Youth Conservation Corps Fall Crew Lead

Details

• This is a seasonal, full-time position from August 24, 2026 to December 11, 2026
• Compensation: $18/hour (40 hours per week), Wilderness First Aid certification, and professional development opportunities
• Schedule: Monday-Friday; classroom day Mondays, project work days Tuesdays-Thursdays, field trip Fridays; camping trip 9/28 – 10/1
• To Apply: Fill out the Google Form here by August 1, 2026
• Contact: Email ycc@cottonwoodgulch.org with any questions

Since 1926, Cottonwood Gulch Expeditions (CGE) has created transformative outdoor experiences that foster personal growth, build community, and inspire a lifelong connection to the natural world. In 2018, CGE created a residential summer YCC program funded by the U.S. Forest Service for young adults to participate in conservation work in a similarly immersive environment to CGE’s summer treks for youth ages 8-18. In 2025, CGE received funds from the New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) to create a brand-new fall YCC program for New Mexico residents to get involved in this meaningful work here in Albuquerque.

Our fall YCC empowers and inspires New Mexican young adults ages 18-25 to become leaders, conservationists, and educators over the course of 15 weeks. Crew Leads will collaborate with the full-time YCC Program Manager to lead conservation projects at our partner project sites and co-facilitate life and career skills training for the crew. Crew Leads will begin work one week before the crew begins, on 8/24/26 and will conclude on 12/11/26, with paid holidays off on Labor Day, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Thanksgiving, and the day after Thanksgiving; sick leave is available upon request, subject to supervisor approval. Crew Leads are responsible for driving CGE vehicles.

Responsibilities

• Support final preparations for the fall YCC program, one week before the crew begins
• Lead conservation projects for crew at partner sites, occasionally without supervision
• Co-facilitate life and career skills training modules with YCC Program Manager and guest facilitators; provide feedback, mentorship, and support to crew members
• Drive crew members and tools to and from partner sites in CGE vehicles
• Further our educational mission by supporting CGE field educators on conservation day trips with school students and support crew members to develop educational skills

Ideal candidates will have…

• Experience working on and/or leading conservation crews in hands-on project work
• Experience safely handling trail tools, wearing PPE, and teaching safe tool use
• Experience working outdoors in the high desert environment/Southwest/New Mexico
• Experience camping, using outdoor recreation gear, and teaching outdoor living skills
• Experience working in environmental/outdoor education with youth or young adults
• Experience driving passenger and cargo vehicles in a work setting

Eligibility

Applicants must be:

• Between 21 and 25 years old at time of hire
• Able to safely drive CGE passenger vehicles and work trucks, with a valid driver’s license
• New Mexico residents, see our website for a list of accepted documents to verify residency
• Have a valid U.S. Social Security number or have applied for a valid Social Security number
• Available to work up to 40 hours per week from August 24 to December 11, 2026
• Available for a 4-day, 3-night campout from September 28 to October 1, 2026 (10/2 off)
• Able to access transportation to and from CGE office (9223 4th St NW, Albuquerque)
• Able to lift up to 50 pounds and walk at least 5 consecutive miles
• Able to fulfill the essential functions of the assigned work with or without reasonable accommodations