Rocky Mountain Youth Corps (RMYC) is a nonprofit youth development organization serving New Mexico. We inspire young adults to make a positive difference in themselves and their communities. Through training and service, Corpsmembers discover their potential for healthy, productive lives.

Individual Placement positions work within RMYC partner agencies and are intended to provide meaningful job experience for young professionals looking to build their careers in specific fields.

POSITION OVERVIEW: This Recreation Apprenticeship Program position will be hosted by the Mount Taylor Ranger District on the Cibola NF & NG to support a variety of outdoor recreation management activities, including trail construction and maintenance, developed recreation site upkeep, and dispersed recreation area stewardship.

Members, working independently or as a group, will assist with building, maintaining, and repairing trails for environmental recreation, conservation, and resource protection purposes. They will perform tasks such as erosion control, tread repair, brushing, and sign installation.

In addition to trail work, the position will involve maintaining, monitoring, repairing, and resource protection measures for developed and dispersed recreation sites such as campgrounds, picnic areas, trailheads, restrooms, and other facilities. This includes using traditional skills such as carpentry and woodworking to ensure amenities like tables, fire rings, kiosks, and restrooms are safe and functional. Candidates should be comfortable interacting with the public, educating visitors on Leave No Trace principles and responsible recreation practices.

The anticipated schedule includes working closely with developed recreation during the peak summer months, including working weekends/holidays. Trail management will be the focus during the fall, and will include camping overnight as needed.

Members will work closely with host location staff and other team members, accurately tracking work activities and resource conditions using agency data systems. Professional development and work-training are major components of this position. Participants will receive life skills training and career development support through RMYC, as well as technical training provided by the host program or external partners. Cross-training with other resource programs is encouraged to broaden experience and skill sets. As an AmeriCorps member, this position is focused on service and learning and will not include supervisory or staff roles.

This position is anticipated to take place over two seasons. The first season will be on the Mt. Taylor RD to build recreation management skills. In the second season candidates will use their learned skills to become a lead field tech where they will identify and address concerns/issues and implement a program of work. They will also have the option to move to other districts on the Cibola NF & NG, including the Magdalena Ranger District (Magdalena, NM), Mountainair Ranger District (Mountainair, NM), Sandia Ranger District (Tijeras, NM), Black Kettle National Grasslands (Elk City, OK) or Kiowa-Rita Blanca National Grassland (Clayton, NM). Second season locations will be based on the skills of the candidate and areas that best fit the career direction of the candidate. 

The ideal candidate is someone seeking a starting point for a career in outdoor recreation, land management, and conservation, with an interest in learning hands-on skills and contributing to public land stewardship.

POSITION TYPE: Seasonal, full time, AmeriCorps member

SCHEDULE: Full Time, 40 hours per week, starting 5/4/2025. Exact start and end times will be determined by program funding, program needs, and timing of applications received.

REPORTS TO: Position will report to staff daily at the Mount Taylor Ranger District in Grants, NM and to RMYC Upper Rio Grande Program Coordinator on a biweekly basis.

LOCATION: 1800 Lobo Canyon Rd., Grants, NM 87020

TERM LENGTH: 900 hour AmeriCorps term.  5/3 to 11/14 or weather/funding dependent. 

COMPENSATION: Biweekly Stipend of $1,380 (Equivalent of $17.25 per hour)

EDUCATION AWARD: AmeriCorps Segal Education Award scholarship of $3,697.50 upon successful completion of term of service.

OTHER SUPPORT: Parents or caregivers are eligible and encouraged to apply. Full time, 1700 hour term applicants may qualify to receive childcare benefits through the AmeriCorps Childcare Program. More information is available by request or through the AmeriCorps Childcare Program website.

BENEFITS:

• Healthcare coverage is available to all AmeriCorps members at no cost to the member. This is considered primary coverage and is not available as supplemental coverage.
• Non-Scheduled Days (paid days off) are available, with the exact number depending on the length of the term of service (These days off ARE NOT counted toward the service hours required for the Educational Award). Time off in excess of assigned non-scheduled days will require make up work or a stipend reduction.
• RMYC observes all National holidays and are considered approved paid days off, however RMYC reserves the right to have AmeriCorps members work or earn service hours on certain holidays if necessary to meet program requirements (holiday time off hours ARE NOT counted toward the service hours required for the Educational Award).
• Student loan forbearance and interest payments are available for qualifying loans.
• Housing may be available, recommend reaching out for more information. 

