Title : Youth Crew Leader Reports to : Youth Programs Coordinator Location : Durango, CO | Four Corners Office Status : Seasonal, Full-time, Exempt Dates : March 24 th – August 8 th , 2025, There may be potential for extension through the fall season Late start date May 5th Wages : $1128/week Benefits : Health Benefit Eligible, PTO days built into schedule and 2 additional days of PTO, Sick time and Discretionary time, Food provided while in the field, uniforms, protective equipment, access to Mental Health Consultant and Employee Assistance Program. Training : U.S. Forest Service recognized OHLEC Chainsaw trainin g, Technical Trails Training, Mental Health Training , Mandatory Reporter Training, Trauma Informed Approach Training. Potential for Crosscut & Backcountry Training. 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. 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. Position Summary: This position is an opportunity to make a difference in young peoples’ lives. This position requires a high degree of flexibility and a passion for working with youth outdoors . Leaders will be mentors, educators and facilitators for high school students, working to increase youth resiliency, build confidence and to be positive role models. Crew Leaders are ultimately responsible for successes and shortcomings of the crew, as well as safety and well-being. S CC’s Youth Crew Leaders will spend 8 weeks in a crew leader training period, which will include a SCC orientation week, chainsaw training, technical trails training, a youth crew leader training, and prep weeks in addition to project work. In June, crew leaders will be paired with and mentor a CLDP and co-lead two 4-week sessions with high school students ages 14-18 or middle schoolers ages 11-13. Crews will complete a variety of local conservation projects. T he typical schedule is either: Nine days on followed by five days off (During training season), or five days on followed by two days off (During Youth Crew Season). Depending on proximity to the work site, crews either return to town each day, or camp at the project site (we refer to this as a “hitch”) for its duration. We will be running the following crews during the 2025 season, please be ready to speak to your preferences and how you will support them during your interview. You will lead 2 different crews over the summer and are expected to camp and work Monday through Friday for all crew models. Exceptions made on a case-by-case basis.
Indigenous Youth Affinity Crew
Backcountry Youth Crew
Middle School Crew
Day Crew
Camping Crews
Required SkillsResponsibilities/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
Mentor and delegate project responsibilities and member development to Crew Leader in Development.
Must be willing to follow and enforce all SCC policies, maintain professional boundaries, and appropriately represent Southwest Conservation Corps. This includes creating a substance free work environment, refraining from the use of tobacco products, alcohol, and drugs while involved in the program.
Facilitate weekly educational lessons to the crew
Crew Leaders paired with a Crew Leader in Development will be responsible for mentoring and supporting them through a Goal setting process and a development plan.
Project Management & Implementation
Train, motivate and supervise a crew of six to eight high school students to efficiently complete conservation projects on public lands within 8 hours of project work/day, while managing quality of work
Think critically to resolve issues and solve problems
Communicate effectively & coordinate logistics with your Crew leader or CLDP Pair, project partners, & SCC staff
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
Administration
Complete professional documentation of time sheets, daily and weekly reports, corps member and peer evaluations, performance improvement contracts, incident reports, and project related deliverables.
Manage food budget and credit card for purchases
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
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions
Required ExperienceMinimum Qualifications:
Leadersh ip experience with youth or experience with experiential and/or environmental education
Must hold current advanced medical certification (WFR, WEMT) with CPR/AED, or be certified prior to March 24 th , 2025. WFA accepted on case-by-case basis.
Flexibility and adaptability while effectively managing a crew during a 8-12 hour workday
Physically fit and able to work long days in adverse conditions on a variety of conservation projects
High School diploma or GED certificate
Must be able to pass a criminal history background check
Must be 21, have a clean driving record (insurable by SCC) and a current driver’s license.
Preferred Qualifications or strong desire to grow in the following:
Experience with SCC or other conservation corps or youth corps
Facilitation, team building and conflict resolution experience
Desire to make a positive difference and promote leadership in others
Exhibits the ability to effectively work on diverse teams or with a variety of populations, including those underrepresented at our organization and those of BIPOC communities.
Other Considerations:
Having a vehicle or access to a vehicle is important for this position to transport yourself between your living situation & our work base; The Old Fort Lewis in Hesperus, CO.
Ability to live, work and camp in rural Colorado. Weather can be extreme and variable throughout the spring and summer season
If you would like to learn more about the position, need assistance with the application or have any questions about the position, please reach out to:
Jacob Mandell | Youth Programs Manager
SCC Four Corners - Durango, CO Office
970-238-6454 | jmandell @conservationlegacy.org (jmandell@conservationlegacy.org)
To Apply:
Head to: www.sccorps.org/join/crew-leaders/ (http://www.sccorps.org/join/crew-leaders/%E2%80%AF) . Under the YOUTH LEADERSHIP FOUR CORNERS, select Youth Crew Leader position.
Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to hiring a breadth of diverse professionals and encourage members of diverse groups to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.
