Adult Crew Leader in Development (CLDP) – AmeriCorps

Position Title: Adult Crew Leader in Development (CLDP) – AmeriCorps  

Conservation Legacy Program: Southwest Conservation Corps 

Site Location: Los Valles Office (Salida, CO): 701 E Rainbow Blvd. Salida, CO 81201 

Terms of Service: 

Start Date: 04/28/2026 

End Date: Options for 8/13/26 or 10/29/2026

AmeriCorps Term Classification: 900 Hours 

Purpose: 

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. 

The SCC Los Valles (SCCLV) office serves the Upper Arkansas River Valley and the San Luis Valley: the two valleys, or los valles. SCCLV’s office is in Salida, CO, with satellite operations in Alamosa, CO. Our region offers youth and young adult programming The SCCLV Adult Program engages motivated young adults, ages 18 – 30, to complete challenging and impactful conservation and service projects. Projects may include trail construction & maintenance, wilderness conservation, habitat improvement, invasive species mitigation, hazardous fuels reduction, habitat restoration, and local environmental service projects.  Crews may also complete technical and/or specialized projects depending on project partner needs, including disaster relief if the opportunity arises. 

This is an entry level position focused on development. We welcome applications from candidates who may not have all the skills listed below. This position provides extensive training during the spring season, meant to prepare CLDPs for leading summer and fall crews. This position is an opportunity to make a difference in young people’s lives. CLDPs will be mentors, educators, and facilitators for young adults, working to increase resiliency, build confidence, and to be positive role models for their members.   

The Crew Leader Development Program (CLDP) is an AmeriCorps Program that consists of two phases. The first phase focuses on orientation, training and development; the second phase focuses on implementation and continued leadership development. This AmeriCorps position requires that the participant spends 4 weeks in a crew leader training period, which will include a Leadership skills week, Chainsaw training, technical trails training, and prep weeks. Each CLDP will be paired with an experienced crew leader who will provide mentorship and support to them through a goal setting process and CLDP development plan. CLDPs are responsible for assisting Crew Leaders in ensuring the physical safety and emotional well-being of their crew. Based on their own skills and experience, CLDP’s may take an active role with project management, help create and implement member development and educational opportunities and assisting the crew leader with completing required hitch paperwork. Crews will complete a variety of local conservation and community projects. 

Description of Duties: 

This position is an opportunity to make a difference in young peoples’ lives while completing conservation projects on public and private lands. This position is responsible for helping oversee a crew of 8: crews will consist of 6 members, 1 Crew Leader in Development (CLDP), and a crew leader. Crews may work in front and backcountry locations in all weather conditions.  

The standard schedule consists of 8 days on-hitch and 6 days off hitch, with some exceptions. During the 8-days on-hitch, crews camp together, prepare all meals together, and work together as a group to complete all projects and chores. During the 6-days off hitch leaders and crews are responsible for their own accommodations.   

This position requires a high degree of flexibility and a passion for working with others outdoors.  

SCCLV 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: 

• Chainsaw crews – Serve primarily in front country settings, focusing on sustainable forestry and fuels reduction.
• Conservation/Trail crews – Serve in both backcountry and front country settings, focusing on trails and a variety of conservation projects, including invasive species removal with the potential to use herbicide.
• Wilderness Trail crews – Serve primarily in the backcountry settings focusing on clearing downed trees using crosscut saws, performing trail maintenance, and restoring landscapes in remote Wilderness areas.

Responsibilities & Core Competencies:    

Leadership & Mentorship    

• Model strong collaboration, creativity, communication, problem solving and conflict resolution skills
• Learn from Crew Leader throughout the season, progressively taking on more leadership throughout the season.
• Routinely check-in with Crew Leader to create and maintain a culture of feedback
• Follow all SCC policies, maintain professional boundaries, and appropriately represent Southwest Conservation Corps and AmeriCorps. This includes creating a substance free work environment, refraining from the use of alcohol and drugs while participating in the program.

Project Management & Implementation    

• Assist with instructing, training & motivating a crew to complete high quality technical conservation projects.
• Implement a 10-hour workday and ensure professionalism is maintained at camp.
• Delegate project work & camp chores.
• Effectively coordinate logistics with project partners, co-leader, & SCC staff. 

Safety & Risk Management    

• Monitor, manage, and promote crew’s physical and emotional safety on and off the work site.
• Exhibit strong situational awareness at worksite and campsite.
• Transport crew and equipment safely in SCC’s vans and large SUVs with trailers.

Environmental Stewardship  

• Must have a genuine enjoyment and desire to care for the land while living and working outdoors in a variety of environmental conditions.
• Desire to learn the technical skills needed to effectively maintain public lands.

Qualifications: 

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident
• At least 17 years of age
• Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of elementary or secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant, and agrees to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.
• Must have had a driver’s license for 3 consecutive years with a clean driving record (insurable by SCC), and a current driver’s license.
• For leading crews with a chainsaw component: ability to test out at an A-level in chainsaw skills during crew leader training season.
• Outdoor leadership experience with youth and/or young adults.

Time Requirements: 

• Typically, this position is expected to serve 8 days, serving 10 hours each day, followed by 6 days off, but exact service schedules may vary. 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.
• Physically fit and able to serve 40-50 hour work weeks

Orientation and Training: 

• Member will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
• Trainings provided may include: Forest Service recognized Chainsaw training, Technical Trails training, leadership skills trainings and possibly USFS recognized Crosscut training.
• Wilderness Medicine: CLDP members will be provided Wilderness First Aid with CPR/AED Training

Benefits: 

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $3,697.50 available at completion of service term. Award amount dependent on length of service term.
• Living Allowance of $485/week
• Additional Benefit of $200/week

Other Benefits:  

• Food, uniforms, PPE provided while in the field
• Access to Employee Assistance Program
• Scheduled days off in August between seasons

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. 

Other Considerations: 

• Having a vehicle is important for this position to transport yourself between your living arrangement and our work bases in Salida, CO and Alamosa, CO.
• The ability to live, work, and camp in rural Colorado is necessary. Weather can be extreme and variable throughout the year.
• SCCLV will start reviewing applications on January 15, 2026.  Please do not expect an interview or communication before that time.
• A shortened leader season is possible if you are unable to commit through October – inquire during your interview.

Supervisor Name and Contact Information: 

Program Director Contact information: 

Alix Jensen, ajensen@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.