ELIGIBILITY:

A chosen candidate must meet the following requirements:

• 18-30 years old as of the position start date. 
• All AmeriCorps members must be citizens, national, or lawful permanent residents of the United States. State-level background checks will be conducted for non-residents of NM.
• Chosen candidates must complete a pre-employment National Service Criminal History Check and fingerprint scan with the following requirements:
• You must be truthful in all statements regarding criminal history.
• You cannot be registered or required to be registered on any state sex offender registry or the National Sex Offender Registry.
• You cannot be convicted of murder.
• Insurable driving record and a valid driver’s license.
• Have a High School Diploma, equivalent diploma (G.E.D.), or agree to obtaining one prior to using the Segal Education Award
• If you are not capable of obtaining a High School diploma or equivalent or are enrolled in an institution of higher education on an ability to benefit basis you may be considered eligible for funds under section 484 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1091)
• Able to complete the entire length of the service term, including make up hours if necessary.
• Essential physical functions include the ability to sit, stand, walk, speak, hear, climb, balance, reach with hands & arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl on a frequent basis, and lift up to 50 pounds unassisted.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals to perform the essential functions.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Trail work:

• Work with host site staff on the construction, maintenance, and management of multi-use trails. Install trail features such as new tread, drainage features and dips, rock walls, etc. 
• Core skills include hand tool use for trail construction, such as crosscut saws, shovels, sledgehammers, McLeods, etc.
• Power tools, such as drills, chainsaws, etc. may be utilized depending on the needs of the staff/project.
• Monitor volunteer groups and agency partners on the implementation of various projects across the district. 
• Inspect trails post construction to ensure consistency with trail specifications.

Data Tracking/Collection:

• Track miles of trail improved and acres of land improved, along with other notable project work, for biweekly RMYC reports.
• Perform Condition Surveys for both trail and developed sites.

Developed Recreation Work:

• Work with host site staff on the construction, maintenance, and management of developed recreation sites. 
• Implement site improvements for campgrounds, trailheads, and other recreation facilities. 
• Maintain and service recreational infrastructure including restrooms and amenities. 
• Ability to collect and count collections from fee sites.
• Utilize vehicles such as excavators, skidsteers, trucks, trailers, etc. as a part of team.
• Perform wildfire and flood damage restoration.
• Assist with all levels or recreation management. Serving as a project lead for projects and improvements. 

Administrative tasks, including filing, organization, invoicing, and reporting. 

SECONDARY RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• May assist other departments with projects which could include wildlife, fire, heritage, range, and timber.
• Flexibility, adaptability, and capacity to work in a fluid, changing environment
• Perform various tasks within the scope of work for an AmeriCorps member.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must have and maintain a state issued driver’s license. 
• Must be comfortable working outside and performing fieldwork for long periods of time in all weather conditions.
• Applicants should demonstrate strong organizational skills, have experience working as part of a team, be able to work well with others in a professional setting, be self-motivated, and able to work independently with limited supervision after the initial training period.
• Applicants must have great attention to detail and problem solving skills.
• Strong work ethic, and the ability to take initiative and work independently with periodic check-ins.
• Participation in one service event that benefits the community is required, with options to attend additional service events.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION:

• Experience with fieldwork such as trail building, landscaping, agriculture, or other related outdoor fields.
• Strong project management, written and oral skills.
• Prior experience with recreation management and maintenance.
• Wilderness First Aid (WFA) or Wilderness First Responder (WFR).
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field (conservation management, environmental science, biology, etc.)
• Experience using equipment such as saws, OHVs, etc. 
• Comfort operating vehicles in the backcountry on gravel and dirt roads that may be tight, steep, rocky, and have dropoffs on edges of road.

EVALUATION:

Members serving less than a full-time term of service (<1700 hours) will receive a mandatory end-of-term evaluation, with an optional mid-term evaluation.

CONTACT:

If you have any questions about the position, please contact:

RMYC:

• Carl Smith, Individual Placement Coordinator: carl@youthcorps.org

USFS:

• Christopher Nichols, Forest Recreation Program Manager: Christopher.Nichols@usda.gov