Position Title: Seeds of Success Crew Member – AmeriCorps 

Conservation Legacy Program: Southwest Conservation Corps 

Site Location: Durango, CO 

Terms of Service: 

• Start Date: Must start by August 11th (July 28th preferred start date) 

• End Date: End of October (weather and seed dependent) 

• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 450 hours 

Purpose: 

This is an AmeriCorps position with Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC), which is an AmeriCorps program of Conservation Legacy. The member selected for this position will be serving at the Southwest Conservation Corps Four Corners office in Durango, CO as an AmeriCorps member with Southwest Conservation Corps, and completing service projects for the Department of the Interior.  

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: 

Crew members will work with the Department of Interior (DOI) Seeds of Success (SOS) team, operated by Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC). Crews will be based out of the SCC Durango office. The crew will collect seeds from native species in remote areas on DOI land following SOS protocols. Crew members will receive training from the crew leader and will participate in a regional seed collection training with local botany experts. 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 involves significant driving relative to other types of field work. Crew members 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 prerequisite, particularly where industry development (energy extraction, e.g., natural gas) is occurring and 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. Crew members will work with the crew leader 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. Crew members will use ArcGIS tablet applications (i.e., ArcCollector) to locate and document collections. 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.   

While serving a term of National Service, crews are expected to work in diverse team settings and have respect for all members of the program, our partners, the public, and the land they are visiting. SCC expects all members to represent the program in a professional manner at all times. Crew life will include our values of challenge, stewardship, dedication, community, integrity, inclusion, and belonging. Members are expected to be timely, hardworking, flexible, and complete all functions of the tasks assigned, including challenging physical labor and hiking several miles to remote locations under adverse weather conditions. 

 
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.  

• Willing to spend multiple days car-camping in remote areas while adhering to Leave No Trace principles. 

• Excellent communication (including in-person, email, and phone), strong conflict resolution, and team building skills. 

• Capable of operating professionally both in an office and in the field.  

• Experience with Microsoft Suite Software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) or other data collection software.   

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Experience using taxonomic keys to identify plants to species in the field, from photos, and from pressed specimens. 

• Familiarity with Colorado flora in general is preferred. 

• Experience with Floras from adjacent states to Colorado. 

• Experience working in regions with high floristic diversity. 

• Experience working as part of a small team and able to work well with others. 

• Experience with ArcGIS tablet applications and basic troubleshooting (Collector and Survey 123). 

• Experience with ArcGIS Online interface. 

• Knowledge of downloading, using, and syncing ArcGIS Online Maps. 

• Experience collecting, managing and summarizing data for plant and/or animal monitoring programs. 

• Certifications in Wilderness First Aid and CPR. 

Physical Requirements: 

• Physically capable of standing and walking (multiple miles a day on rough, uneven terrain), bending, crouching and stooping for long periods of time, and lifting/carrying items that weigh up to 40 pounds in upwards of 100-degree (F) heat while maintaining a positive attitude. 

• Ability to work in and respond to adverse weather conditions including extreme heat and sun exposure, monsoonal rains, flash flooding, lightning, and hazardous wildlife (i.e., rattlesnakes, scorpions, bears). 

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, speak, hear, etc. 

• Ability to operate office equipment, telephone, and computer and reach with hands and arms. 

• Ability to drive/be in vehicle for up to 10-hours per day. 

• This position calls for high levels of concentration. A large amount of travel is required to conduct fieldwork and to provide or receive training. 

 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. 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. 

Substance Free:  

In accordance with a drug free workplace, alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in AmeriCorps and program activities and while on organization property. SCC is a drug-free organization; alcohol, marijuana (medical and recreational), and illegal substances are prohibited. 

Time Requirements: 

• Crews work 10-hour days with either 8-days on/ 6 days off or 4 days on/ 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.  

• Members 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 a Southwest Conservation Corps New Member Orientation at start of service that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities. 

• Crew members who attend the full orientation will receive training on Leave No Trace, Outdoor Living and Nutrition, Crew Culture and Diversity, and goal setting.  Informal hands-on training will continue throughout the term with on-the-ground skills training. During the season members will have the opportunity to participate in a Wilderness First Aid certification course. 

Housing: Crews are responsible for their own housing, transportation, and food between camping trips. 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.  

Benefits: 

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $1,956.35 with successful completion of position. 

• Living Allowance of $480 per week. 

• Additional Benefit of $120 per week. 

• Childcare Coverage if Eligible. 

• Qualifies for Student Loan forbearance and Interest Payment reimbursement through AmeriCorps. 

• Food budget while on camping hitch. 

• Employee Assistance Program. 

• Two SCC field shirts and a sweatshirt. 

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: 

AIM Program Coordinator - Madison McCluskey (she/her/hers) 

Contact information: mmccluskey@conservationlegacy.org 

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, 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.