Pollinator Crew Individual Placement

Position Title: Pollinator Crew Individual Placement – AmeriCorps (1 Opening)

Conservation Legacy Program: Conservation Corps New Mexico

Site Location: Bureau of Land Management (BLM) – Taos Field Office

1024 Paseo Del Pueblo Sur, Taos NM, 87571

Terms of Service:

• Start Date: 04/6/2026
• End Date: 11/13/2026
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 1200

Purpose:

AmeriCorps is the federal agency for national service and volunteerism. AmeriCorps provides opportunities for Americans of all backgrounds to serve their country, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, and improve lives and communities. Environmental stewardship programs help conserve natural habitats, improve energy efficiency, and protect clean air and water among other environmental efforts.

Conservation Corps New Mexico (CCNM)

As part of Conservation Legacy and an AmeriCorps program, CCNM aims to continue the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930’s. CCNM is focused on connecting youth, young adults, and recent era military veterans with conservation service work projects on public lands. CCNM operates programs across southern New Mexico and western Texas that engage individuals and strengthen communities through service and conservation. The CCNM Las Cruces office manages the Individual Placement Program.

Mentorship

These Individual Placements are unique development AmeriCorps positions. Participants are paired with a local supervisor and gain technical, hands-on experience in the work of these organizations or agencies. Site supervisors commit to facilitate career development; introduce participants to numerous pathways within the conservation field; create meaningful learning opportunities; and provide technical, hands-on experience in the work of these organizations or agencies.

The Bureau of Land Management in partnership with Conservation Corps New Mexico seeks to fill a need for one Pollinator Crew Member out of the Taos BLM Field Office. The BLM Native Plant and Pollinator Program provides expertise in rare and native plant study, wildlife habitat restoration, and native plant materials development. The primary focuses for this position includes but is not limited to landscape-level ecology and wildlife/pollinator habitat management, conducting exploratory surveys on pollinator species across Northern New Mexico, and documenting Special Status Pollinator species within the Taos Field Office. A large portion of the Native Plant and Pollinator Program is dedicated to surveying for and minimizing impacts to special status plant and Pollinator species, Native Plant Material Collection, and Restoration.

The Pollinator Crew Member will serve as a two-person cohort on a project centered around pollinator survey, data collection, and monitoring within the Taos Field Office. Specific duties include but will not be limited to: using standard protocols and survey methods to document native pollinators and their associated native plant communities, identifying pollinator species, and preserving museum quality specimens for future study. This crew will also continue to monitor pre-determined sites and design techniques to improve restoration methods within the Taos Field Office.

Pollinators are essential to the health of many ecosystems, especially in Northern New Mexico, where native plant communities depend on them for reproduction and resilience. However, pollinator populations are declining due to habitat loss, invasive species, and other environmental pressures.  The individual placement will help pilot pollinator studies in Northern New Mexico and identify and prioritize areas where pollinator habitat restoration is most needed. These efforts will enhance plant-pollinator interactions, improve soil stability, and support wildlife heterogeneity.

The Pollinator Crew Member will work directly with the BLM botanist/ecologist and Botany Support Specialist to survey and collect base line data on pollinators and Special Status Pollinator Species within the Taos Field Office. The Pollinator Crew will gain exposure to technical skills in pollinator survey and field techniques, data collection, data management, and preservation of specimens. This position will be based out of a field office managing several resources, such as archeology, wildlife, range, recreation and hydrology. Opportunities to cross-train with other programs will be encouraged. This individual placement will participate in BLM staff meetings and be encouraged to attend networking opportunities, training and webinars, and other professional development opportunities. 

Description of Duties:

• Native Pollinator and Habitat Support
  • Survey and document native pollinator species (e.g., bees, wasps, butterflies, moths) using standardized protocols and methods (ie. pan traps, nets, timed observations)
  • Record habitat conditions and associated native plant communities.
  • Plant Identification
  • Assist with data collection, mapping, and analysis to identify patterns in pollinator presence and diversity.
• Special Status Pollinator Species Study
  • Survey and document Status Species pollinator and host plant species (e.g., Monarchs/milkweed, Silverspot/Bog Violets, Yuma Skipper/Phragmites, Bumblebees) using standardized protocols (ie. pan traps, nets, timed observations)
  • Collect and identify insect specimens to the lowest taxonomic level possible (often genus or species).
  • Collaborate with taxonomic experts or institutions for verification of rare or difficult specimens.
  • Review scientific literature on pollinator ecology, threats, and conservation strategies.
• Specimen Handling, Management, and Preservation
  • Collect, preserve, and label insect specimens following ethical and legal guidelines.
  • Assist in sorting and identifying pollinators to family, genus, or species level using keys and guides.
  • Maintain organized records of observations, specimens, and metadata.
  • Accurately enter field data into spreadsheets or databases.

