Seeds of Success Crew Leader

Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC) provides youth, young adults, and veterans with structured, safe and challenging service and educational opportunities through projects that promote personal growth, the development of social skills, and an ethic of natural resource stewardship. The Southwest Conservation Corps program model incorporates guiding principles of experiential learning, respect, openness and willingness, commitment, responsibility, pride, excellence, health, safety, and fun. SCC is a program of Conservation Legacy that was founded in 1998 to continue the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930s.

Southwest Conservation Corps offers programs year-round based in regional offices located in Durango and Salida, CO. SCC operates a continuum of programs from community-based initiatives for teens to backcountry camping crews for high school and college aged individuals along with leadership programs for college graduates and job training programs specifically for current era veterans. Programs are completed in partnership with public land agency managers and most are AmeriCorps programs.

Position Summary:   

The Crew Leader will supervise two crew members and an assistant crew leader 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 on DOI land following SOS protocols.  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. Crew leaders 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 and during hunting season. Risk management will guide how fieldwork is conducted. The crew leader will be responsible for adhering to check-out/check-in procedures and communications via inReach device to ensure crew safety.     

Seed collected by DOI is saved in short- and long- term storage to support development of plant materials for land restoration purposes by DOI and other entities. The crew leader will oversee and be accountable for successful data management, including record filing, database input, and seed processing in order to preserve plant species for future generations. 

• Title: Seeds of Success Crew Lead  
• Reports to: AIM Program Coordinator and AIM Program Manager 
• Location:  Rig up in Durango, CO; Crew will serve in Southwest Colorado and Northern New Mexico including Mesa Verde National Park, Bandelier National Monument, and Valles Caldera National Preserve. 
• Status: Seasonal, Full-time, Camping Program   
• Dates: Must start by July 28th. (July 14th ideal start). Term will last 15 weeks from start date.
• Wages: $1025-$1125/week, depending on prior experience and certifications.    
• Benefits:  
• Daily food allowance while in the field camping.  
• Health benefits package that comes into effect on the 1st of the calendar month after the first 60 days. 
• Paid days off, personal leave, and sick leave. 
• Two SCC field shirts and sweatshirt. 
• Supplemental career development opportunities and funds available throughout and upon successful completion of the season. 
• 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. 
• Application closes: Applications accepted on a rolling basis. 

Overview of Role

• Specific duties will include selecting and locating populations of plant species based on the established SOS Protocol, and locally developed target species lists.
• The crew leader 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.
• 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. 
• 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.
• The crew leader will use ArcGIS tablet applications (i.e. ArcCollector) software 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.   
• This position requires patience, a consistently positive mental attitude, mentorship, technical aptitude, focus on efficiency, and a high level of competence in the outdoors. It also involves an administration role, where weekly paperwork is due in a timely manner to supervisors. Finally, crew leaders must exhibit the ability to effectively work on diverse teams and those from a variety of populations and communities. 

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.  

Training: 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.  

Schedule: Season will start with two weeks of training, 5 days on, 2 days off. Once in the field, hitch schedule will vary based on need with switching from 4 days on, 3 days off to 8 days on, 6 days off. 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.  Days include two 15-minute breaks and one 30-minute lunch. On-hitch, crews camp together, prepare all meals together, and work together as a group to complete all projects and chores.  

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.  

Responsibilities:   

Leadership & Mentorship  

• 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 safe, healthy, cohesive, other-centered and team-oriented community.   
• Work in tandem with the assistant crew lead to communicate directions, project specifications, and provide constructive feedback.  
• Follow and enforce all policies, maintain professional boundaries, and appropriately represent the program. This includes creating a substance free work environment, refraining from the use of tobacco products, alcohol, and drugs while involved in the program.   

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.  
• Plan and carry out seed collection efforts, following SOS protocols, throughout CO to support DOI conservation strategies.  
• Organize and control the quality of data collection. 
• Coordinate field logistics, scheduling, crew tasks, and management of the crew’s equipment.  
• Communicate & coordinate logistics with DOI and SCC staff.  
• Be passionate about sound science principles and botany. Have a willingness to learn about the importance of native plant materials development in land management within the DOI.  

Safety & Risk Management   

• Monitor, manage, and promote the holistic health of the crew, including physical and emotional safety.    
• Exhibit strong situational awareness & promote a culture of safety.   
• Transport crew and equipment safely in either rental trucks or UTVs based on CL Driver policy.  
• Manage and document incidents in the field and activate incident response system, if needed, per Conservation Legacy policy. 

Administration   

• Thorough documentation of crew hours, accomplishments, disciplinary actions taken, and incident response according to Conservation Legacy policy and procedure.  
• Manage food budget and credit card 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 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. 

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:   

• 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.  
• Experience performing plant identification and using various dichotomous keys to identify plants to species level. 
• Must be at least 21 years old upon hire. 
• Must possess a driver’s license for 3 or more years without any restrictions (to pass minimum insurability requirements for crew transport driving duties).   
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.  
• Able to produce identification as stipulated by I-9 upon hire.  
• Must be able to speak, understand and write English.  
• Full commitment to the program and its mission.    
• Must hold current medical certification - minimum requirement is a 16-hour Wilderness First Aid with CPR/AED - or be willing to obtain early in season.
• Capable of standing and walking (about 2 miles/day on rough, steep, off-trail uneven terrain using a handheld GPS for route-finding), bending and crouching for long periods while, 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.  
• Experience safely operating 4WD trucks on paved and unpaved roads in remote areas for extended periods of time.  
• Excellent judgment in assessing physical, mental, and emotional risk while effectively working/living 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).     
• Experience camping in remote areas for multiple days.  
• Navigation software (Field Maps, Avenza, GAIA, etc.) and Microsoft Suite software 
• 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. 
• Leadership, management, and supervisory experience with youth or young adults. 
• Excellent communication (including in-person, email, and phone), organizational, and planning skills.  
• Self-motivated and able to work independently with limited supervision after the initial training period, with excellent discernment of when to ask for help and when to make decisions on your own.  
• Willingness to learn, teach, and adhere to best practices for field safety, comfort, and Leave No Trace principles.  
• Have self-awareness, desire for a positive crew culture, and excitement at the chance to have a close experience with the land.  

Preferred Qualifications or a Strong Desire to Grow in the Following:   

• Sense of humor, spirit of adventure, and desire to make a positive difference and promote leadership in others.   
• Previous leadership experience in botanical fieldwork leading a group of two or more people.  
• Experience performing seed collection (preferably using SOS protocol). 
• Terminology, techniques, data collection, and analysis methods, as well as equipment used in field biological research.  
• 1 to 2 years experience using taxonomic keys to identify plants to species in the field, from photos and pressed specimens.  
• Familiarity with NM and CO flora, specifically Ackerfield’s Flora of Colorado or Flora NeoMexicana 
• Experience with ArcGIS tablet applications and basic troubleshooting (Collector and Survey 123). 
• Experience with ArcMap, ArcCatalog, and ArcGIS online interface.  
• Experience working in regions with high floristic diversity.  
• Knowledge of creating, downloading, and using maps, and performing basic analysis and organizing data.   
• Experience collecting, managing and summarizing data for plant monitoring programs.   

Any questions can be addressed to:   

• AIM Program Manager: Michaela Grubb 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 accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.