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Now hiring Crew Leaders and Assistant Crew Leaders for Conservation Corps New Mexico Field Crews! Live and work in the great outdoors leading a tight-knit crew: serve public lands while camping, hiking, and gaining valuable conservation skills.
Apply now on our website: https://corpsnm.org/leadership-opportunities
Timeline: September 17, 2018 - March 16, 2019
The Conservation Corps New Mexico (CCNM) Las Cruces Office seeks qualified candidates for Crew Leader and Assistant Crew Leader positions for the summer/fall 2018 season. CCNM offers opportunities for individuals to work in a crew environment on national lands throughout the southwestern United States and elsewhere. Successful crew leaders are self-motivated, energetic and tenaciousthey understand the value of hard work and the outdoors and are driven to excellence in conservation.
What does it mean to be a leader at CCNM ?
The leaders are responsible for facilitating a positive Corpsmember experience for 7-8 AmeriCorps members working as a crew on manual labor projects related to environmental conservation and restoration. This means creating a positive environment for the crew to grow both personally and professionally through skill development in the field facilitated by the crew leader. The Crew Leader will work with the Assistant Crew Leader to communicate directions, project specifications and constructive criticism throughout the term.
Leaders at CCNM need to do more than just show up. This job requires endless positivity and enthusiasm, being able to lead a crew on a variety of projects through all kinds of weather conditions all while practicing and modeling good judgement safety. Being a leader at CCNM means having a passion for being outside and working with a team. It may also mean participating in training and additional work beyond the hours of regular crew members.
Previous Corps experience in highly recommended
Project Work
CCNM works with a variety of land management agencies in New Mexico, such as the US Forest Service, National Park Service and the Bureau of Land Management, as well as local agencies such as New Mexico State Parks and local Non-Profits. Projects vary across crews and locations. This crew is a "roving" crew meaning there will be an opportunity for a variety of projects that range in skills and geographic location.
Projects will vary but could include things like trail construction and maintenance, ecosystem restoration, habitat restoration, fire fuels reduction, barbed wire fence construction, invasive weed removal, herbicide applications and many others. All projects require a willingness to work hard, be safe and have fun.
Training
In additional to the training that all Corpsmembers receive, leaders will attend and participate in an 8 day intensive leadership training that could include things like chainsaw training or advanced rock work skills. The focus of the training will be developing leadership skills and forming strong bonds between leadership teams.
Job Progression
Over the term, the Assistant Crew Leaders will be expected to expand their role, learn leadership strategies from the Crew Leader, be able to correctly and completely fill out paperwork, and on occasion assume management duties for the duration of a project. The hope is that ACL and Crew Leader will act as one leadership unit.
Expectations
CCNM is a drug-free organization; alcohol and illegal substances are prohibited. CCNM is an independent, non-residential program. The leaders must supply his/her own personal outdoor gear and equipment such as a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, day pack, multi-day pack, work pants, hiking/ work boots. CCNM will provide the tools, protective gear, cook sets for front country spikes, a budget for food while in the field, and transportation to projects. Housing is not provided.¯
Schedule
The typical schedule is eight to nine days on with five or six days off, or, four ten-hour days with three days off either in town or on spike (camping at the project) depending on proximity to the work site from New Mexico, NM. The day starts at 7:00 AM with a stretch circle and safety meeting. The day includes two fifteen minute breaks and a half hour break for lunch. The day concludes at 5:30 PM.
Required Skills
Required Qualifications for CREW LEADERS:
Leadership experience with youth or young adults.
Be at least 21 years old with a clean driving record.
All offers of employment are conditional upon completion of an acceptable check of the National Sex Offender Public Registry and federal criminal background check.
Excellent organization skills.
Physically fit and able to work long days in adverse conditions.
High School diploma or GED certificate.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience teaching, facilitation and team-building in diverse groups of people.
Experience in Conservation Corps or Youth Corps.
Familiarity with basic conservation skills including tool maintenance.
Familiarity with basic chainsaw operation.
Experience teaching outdoor experiential and/or environmental education.
Current Wilderness First Responder or higher and CPR certification.
Required Qualifications for ASSISTANT CREW LEADERS:
To qualify, you must be between the ages of 18 and 25, and a US citizen that has received a high school diploma or GED. All offers of employment are conditional upon completion of an acceptable check of the National Sex Offender Public Registry and federal criminal background check. Must be eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award.
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. These requirements are written the same for all positions and therefore may not apply directly to your particular position.
Participation and Expedition Behavior:
Work effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions. This may require problem solving on an interpersonal or group level as well as a willingness to accept differences.
Willingness and ability to complete all aspects of the program including conservation projects, education, training and national service. Members must commit to participating in all crew/team activities, including service days in local communities where applicable.
Effectively communicate ideas and concerns as they arise directly to supervisors, colleagues and organization staff.
Have the cognitive ability to learn necessary skills and apply them to effectively carry out the service work requirements
Appropriately represent the Program and AmeriCorps to the public and project partners at all times.
Contribute to a safe learning environment; no harassment of others for any reason.
Safety and Judgment:
Effectively communicate danger to others in the form of either a warning of danger others may be encountering or a notification of personal distress, injury or need for assistance. You must be able to do so at a distance of up to 50 meters and in conditions with limited visibility or loud background noise such as darkness or high winds.
Effectively perceive, understand and follow direction by others so that you will be able to successfully execute appropriate and perhaps unfamiliar techniques to manage hazards. These directions may be given before the hazard is encountered or may need to be given during exposure to the hazard.
Stay alert and focused for several hours at a time while traveling and working in varied weather conditions
Perceive and comprehend significant and apparent hazards, including those hazards previously identified by others.
Respond appropriately to stress or crises.
If taking prescription medications, participants must be able to maintain proper dosage by self-medicating without assistance from others.
Environmental Ethics:
Learn and practice 'Leave no Trace' techniques
Learn and safely perform fundamental outdoor living/travel and work skills as appropriate to the project. Additionally, remain adequately hydrated, fed, and properly dressed so as to remain generally healthy and safe, avoiding environmental injuries.
Live in a physically demanding, possibly remote environment for an uninterrupted period of up to several weeks. Conditions of this environment may vary significantly and may include severe and/or trying weather. The remoteness is such that it may require at a minimum one hour, but perhaps in excess of 12 hours, to reach the nearest advanced medical care.
Outdoor Skills and Fitness (where appropriate)
Substance Free:
In accordance to a drug free workplace, alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in AmeriCorps and program activities and while on organization property.
Job Location: Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States
Timeline: September 17, 2018 - March 16, 2019
Position Type: Full-Time/Regular
Compensation for CREW LEADERS: Salary of 480-600 USD per week (depending on experience)
Compensation for ASSISTANT CREW LEADERS: Americorps living stipened of 335 USD per week, plus an Americorps Education Award (about $3000) at the successful completion of the term to be used for repaying student loans or paying tuition for a Title IV accredited college.
Apply now on our website: https://corpsnm.org/leadership-opportunities
Vacancy expired!