Santa Fe National Forest Strike Team Leader
Title: Santa Fe National Forest, COVID Response Team - Crew Leader
Reports to: Program Manager
Location: Santa Fe National Forest, New Mexico
Status: Seasonal, Full-time, Non-exempt
Start/end date: March 28, 2022 – October 21, 2022
Wages: $685-$735/week Depending on Experience and Qualifications
Benefits: Health Benefit Eligible, Uniforms, Food provided while in the field, U.S. Forest Service recognized Crosscut & Chainsaw training (Certificate awarded upon completion of program), Technical Trails training, Restorative Justice Approach Training, QPR Suicide Prevention Training, and other development opportunities.
Position open until filled
Southwest Conservation Corps:
The Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC) is a program of the non-profit service organization, Conservation Legacy, that is built on the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) that operated from 1933 – 1942. SCC provides youth and young adults opportunities to complete conservation projects on public lands. While serving with SCC, members receive training on job skills, conflict resolution, leadership, teamwork, and environmental stewardship. Programs are developed using a step ladder approach to provide a progression of skill development based on a member’s needs. Members receive a weekly living allowance, training, and an AmeriCorps Education Award (for qualifying individuals).
For the health and safety of our crews, staff and communities, projects may be postponed or adjusted due to COVID-19. The information provided in this Position Description is an outline of how our program has typically been operating, however is subject to change. As this situation develops, and decisions are made, we will provide updates. We encourage you to continue with the application process and we will keep consistent and direct communication with all applicants.
Position Summary:
The Santa Fe Covid Response Team is a smaller crew, consisting of 1 Leader and 2 Members, the idea behind it being they will be a more mobile crew that can move around the forest easier to respond to unique projects.
Crews work primarily in front country locations in all weather conditions. Standard schedule consists of 5 days on-hitch (8 hours/day) and 2 days off with some exception. On-hitch, crews camp together, prepare all meals together, and work together as a group to complete all projects and chores. SCC does not provide accommodations off-hitch and Crew Leaders will be responsible for their own accommodations during that time. The Crews will be based out of Santa Fe and can expect not to return to SCC’s office during work time.
Crew Leaders will lead crews in completing conservation projects while instilling interpersonal skills and leadership skills. Crew leaders will also be responsible for leading crews in environmental stewardship, i.e. Leave No Trace, and risk management. A variety of soft skills and technical competencies are required to be successful in this role. See below for core competencies:
The Santa Fe National Forest, Covid Response Crew will work with the Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District or the Jemez Ranger District for their season. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Districts received an amount of visitation far beyond the seasonal crew capacity to maintain recreation facilities’ cleanliness, address vandalism repairs, and address resource impacts to dispersed recreation areas. Project work will include, but not limited to: Install signage in highly impacted areas, Replace doors and other structures that were vandalized during closures, Repair damaged picnic tables, Assist with the district’s cleaning schedule to ensure an acceptable state of recreational facilities, Remove trash, and address the immediate 3-5 miles of highly impacted trails.
Responsibilities:
Leadership & Mentorship
- Integrate values pertaining to DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) within the corps
- Implement skills training on worksite and facilitate intentional discussions via informal lessons to contribute to the crew’s personal growth and group dynamics.
- Foster 21st century work skills in corps members, i.e.: collaboration & teamwork, creativity & imagination, critical thinking, problem-solving, flexibility & adaptability
- Must be willing to follow and enforce all SCC policies, maintain professional boundaries, and appropriately represent SCC. This includes creating a substance free work environment, refraining from the use of tobacco products, alcohol, and drugs while involved in the program
Project Management & Implementation
- Train, motivate and supervise a crew of young adults to efficiently complete conservation projects, while working long hours and managing high quality of work and crew morale
- Think critically to resolve issues and solve problems
- Communicate effectively & coordinate logistics with project partners, CLDP, & SCC staff
Safety & Risk Management
- Implement and enforce SCC’s COVID-19 Pandemic Policies and Procedures (provided to applicants during interview process), including mask use, handwashing, and social distancing
- Monitor, manage, and promote the crew’s physical and emotional safety
- Exhibit strong situational awareness & promote a culture of safety
- Transport crew and equipment safely in SCC’s vans or large SUVs with trailers
Administration
- Complete professional documentation of time sheets, daily and weekly field reports, corps member and peer evaluations, restorative justice forms, incident response forms, and project related deliverables
- Manage food budget and credit card for purchases
Minimum Qualifications:
- Willingness to commit fully to the program and its mission
- Full vaccination against COVID-19 by the first day of employment and ability to provide proof of vaccination before starting
- Identify as LGBTQIA2S+
- Must hold current advanced medical certification (WFR, WEMT) with CPR/AED, or receive cert. prior to start date
- Ability to effectively manage all aspects of crew life and production within a 40-50-hour work week
- Flexibility, adaptability, and capacity to work in a fluid, changing work environment
- Willingness to learn and be a part of a dynamic community of peer leaders
- Must be adaptive, patient, and able to maintain a positive perspective throughout
- Able to work long days in adverse conditions
- Must be able to speak, understand and write English
- High School diploma or GED certificate
- Must be 21 years old
- Exhibits the ability to effectively work on diverse teams or with a variety of populations, including those underrepresented at our organization and those of BIPOC communities
Preferred Qualifications or a Strong Desire to Grow in the Following:
- Experience with SCC or other conservation corps or youth corps
- Experience with experiential and/or environmental education
- Experience with backpacking, wilderness living and travel
- Facilitation and team-building experience with diverse groups of people
- Time-management skills and ability to work independently as well as with others
- Strong conflict resolution skills
- Leadership experience with youth or young adults
- Technical trails, Crosscut or Chainsaw experience
- Sense of humor, spirit of adventure, and desire to make a positive difference and promote leadership in others
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. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Any questions can be addressed to:
Lane Tomassini, Four Corners Adult Program Coordinator, ltomassini@conservationlegacy.org
Kristen Hencke, , Four Corners Adult Program Coordinator, khencke@conservationlegacy.org