Title: Youth Conservation Crew Leader 

Reports to: Youth Programs Coordinator 

Location: Durango, CO | Four Corners Office  

Status: Seasonal, Full-time, Camping Program 

Dates: April 6th** – August 7th, 2026, *There may be potential for extension through the fall season  

** Late start date May 4th. 

Wages: $925-1125 weekly DOE/DOQ in season; $750 weekly during 7-week training period.  

 * SCC will hire 1 Senior Youth Crew Leader that will receive in season rate during training season  

Benefits: Health Benefit Eligible, PTO days built into schedule and 2 additional days of PTO, Sick time and Discretionary time, Food provided while in the field, uniforms, protective equipment, access to Mental Health Consultant and Employee Assistance Program. 

Training:  U.S. Forest Service recognized OHLEC Chainsaw training, Technical Trails Training, Mental Health Training, Mandatory Reporter Training, Trauma Informed Approach Training. Potential for Crosscut & Backcountry Training. 

Housing: SCC-Durango will be securing a camping location for leaders and CLDPs during the spring season. Other options include; host-housing, and partnership with a local Hostel. Options will be reviewed in the interview process.   

Multiple positions available. Application closes December 30th 2025.  

Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC) is a program of the non-profit service organization, Conservation Legacy. 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.  

Position Summary: This position is an opportunity to make a difference in young peoples’ lives. This position requires a high degree of flexibility and a passion for working with youth outdoors. Leaders will be mentors, educators and facilitators for high school students, working to increase youth resiliency, build confidence and to be positive role models. Crew Leaders are ultimately responsible for successes and shortcomings of the crew, as well as safety and well-being.  SCC’s Youth Crew Leaders will spend 8 weeks in a crew leader training period, which will include a SCC orientation week, chainsaw training, technical trails training, a youth crew leader training, and prep weeks in addition to project work. In June, crew leaders will be paired with and mentor a CLDP and co-lead two 4-week sessions with high school students ages 15-18. Crews will complete a variety of local conservation projects. The typical schedule is either: Nine days on followed by five days off (During training season & Backcountry Youth Crew), or five days on followed by two days off (During Youth Crew Season).   

We will be running the following crews during the 2026 season, please be ready to speak to your preferences and how you will support them during your interview. You will lead 2 different crews over the summer and are expected to camp and work Monday through Friday for all crew models. Exceptions made on a case-by-case basis. SCC serves youth throughout the Four Corners region, recruiting youth from Durango, Cortez, Shiprock, Towaoc, and surrounding communities.  

• Backcountry Youth Crew  
• Middle School Crew 
• Day Crew  
• Camping Crews  

Responsibilities:  

Leadership & Mentorship 

* Mentor Crew Leader in Development (CLDP): provide valuable feedback, give opportunities for growth, delegate responsibilities, and encourage technical and leadership skill development. 

* Implement skills training on worksite and facilitate intentional discussions via informal lessons to contribute to the crew’s personal growth and group dynamics 

* Promote individual corps member development and a healthy community 

* Follow and enforce all SCC policies, maintain professional boundaries, and appropriately represent Southwest Conservation Corps. This includes creating a substance free work environment, refraining from the use of tobacco products, alcohol, and drugs while involved in the program. 

* Facilitate weekly educational lessons to the crew 

* Crew Leaders paired with a Crew Leader in Development will be responsible for mentoring and supporting them through a Goal setting process and a development plan.  

 Project Management & Implementation 

*Train, motivate and supervise a crew of young adults to efficiently complete tasks and objectives outlined in conservation projects, while working long hours and managing high quality of work and crew morale. 

* Think critically to resolve issues and solve problems, requesting assistance or help when needed.  

* Communicate effectively & coordinate logistics with your Crew leader or CLDP Pair, project partners, & SCC staff. 

Safety & Risk Management 
* Monitor, manage, and promote the crew’s physical and emotional (intimidation free community environment) safety. 

* Exhibit strong situational awareness & promote a culture of safety 

* Transport crews and equipment safely in SCC’s vans or large SUVs with trailers accordance with Driver policy. 

* Manage and document incidents in the field and activate incident response system, if needed, per SCC policy. 

Administration 

* Complete professional documentation of time sheets, daily and weekly reports, corps member and peer evaluations, performance improvement contracts, incident reports, and project related deliverables according to SCC’s policy and procedure. 

* Manage food budget and credit card for purchases 

* Track and submit credit card receipts for all expenses every month. 

Camp Management 

* Oversee, manage, and assign camp chores (or camp tasks). 

* Monitor and manage crew community needs in camp. 

* Instruct crew in how to create a safe, hygienic, and tidy camp environment while mitigating crew caused impacts to campsites, practicing minimum impact camping techniques. 

* Maintain all program policies and procedures in camp environment. 

* Leading a camping crew is an intensive commitment requiring a continuous physical presence. Leaders must remain physically present, and cognitively and emotionally available to support community and individual crew member needs. 

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Full commitment to the program and its mission.   
• Understanding of and experience with the mission and field management considerations of conservation corps and public land agencies. 
• Leadership, management, and supervisory experience with youth or young adults.   
• Must hold current advanced medical certification (for backcountry crews: 80 hours Wilderness First Responder with CPR/AED or higher; for front country crews: 24 hours Wilderness First Aid with CPR/AED or higher) or be willing to receive certification prior to start date.   
• Ability to effectively manage all aspects of crew life and production within a 40-50+-hour work week including managing projects, camping, and programmatic policies and integrity throughout. 
• Flexibility, adaptability, and capacity to work in a fluid, changing work environment.   
• Willingness to participate in community-building activities and solution-oriented problem solving with peer leaders.   
• Able to work long days in adverse conditions.   
• Must be able to speak, understand and write English.   
• High School diploma or GED certificate.   
• Must over the age of 21 or have possessed a driver’s license for 3 or years more without any restrictions (to pass minimum insurability requirements for crew transport driving duties). 

Preferred Qualifications or strong desire to grow in the following: 

• Experience with SCC or other conservation corps or youth corps 
• Facilitation, team building and conflict resolution experience  
• Desire to make a positive difference and promote leadership in others  
• Facilitation and team-building experience with diverse groups of people. 
• Experience working in rural communities or those similar to Southwest Colorado/Northern New Mexico 
• Familiarity working in Indigenous communities 

Other Considerations: 

* Having a vehicle or access to a vehicle is important for this position to transport yourself between your living situation & our work base; The Old Fort Lewis in Hesperus, CO. 

* Ability to live, work and camp in rural Colorado. Weather can be extreme and variable throughout the spring and summer season  

If you would like to learn more about the position, need assistance with the application or have any questions about the position, please reach out to: