Land Conservation Corpsmember

Land Conservation Crew Members (called Corpsmembers) serve on environmental stewardship projects throughout the Southern Front Range region. Corpsmembers will be enrolled in AmeriCorps—a national community service program. No experience is required! We will provide you with hands-on training related to all projects.

• This position reports to Program Coordinator: Land Conservation
• Service location: 417 E. Vermijo Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Position open until: May 16, 2025     

Compensation and Benefits:

• Biweekly Stipend – Earn a living stipend of $1,120 before taxes paid every 2 weeks
• Leadership Opportunities available: Corpsmember Drivers are eligible for a living stipend of $1,140. Returning Corpsmembers earn $1,160.  More information is  available on request.
• AmeriCorps Education Award – Earn a scholarship upon successful completion of service. This award can be used to pay future tuition, pay back qualifying student loans or go on an expedition through a wilderness school! Corpsmembers have 7 years to use the award
• Student Loan Forbearance – Corpsmembers can apply to put their qualified federal student loans on hold during their term through the National Service Trust.
• Counseling – Corpsmembers receive up to 5 free mental health counseling sessions per year plus additional services through a Member Assistance Program.
• Networking – Corpsmembers have opportunities to network with federal, state and local natural resources professionals and access to a vast alumni network!
• Training – Depending on crew assignments, Corpsmembers will receive training in one or more stewardship skillsets, including First Aid/CPR, S-212 Wildland Fire Chainsaws (required for sawyers), trail building and maintenance, and herbicide application.

Crew Type Descriptions:

• Chainsaw – primarily complete invasive tree removal and wildland fire mitigation projects.
• Trail/Hand – primarily complete trail maintenance and construction, fence construction and repair, ecological restoration, and other park development projects.
• Fence Removal – primarily completes abandoned fence removal projects on public lands to improve big game migration corridors.
• Day – complete projects in nearby locations, starting and ending each day at the MHYC warehouse. Day crews are ideal for projects close to urban areas or easily accessible sites. Four lunches provided by MHYC per week.
• Camping – complete projects further away from the MHYC warehouse, setting up camp near the project site and your vehicles to minimize travel time. Nine meals provided by MHYC per week.
• Backpacking – complete projects that are in remote areas that are difficult to access with vehicles. These projects require members to complete a strenuous hike in to establish a base camp. Due to the remote nature of these sites, backpacking crews complete longer-duration projects for 8 consecutive days. Twenty- one meals provided by MHYC over the course of the 8-day project.

MHYC is committed to hiring candidates with unique backgrounds and perspectives. If you are interested in this position but are concerned that you do not meet all of the requirements or possess all of the necessary skills,   or that prior convictions or your background might disqualify you, we highly encourage you to submit an application anyway.

Qualifications:

• Must be physically fit, able to lift 50 lbs., spend 8-10 hours a day in all weather conditions (e.g., sun, heat, wind, rain, etc.) and hike up to 7 miles with a day pack.
• Able to be on time and maintain consistent attendance throughout term of service. Must commit to complete the program.

Requirements:

• Between the ages of 18-24.
• High school or GED/HSE graduate or still enrolled
• Must be eligible for enrollment in AmeriCorps as a US Citizen, National or Lawful Permanent Resident. Documentation will be required on the first day. Must bring identification documents necessary to complete the I-9 and other forms on your first day.
• Pre-service National Service Criminal History Check
• Corpsmembers must not engage in any prohibited activities as listed in the AmeriCorps Member Service Agreement.

Visit our website at www.milehighyouthcorps.org and click “Apply Now”

Questions? Email rosem@mhyc.net.

Mile High Youth Corps is committed to diversity in principle and practice, both in the community at large and within the organization. We are, therefore, committed to having our internal operations and employment practices administered on a non-discriminating basis inclusive of, but not limited to, race, color, hairstyle (hair texture, hair type, or a protective hairstyle that is commonly or historically associated with race), sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, and breast feeding) or gender, age, religion (including, but not limited to, religious dress and grooming practices), pregnancy, color, creed, citizenship, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, mental or physical disability, medical condition, veteran status, military or veteran status, family care or leave status, familial status, marital status, sexual orientation, sexual and reproductive health decisions, gender identity, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state or local laws (together, these are referred to as “Protected Characteristics”), including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended. Every effort shall be made to grant reasonable accommodation for qualified people with disabilities to participate in this AmeriCorps program.