Assistant Crew Leader – Fire and Saw

Position Title: CCNM 2025 Fall Fire&Saw Assistant Crew Leader 

Conservation Legacy Program: Conservation Corps New Mexico  

Site Location:  

CCNM Office  

560 N. 17th Street 

Las Cruces, NM 88005 

Terms of Service: 

Start Date: 08/25/2025 

End Date: 12/12/2025 

AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 675 hrs 

Purpose: 

Conservation Corps New Mexico (CCNM) engages motivated young adults, ages 18 – 30, to complete challenging and impactful conservation and service projects throughout the western United States. CCNM crews serve in a variety of National Parks, National Forests, and other public areas. Projects may include trail construction & maintenance, habitat improvement, hazardous fuels reduction, historic preservation, chemical and mechanical invasive plant removal, and local environmental service projects. CCNM provides opportunities for members to learn about the local environment and conservation issues throughout the duration of the program. Selected members are placed on a crew that will then collaborate to perform project work. 

Project: 

The Fire Mitigation and Chainsaw Crew will work with the Gila National Forest on a variety of forest management, fire mitigation, and prescribed burn (climate conditions permitting) projects.  

Project work may include, but is not limited to: 

• Hazard tree removal and sawyer work, including felling, bucking, limbing, swamping, etc.
• Fire prep-work such as creating and maintaining fire breaks and fuels reduction projects
• Invasive species removal
• Timber stand improvement
• Trail improvement

Training will include: 

• S-212 (or equivalent) chainsaw training
• ICS-100 Introduction to ICS
• IS-700 NIMS Introduction
• S-130 Basic Wildland Firefighting
• S-190 Basic Wildland Fire Behavior
• Red Card opportunity (requires passing the arduous level pack test)
• Basic First Aid/CPR or Wilderness First Aid/CPR

Description of Duties: 

Assistant Crew Leaders (ACL) are responsible for facilitating a positive crew member experience by setting an example of enthusiasm throughout work and camp life. The ACL works in tandem with the Crew Leader (CL) to communicate directions, project specifications, and constructive criticism throughout the term of service. The ACL will expand their role, learn leadership strategies, and assume management duties including filling in for the CL in project relations or completing paperwork when needed. 

Program Expectations:   

• Commitment – CCNM participants must commit to all aspects of the program, including conservation projects, education, training, and other crew activities.
• Safety – All participants are required to participate in a culture of safety on their crew during all program activities by being aware of and adhering to program policies, as well as fostering an atmosphere of wellness in the program.
• Professionalism – Participants must be willing to follow all CCNM policies, maintain professional boundaries, and appropriately represent CCNM.
• Teamwork – Members must be willing to engage in collaboration, respect others, and assist in making group decisions.
• Technology – Projects are often in remote locations. The use of technology will be limited.
• Substance Free – Participants MUST be willing and able to refrain from alcohol and drugs while participating in the CCNM program.

Qualifications: 

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
• At least 18 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
• Ability to successfully pass the Arduous Pack Test (3-mile hike with 45-pound pack in 45 minutes)

Assistant Crew Leader Preferred Qualifications: 

• Prior AmeriCorps service and experience with backpacking, wilderness travel, camp management and outdoor leadership preferred
• Chainsaw operation (felling/bucking) and maintenance experience
• Flexibility, adaptability, and capacity to work in a changing environment, including willingness to work a varying schedule. This position could also be deployed for national disaster relief, outside the region, for multiple weeks.
• Excellent communication, teaching/mentoring, and conflict resolution and team-building skills
• Valid driver’s license and an insurable driving record
• Relevant bachelor’s degree

Physical Requirements: 

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. Some positions may require periodic overnight travel, non-traditional hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. 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. 

Time Requirements: 

• Typically, this position is expected to serve Tuesday to Tuesday, but exact service schedules may vary. A half-hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service.
• This position generally entails an 8 days on / 6 days off hitch schedule. Time off will not be permitted during hitches, and members/leaders are expected to plan accordingly. Exceptions can be made for emergencies.
• Members may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.
• Prior to their start date, selected members must begin their background check process and complete online enrollment duties.

Orientation and Training: 

• Members will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
• Training will also focus on topics such as Wilderness First Aid, Leave No Trace, outdoor living, crew culture, and goal setting.
• Depending on project needs, crews have possible specialized opportunities for instruction in herbicide, crosscut saw, chainsaw, or other specialized equipment use.
• Informal training will continue throughout the term in areas including tool maintenance, plant identification, and overview of public land management agencies.

Benefits: 

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $2817.14
• Living Allowance of $480 per week
• Additional Benefit of $195 per week
• Childcare Coverage if eligible
• Loan forbearance if eligible
• Interest Payments if eligible
• Food budget while on project

Housing:  

CCNM is an independent, non-residential program – we do not provide housing. It is advised that all members supply their own outdoor gear and equipment such as a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, day pack, multi-day pack, work pants, hiking/work boots, etc. because rental supplies are limited and given out on a first-come first-served basis. A suggested gear list will be provided before starting the term of service. CCNM will provide the tools, personal protective gear, crew meal budget, and project transportation. Additionally, CCNM has Pro Deals opportunities to receive discounts on some outdoor gear brands. 

Evaluation and Reporting: 

As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of hours, satisfactorily completed assignments, and 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. 

Any questions can be addressed to:   

Genevieve Tucker 

Crew Program Director 

gtucker@conservationlegacy.org 

We will be collecting applications on a rolling basis until July 9th and early applications are highly encouraged. 

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.