14er Conservation Crew Member
Position: 14er Conservation Crew Member
Start/ End dates: 5/30/2022 – 10/28/2022
Status: Seasonal, Full-time, Camping Program
Location: Salida, CO
Stipend: $400/week
Ages: 18 – 30
Benefits: $3,247.50 900 hr AmeriCorps Education Award (Value may change depending on term of service), Food provided while in the field, uniform shirts, personal protective equipment. Wilderness First Aid & CPR/AED certification.
About the Position
Colorado is know for its soaring peaks, and none are more famous than those that rise over 14,000 ft in elevation, often referred to as 14ers. As an AmeriCorps participant of one of the Southwest Conservation Corps ‘14er’ crews, your office will be the high alpine environment on the slopes of one of these peaks. Your crew will consist of 6 to 8 members and 2 leaders. Crews serve and camp for 8 days at a time in either frontcountry (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.
Mt Shavano Project
Your crew will spend 6, 8-day hitches (12 weeks in total), serving under the supervision of the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative on a multi-year project to create a more sustainable summit trail on Mt Shavano. Two SCC Crews will be utilized to help complete this project:
Shavano High Site
- Backcountry camping for the duration of the project
- Daily: 4-5 Mile round trip hike to the project site with 2,200 feet of elevation gain
- The day begins at 3:00 AM
- Most days will be spent moving Heavy rocks on steep slopes
- Extreme weather will be encountered
Shavano Low Site
- Frontcountry camping for most of the project
- Daily: 2 Mile round trip hike to the project site with 400 feet of elevation gain
- The day begins at 3:30 AM
- Most days will be spent constructing new trail by hand below tree line
- Hike to the project sight will get longer and steeper as more trail is constructed
Both crews will be preforming some of the most challenging and physically demanding projects performed by the Southwest Conservation Corps. Other projects during the fall season may also include habitat improvement, hazardous fuels reduction, 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 are 8 days on and 6 off. There is a possibility you could serve 5 days on and 2 days off during the fall season. SCC does not provide housing on your off days.
All crews will go through an unpaid, 5 day orientation. Food and space to camp is provided for this training.
Required Skills & Experience
Full vaccination against COVID-19 by the first day of your service term and ability to provide proof of vaccination before starting is required.
Qualifications:
- To qualify, you must be between the ages of 18 and 30
- 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 service are conditional upon completion of an acceptable check of the National Sex Offender Public Registry and state and federal criminal background checks.
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 workday, 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
Substance Free
- In accordance with a drug free program, alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in AmeriCorps and SCC activities, and while on organization property.
SCC Los Valles equity is a core value. To put power behind this statement, we prioritize and encourage opportunities for Black, Indigenous, Queer, Trans, and Women of Color (QTBIPOC). Interested candidates are encouraged to contact ben@conservationlegacy.org for inquiries.