Multi-Watershed Monitoring Crew Leader

Title: Crew Leader

Location: Durango, CO

Status: Seasonal, Full-time, Non-exempt

Start/end date: March 16th, 2020 – end of October 2020

Wages: $700 / week

Benefits: Includes health benefits. Food provided while in the field, uniforms, personal protective equipment, training in multiple rapid vegetation protocols and other development opportunities.

The Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC) is a non-profit, AmeriCorps-affiliated organization, whose mission is to empower individuals to positively impact their lives, their communities and the environment. SCC supports youth, adult camping crews (ages 18-30), and Veteran fire crews (ages 18-35) with crew-based programming to complete challenging and impactful conservation projects throughout the Four Corners and Los Valles Regions. Projects include, trail construction & maintenance, habitat improvement, invasive species removal, hazardous fuels reduction, re-vegetation, habitat/vegetation surveying, and local environmental service projects. Crews may also complete technical and/or specialized projects depending on project partner needs, including disaster relief. SCC crews work in national parks, forests, and other public lands throughout central and southwestern Colorado.

This Multi-Watershed Monitoring Crew will work with watershed groups across the Southwest to perform vegetation surveying along streamside habitat in 4 watersheds in Colorado, Utah, and Arizona. Watershed groups include the Dolores River Restoration Partnership, Escalante River Watershed Partnership, Friends of the Verde River, and Gila Watershed Partnership of Arizona. Vegetation monitoring is crucial to informing river restoration efforts across these watersheds that have been severely impacted by invasive species and other stressors.

The primary responsibility of this crew is to collect vegetation monitoring and species inventory data according to each watershed’s rapid monitoring protocol. This crew consists of two individuals (1 crew leader and 1 crew member) that will tie in and work closely with field staff from each watershed group in order to collect data. This crew is designed to be flexible to meet the evolving needs of each partnership. Flexibility, adaptability, and the ability to work and manage a crew remotely are essential for this Crew Leader position. While working (i.e. on-hitch), the crew will camp together, prepare all meals together, and work together as a group to complete all projects and chores. Hitch schedules may vary between 4 days on, 3 days off to 8 days on, 6 days off. SCC does not provide accommodations off-hitch and Crew Leaders will be responsible for their own accommodations during that time.

Crew Leaders will lead crews in completing technical conservation projects while instilling interpersonal skills and leadership skills. Crew leaders will also be responsible for leading crews in environmental stewardship, i.e. Leave No Trace, and risk management. A variety of soft skills and technical competencies are required to be successful in this role. See below for core competencies:

Responsibilities:

Integrate values pertaining to DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) within the corps

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

Foster 21st century work skills in corps members, i.e.: collaboration & teamwork, creativity & imagination, critical thinking, problem-solving, flexibility & adaptability

Must be willing to follow and enforce all SCC policies, maintain professional boundaries, and appropriately represent SCC. This includes creating a substance free work environment, refraining from the use of tobacco products, alcohol, and drugs while involved in the program

 

Implement a 10-hour workday and ensure professionalism is always maintained

Delegation of project work & investment among co-leader and crew

Manage the on-the-ground quality and quantity of project work

Think critically to resolve issues and solve problems

Effectively coordinate logistics with project partners, co-leader, & SCC staff

 

Analyze, manage, and inform on hazardous conditions and crew health

Exhibit strong situational awareness & promote a culture of safety

Transport crew and equipment safely in SCC’s vans or large SUVs with trailers

 

Meet all deadlines for documentation, i.e., timesheets, evaluations, incident reports

Record all project related outcomes and deliverables.

Manage food budget and credit card for purchases.

Willingness to commit fully to the program and its mission

Ability to effectively and manage all aspects of crew life and production within a 40-50-hour work week

Flexibility, adaptability and capacity to work in a fluid, changing work environment

Willingness to learn and be a part of a dynamic community of peer leaders

Must be adaptive, patient and able to maintain a positive perspective throughout

Physically capable of standing and walking (at a minimum 6 miles/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

Experience safely operating 4WD trucks on paved and unpaved roads, often in remote areas on unimproved roads. Willingness to constantly teach and demonstrate best driving practices.

Botanical identification training/experience

Must be able to speak, understand and write English

Relevant Bachelor’s degree (preferably in botany, range science, wildlife or conservation biology, natural resource management, ecology, watershed science, environmental science, or other related field)

Must hold current/relevant medical certification (WFR, WEMT, or OEC) with CPR/AED

Must be 21, have a clean driving record (insurable by SCC) and a current driver’s license.

 

Leadership experience with youth or young adults

Experience with SCC or other conservation corps or youth corps

Experience with experiential and/or environmental education

Experience with backpacking, wilderness living and travel, and LNT principles.

Facilitation and team-building experience with diverse groups of people

Strong time-management skills and ability to work independently as well as with others

Strong conflict resolution skills

ArcGIS certification or experience, including use of ArcMap, ArcGIS Online and Arc Collector

Sense of humor, spirit of adventure, and desire to make a positive difference and promote leadership in others

 

Upload resume, cover letter and complete the Crew Leader application

Any questions can be addressed to:

Emily Kasyon, Watershed Programs Coordinator: ekasyon@conservationlegacy.org