Overview

Our affinity crews create an inclusive space for groups that have been under-represented to gain hands-on experience, technical skills training, professional, and personal development. These crews foster a safer, more comfortable learning environment where participants are able to maximize their opportunities to grow and develop. The Leaders of Cultural Diversity crew seeks to create a safe, non-judgmental, and inclusive space for members of the BIPOC community. As such, the Leaders of Cultural Diversity crew provides an open and supportive space where BIPOC members serve with, learn from, and grow along side one another as members gain trainings and certifications in chainsaw, wilderness first aid, and trail construction. The crew will also emphasize leadership and professional development (i.e. managing projects and communicating with project partners), as well as interpersonal development (i.e. restorative justice and trauma informed care).

As an AmeriCorps program participant with the Southwest Conservation Corps, your office is the great outdoors! Each crew consists of 6 members and 2 leaders. Crews serve and camp for up to 8 days at a time in either front country (access to your crew vehicle and trailer), or backcountry (hiking all your supplies in with backpacks) locations, in all types of weather conditions. You will serve as a member of the crew; perform heavy manual labor, and complete conservation projects using a variety of manual and power tools. You will a participate in environmental education activities. Risk management is of utmost importance, and all procedures must be followed at all times.

Projects include hazardous fuels reduction, corridor clearing, trail maintenance and construction, habitat restoration and fencing, re-vegetation 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.

Schedules generally are 8-days on and 6 off. There is a possibility you could serve 4-days on and 3-days off, or a variation of schedules requiring all AmeriCorps crew members to show flexibility. SCC does not provide housing on your off days.

All crews will go through an unpaid, 5-day orientation: 8/29 – 9/2. Food, transportation, and space to camp is provided for this training.

Required Skills & Experience

Qualifications:

• To qualify, you must be between the ages of 18 and 30
• Must be a BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, Person of Color) community member
• Regularly lift and/or move up to 50 lbs.
• A US citizen that has received (or on track to receive) a high school diploma or GED
• All offers of employment are conditional upon completion of an acceptable check of the National Sex Offender Public Registry and federal criminal background check.

Participant Essential Eligibility Requirements

Essential eligibility requirements for the program must be met. If you are unable to meet certain requirements, we may be able to assist you with some modification unless it alters the fundamental nature of the program, compromises the health and safety of participants or staff, or places an undue financial or administrative burden on the organization.

Participant and Expedition Behavior

• Serve effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions
• Willingness and ability to complete all aspects of the program
• Contribute to a safe learning environment, no harassment of any kind
• Appropriately represent SCC and AmeriCorps to the public and project partners at all time

Risk Management and Judgement

• Effectively follow direction by others, so that you will be able to successfully manage hazards
• Ask clarifying question when you do not understand a task
• Maintain focus during day, both while traveling and serving in varied weather conditions.
• If taking prescription medications, participants must be able to maintain proper dosage without assistance from others.

Environmental Ethics & Outdoor Skills

• Learn and safely perform fundamental outdoor living and skills as appropriate to the project.
• Live in a physically demanding, possibly remote environment for an uninterrupted period of up to several weeks