6-8 middle school students to complete conservation projects for 3-4hrs 

* Facilitate educational/recreational activities related to the day’s service project for the second half of the day 

* Think critically to resolve issues and solve problems 

* Communicate effectively & coordinate logistics with your Co-Leader, project partners, & SCC staff 

* Complete professional documentation of time sheets, daily and weekly reports, corps member and peer evaluations, performance improvement forms, incident reports, and project related deliverables. 

* Manage food budget and credit card for purchases 

 

 Safety & Risk Management 
* Monitor, manage, and promote the crew’s physical and emotional safety on and off the work site 
* Exhibit strong situational awareness & promote a culture of safety 
* Transport crews and equipment safely in SCC’s vans or large SUVs with trailers 

 

  

Essential Functions: 

* Frequently required to walk, hike, sit and talk or listen 

* Required to use hands to operate objects, tools or controls, and to reach with hands and arms 

* Regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds 

* Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision and the ability to focus 

* Required to drive an SCC vehicle 

* Must be able to speak, understand, read and write English 

* Enforce all SCC policies. SCC is a substance free work environment. All must refrain from the use of tobacco products, vaping, alcohol, and drugs while in the program  

* Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions