Position Title: Seeds of Success Assistant Crew Lead – AmeriCorps 

Conservation Legacy Program: Southwest Conservation Corps 

Site Location: Durango, CO 

Terms of Service: 

• Start Date: Must start by July 28th. (July 14th ideal start).
• End Date: Term will last 15 weeks from start date.
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 450 hours 

Purpose: 

This AmeriCorps Program partners with the National Parks Service (NPS). This program fosters invaluable mentorship to early-career individuals and provides a unique opportunity to develop relationships within and become familiar with the workings of non-profit and government agencies. The purpose of this position is to collect native seeds for research, development, germplasm conservation, and ecosystem restoration. The long-term conservation outcome of this program is to support the development of native plant materials for restoring and supporting ecosystems. To dive deeper into the Seeds of Success Program, visit the following website: https://www.blm.gov/programs/native-plant-communities/native-plant-and-seed-material-development/collection/sos 

Description of Duties: 

The Assistant Crew Leader (ACL) works with a Crew Leader (CL) to supervise two crew members for a Department of Interior (DOI) Seeds of Success (SOS) team, operated by Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC). The crew will be based out of the SCC Durango office. The crew will collect seeds from native species in remote areas across Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico following SOS protocols. The ACL and CL will be trained in planning techniques for a successful field season. Subsequently, the ACL and CL will help train the crew members and contribute to regional seed collection training. Crews will be required to drive to different areas throughout Colorado, camp overnight, potentially hike several miles a day, and return to the office for equipment and data management. This position requires significant driving relative to other types of field work. ACLs and CLs must be prepared for long days of driving and scouting from a truck. This position also requires the ability to maintain focus during highly repetitive and meticulous work. Safety is a pre-requisite, particularly where industry development (energy extraction, e.g. natural gas) is occurring during hunting season. Risk management will guide how fieldwork is conducted.   

Specific duties will include selecting and locating populations of plant species based on the established SOS Protocol, and locally developed target species lists. The ACL and CL will oversee fieldwork and work with crew members to locate populations of targeted species, monitor phenology of the population, collect botanical voucher specimens, assess seed quantity and quality prior to seed collection, collect seed, record site data, prepare documentation, and ship collected seed for cleaning and short-term storage. The ability to identify plants both in the field and in the office via dichotomous keys is an important function of the position. However, help with plant ID will be provided, and IDs will be reviewed. Use of 4-wheel drive vehicles in rugged off-road situations is expected. Familiarity with this equipment is highly desirable, but training will be provided where needed.   

While Seeds of Success is the primary focus, the crew may also assist with other conservation program projects during the season to promote additional education and experience.   

Assistant Crew Leaders (ACL) are responsible for facilitating a safe and positive crew member experience by setting an example of enthusiasm, dedication, and a strong work ethic throughout work and camp life. The ACL works in tandem with the Crew Leader to communicate directions, project specifications, and provide constructive criticism throughout the term of service. The ACL will expand their role, learn leadership strategies, and assume full leadership duties if the Crew Leader is unavailable. We seek individuals who consistently demonstrate discretion and judgment, embracing the responsibility of identifying, communicating, and proactively addressing safety, logistical, or interpersonal issues. We expect a proactive approach and involvement at every step. 

Housing: Crews are responsible for their own housing, transportation, and food between camping trips. For the most part, housing is not provided. We are glad to talk through your options with you in the interview and onward.  

Gear: Participants must supply their own personal outdoor gear and equipment such as a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, day pack, work pants, hiking/work boots, etc. A suggested gear-list will be provided prior to starting the term of service. Additionally, SCC has pro-deals and some gear available to borrow.  

Qualifications: 

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien and able to produce identification as stipulated by the I-9 upon start date 
• Under 31 upon start date of position. 
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check. 
• Eligible to accept a 450-hour service term with AmeriCorps.     
• Valid U.S. driver's license and insurable driving record.    
• Flexibility, adaptability and capacity to work in a changing environment including willingness to work a varying schedule. 
• Capable of standing and walking (multiple miles a day on rough, steep, off-trail uneven terrain using a handheld GPS for route-finding), bending and crouching for long periods while taking precise, repetitive measurements, and lifting/carrying items that weigh up to 40 pounds, in upwards of 100-degree (F) heat while maintaining attention to detail and overall positive attitude. 
• Spend several hours per day safely operating 4WD trucks on paved and unpaved roads, often in remote areas on unimproved roads.  
• Excellent judgment in assessing physical, mental, and emotional risk while effectively working in and around adverse conditions, including extreme heat, sun exposure, monsoonal rains, and hazardous wildlife (i.e., rattlesnakes, scorpions, biting/stinging insects, cattle, and horses).    
• Willing to spend multiple days car-camping in remote areas while adhering to Leave No Trace principles. 
• Excellent communication and teaching/mentoring skills; strong conflict resolution and team building skills. 
• Ability to perform administrative duties, such as managing crew budget and paperwork.  
• Strong time-management skills and ability to work independently and in collaboration with a small group. 
• Capable of operating professionally both in an office and the field.  
• Experience with Microsoft Suite Software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) or other data-collection software.   
• Self-motivated, with a strong work ethic, and able both to work independently with limited supervision and to take direction and critical feedback.    

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Able to participate for the entire duration of the program dates.    
• Prior leadership experience. 
• Prior Americorps service. 
• College graduate with degree in botany, plant ecology plant biology, plant systematics, ecology (preferred); or with experience in botany and a degree in environmental science, range science, wildlife biology, natural resource management, conservation biology, or a related field.   
• Seed collection experience.    
• Familiar with Colorado and New Mexico Flora, or deeper experience with flora from elsewhere in the world.   
• Experience using taxonomic keys to identify plants to species in the field, from photos, and from pressed specimens. 
• Experience working in regions with high floristic diversity.  
• Experience collecting, managing and summarizing data for plant and/or animal monitoring programs. 
• Experience working as part of a small team and being able to work well with others.    
• Excellent communication (including in-person, email, and phone), organizational, and planning skills.    
• Knowledge of downloading, using, and syncing ArcGIS Online Maps.     
• Experience collecting data, especially electronically.    
• Experience wilderness travel and camp management. 
• Certifications in Wilderness First Aid and CPR. 

Physical Requirements: 

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential functions. Some positions may require periodic overnight travel, non-traditional hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager. 

Time Requirements: 

• Crews work 10-hour days with either 8-days on and 6 days off or 4 days on and 3 days off, while camping in front and backcountry settings. Applicants should expect the project schedule to vary and to have nontraditional work hours including weekends and evening hours. Workdays will start with stretch and safety where crews warm up and review any safety risks for the day. A half-hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service.  
• Member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term. 

Orientation and Training: 

• Member will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities. 
• The term begins with leadership training which focuses on developing outdoor leadership skills, goal setting, technical and field skills training and developing an understanding of SCC policies. Following leadership training, crew leaders will attend a SOS protocol training with the Bureau of Land Management. Informal hands-on training will continue throughout the term with on-the-ground skills training. The crew leader will help train the crew members and contribute to a regional seed collection training. Depending on the project needs, crews may receive specialized training. During the season members will have the opportunity to participate in a Wilderness First Aid certification course.    

Benefits: 

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $1,956.35. 
• Living Allowance of $475 per week. 
• Additional Benefit of $200 per week. 
• Daily food allowance while in the field camping.   
• Healthcare Coverage if Eligible  
• Childcare Coverage if Eligible 
• Loan forbearance if Eligible 
• Interest Payments if Eligible 
• Supplemental professional development opportunities related to other public land management projects involving wildlife, range, recreation, rare plant monitoring, or forestry.  
• Two SCC field shirts and a sweatshirt. 
• Hiring Benefits: Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: a noncompetitive hiring status for consideration when applying to competitive service positions for a federal agency. Eligible to be used for two years upon completion of term.  

Evaluation and Reporting: 

As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of hours, the member has satisfactorily completed assignments, and if the member has met other performance criteria that were clearly communicated at the beginning of the term of service. 

Reporting requirements include, but are not limited to, bi-weekly timesheets and accomplishment tracking. 

Supervisor Name and Contact Information: 

Ecological Monitoring Program Coordinator – Michaela Gurbb (she/her/hers) 

Contact information: mgrubb@conservationlegacy.org  

Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, 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 reasonable accommodations due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.