Dates: May 29th – August 25th, 2023

Status: Seasonal, Full-time, Camping Program

Location: Based out of Pagosa Springs, CO

Stipend: $600 ($400/week living stipend + $200/week housing stipend)

Housing: Housing will be provided at the Pagosa Ranger District’s bunk house in Pagosa Springs, CO

Ages: 18 – 30

Benefits: $1,718, 450 hr AmeriCorps Education Award (Value may change depending on term of service), Food provided, uniform shirts, personal protective equipment. Wilderness First Aid & CPR/AED certification, U.S. Forest Service recognized OHLEC Chainsaw and Crosscut training

Southwest Conservation Corps:
The Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC) is a program of the non-profit service organization, Conservation Legacy, that is built on the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) that operated from 1933 – 1942. 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. Members receive a weekly living allowance, training, and an AmeriCorps Education Award (for qualifying individuals).

The Southwest Conservation Corps is partnering with the San Juan National Forest, Pagosa Ranger District to run a 4-person, wilderness, crosscut crew that is fully integrated with the USFS trail crew. You will be trained and certified in all aspects of crosscut saw work, and backcountry travel. Crosscut saw crews are focused primarily in designated wilderness areas (Weminuche and South San Juan Wilderness) where mechanized chainsaw use is prohibited. In recent years there has been a concerted effort to clear large swaths of downed trees and avalanche debris from remote trails in these areas of the forest. Crosscut Crews cover a lot of miles and carry all of their tools and belongings with them, moving camps daily. Your crew will work primarily 4 days on, 3 days off, learn how the USFS operates, become proficient with the Crosscut saw, and get to backpack through the rugged San Juan Mountains for a Summer.

All crews will go through a 5-day (unpaid) volunteer orientation (May 29th – June 2nd, 2023). 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
• A US citizen that has received (or on track to receive) a high school diploma or GED
• Regularly lift and/or move up to 50 lbs
• 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 times

Risk Management and Judgement

• Effectively follow direction by others, so that you will be able to successfully manage hazards
• Ask clarifying questions 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.

Any questions can be sent to:

Kristen Hencke, SCC Four Corners Adult Program Manager: khencke@conservationlegacy.org

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, political affiliation, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.