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NATURE OF PROGRAM:
Rocky Mountain Youth Corps provides job and life skills to participants. Corps members are employees of RMYC and are part of a functioning crew of workers in a group living, field-based (camping) and educational experience. Projects consist of conservation work that may include trail maintenance, fence work, noxious weed eradication, fuels reduction and habitat restoration. The work is physically demanding and requires sustained effort. Education sessions, 7-10 hours during the week, consist of activities and discussions-typically at the crew campsite in the evenings. Weekends provide time for recreational activities, performing personal tasks such as laundry, and moving camp when necessary. Corps members are expected to remain with their crew for the duration of their term of service and participate in all aspects of the program. RMYC crews often camp in remote areas at or near their assigned RMYC vehicle (12 or 15 passenger van, or other large vehicle). Some camping/project circumstances may require extensive backpacking or long distance hiking. Crew leaders may also earn college credits.

Rocky Mountain Youth Corps' programs are drug, alcohol and tobacco free programs (zero tolerance).

CREW ASSIGNMENT:
Upon enrollment, assignments to a conservation corps crew are based on age and experience. Each crew typically consists of one crew leader, two conservation corps mentors and seven corps members. All corps members are expected to abide by RMYC Guidelines. Crew assignments may change without notice to meet program and project needs.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:
The employee in this position will provide leadership and supervision to a crew of 6-8 crewmembers (16-19 or 18-25 years old), under the supervision of the program director and additional support staff, in a residential work session. The position also requires preparation time and post session clean-up and debriefing. The crew leader may perform the duties of this position in several different settings including desert, mountain and alpine environments. The position requires extensive bending, lifting, pushing, stooping, carrying and other heavy physical labor for extended periods of time. The crew leader will be exposed to stressful and physically and mentally demanding situations such as severe weather and a variety of environmental conditions. Crew leaders may be required to carry a backpack with personal and/or group essentials for extended periods of time or long distances. Crew leaders may be required to carry hand tools and equipment for extended periods of time or long distances. The nature of the work environment requires that crew leaders utilize appropriate safety equipment such as leather gloves, hardhat, long pants, long sleeved shirts and protective glasses.

CONSERVATION PROJECTS:
Crew Leaders will be expected to participate fully in all conservation projects. On-site training will be provided when necessary. The types of projects performed by each crew vary with crew schedule and location. Project types may include: trail maintenance, trail construction, fence construction, noxious weed eradication, habitat rehabilitation, park clean-up, fuels reduction and other conservation work. All participants should expect 8-10 hour workdays filled with extremely physically demanding tasks. In the course of an average workday, corps members will be utilizing hand tools to: move rocks, soil or brush; remove stumps or trees; create permanent trail structures; and complete other conservation related activities. In general, projects involve extended standing, stooping or bending at the waist to accomplish tasks. Conservation projects will be physically exhausting. Corps members are in the public eye at all times and will be expected to demonstrate appropriate safety, project and youth corps behavior. Uniforms and safety gear must be worn while working on projects.

EDUCATION:
RMYC's education program is called Seed. Seed includes technical skills workshops, discussions, presentations, activities, games and journaling on a variety of topics. Crews generally spend about 7-10 hours a week in Seed session (1-2 hours nightly). Sessions are facilitated by conservation corps mentors who are trained in facilitation and instructional techniques. The RMYC project specialist, field coordinators, crew leaders, project sponsors, visiting staff, guests and other corps members may facilitate a Seed session or provide additional resources. Seed is designed to foster personal growth, increased understanding of environmental issues, and introduction to key job skills, and other types of training. RMYC values the Seed program as an integral part of its programs. Corps members, mentors, and crew leaders are expected to participate fully in all aspects of the Seed program.

• Support the physical and emotional well being of the crewmembers;
  
  
• Complete daily and weekly documentation of crew activities;
  
  
• Coordinate projects with RMYC project supervisor, project specialist, and project sponsor;
  
  
• Report regularly to the program director;
  
  
• Meet with visiting staff and complete crew visit checklist;
  
  
• Plan, organize and facilitate supplemental training and education activities;
  
  
• Perform duties expected of any corps member including trail work, meal preparation, cleanup/setup, and other day-to-day duties;
  
  
• Plan and coordinate approval of crew recreational activities and travel with program director;
  
  
• Conduct routine vehicle/driver, camp and project safety audits to uphold the RMYC risk management program;
  
  
• Participate in RMYC crew leader training workshops, field training and mid session training as requested;
  
  
• Adhere to and enforce rules and regulations as specified in the RMYC Employee Guidelines Handbook;
  
  
• Uphold RMYC personnel management protocols;

WEEKLY WORK SCHEDULE:
The project schedule typically requires crews to work a full 40- hour week. This work schedule may be modified due to weather, logistics or other unforeseen circumstances. A typical day begins around sunrise with breakfast followed by a stretching and safety circle. Crews then proceed to their work site and begin working through the day. Corps members should expect to work hard and consistently throughout the day. Upon returning from the work site, corps members complete assigned community duties, eat dinner and participate in educational activities following the guidelines and resources in RMYC's education program called Seed 1-2 hours nightly. Lights out is at least 8 hours prior to the predetermined wake-up time.

WEEKEND ACTIVITIES:
Weekends provide time for laundry, showers, re-supply, moving camp and approved recreational opportunities. Crews may pack up camp on Friday and travel to a nearby town for laundry and showers. In general, weekend recreation depends on crew timeliness in regards to re-supply, travel, showers and laundry. Crew leaders are responsible for all participants throughout the entire crew session, including off-project activities and weekends.

Crew recreation activities and travel must be approved by program director. All RMYC corps members, mentors, and crew leaders are expected to remain with their crews for the duration of the term of service, including off-project activities and weekends.

• Leadership experience with young adults ages 16-25.
  
  
• Familiarity with basic conservation skills including tool maintenance. Professional conservation, construction or landscaping experience preferred, but not required. Training in trail construction, camping, cooking and other technical skills will be provided as necessary.
  
  
• Knowledge of Corps model; ability to implement RMYC policies and procedures.
  
  
• Proficiency in low impact camping techniques.
  
  
• Strong organizational skills, ability to work independently, self-motivated and confident.
  
  
• Ability to clearly and effectively communicate written and orally.
  
  
• Appropriate risk management skills.
  
  
• Wilderness First Aid and CPR certification a minimum. More advanced certifications preferred.
  
  
• Clean driving record (Driver's License background check required).
  
  
• Clean criminal background check (Federal and State background check required).
  
  
• High School diploma or GED required. Relevant Bachelor's Degree preferred.
  
  
• Ability to meet physical and work environment demands of the position.
  
  
• Must be at least 21 years old (RMYC driving insurance policy).