Conditions:

Outdoor: Driving on uneven terrain; hiking off-trail; exposure to rattlesnakes, insects, extreme heat, and rain; packing up to 40lbs of gear to collection sites; lifting more than 50lbs at one time.

Indoor: Eye and neck strain from using a microscope for extended periods of time, extended periods of sitting.

*Both indoor and outdoor work will be required

Qualifications:

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
• 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
• Valid U.S Driver’s License – Drivers must be over 21 or have had a license for at least 3 years
• Per federal grant requirements, this position is for young adults between the ages of 17-30 (35 for veterans), inclusive, at the time the individual begins term of service
• Minimum of 1 field season working in a biologically relevant field (ecology, botany, range, restoration, etc.)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge or familiarity of Southwest native plants
• Experience with plant identification or insect identification and using technical keys
• Experience with ArcGIS and various ESRI data collection applications (Survey123, FieldMaps)
• Experience driving a 4×4 vehicle in backcountry conditions

Physical Requirements:

• To successfully perform essential functions, the individual is required to sit, stand, walk, speak, hear, etc. May be required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl for significant periods of time and be able to safely lift 25 pounds on a routine basis. He/she must be able to operate office equipment, telephone, and computer and reach with hands and arms
• Ability to hike and navigate in rough terrain
• Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

Participation and Expedition Behavior:

• Work effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions. This may require problem solving on an interpersonal or group level as well as a willingness to accept differences
• Contribute to a safe learning environment, no harassment of others for any reason
• Willingness and ability to complete all aspects of the program including conservation projects, education, training, and national service
• Effectively communicate ideas and concerns as they arise directly to supervisors, colleagues, and organization staff
• Appropriately represent Conservation Corps New Mexico, the BLM and AmeriCorps to the public and partners at all times
• Flexibility, adaptability, and capacity to work in a fluid, changing work

Safety and Judgment: 

• Effectively communicate danger to others in the form of either a warning of danger others may be encountering or a notification of personal distress, injury or need for assistance. Must be able to do so at a distance of up to 50 meters and in conditions with limited visibility or loud background noise such as darkness or high
• Effectively perceive and understand significant and apparent hazards and follow direction by others so that you will be able to successfully execute techniques to manage hazards. These directions may be given before the hazard is encountered or may need to be given during the exposure to the hazard. Ability to respond appropriately to stress or
• Stay alert and focused for several hours at a time while traveling and working in varied weather conditions.
• If taking prescription medications, participants must be able to maintain proper dosage by self- medicating without assistance from

Substance Free:

• In accordance with a drug free workplace, alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in AmeriCorps and program activities and while on organization property.

Background Check:

A DOI background clearance must be completed before the selected candidate may report for service. The BLM will provide instructions for completion of the clearance after a candidate has been selected and will notify them when they have been cleared to start service. This process will determine the participant’s exact start date.

Participants will have access to government facilities and systems, and will be supplied with access to gov’t vehicles, equipment, and materials needed to work on the projects and activities as outlined above. Participants must adhere to all government regulations and policies for operating equipment, vehicles, security awareness, and safety.

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 Monday to Friday, 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.

Orientation and Training:

• Member will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
• Pollinator Survey Protocols
• GIS relevant to project
• Guidance and direction for project activities
• Field training in Plant ID
• Insect identification
• Access to herbarium and taxonomic keys
• Examples of past reports for reference

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $5,176.50
• Living Allowance of $600 per week
• Additional Benefit of $230 per week
• Travel & training budget $1,000
• Public Lands Corps Certificate* (that allows for competitive hiring for USA jobs/government jobs) – available upon successful completion of term
• Health Coverage
• Loan forbearance if Eligible
• Interest Payments if Eligible

 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.

Program Name and Contact Information:

SamJean Simmons Contact information:

ssimmons@conservationlegacy.org

 Consideration will be given as resumes are received and this position may close at any time.

Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to hiring a breadth of diverse professionals and encourage members of diverse groups to apply. This program is available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, marital or parental status, genetic information, and military service. Where a significant portion of the population eligible to be served needs services or information in a language other than English, the recipient shall take reasonable steps to provide written material of the type ordinarily available to the public in appropriate languages.

We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with AmeriCorps requirements. 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.