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POSITION:
Conservation Corps Member
AGES:
Regional Conservation Corps Members: 16-19
(CO residents)
Continental Divide Trail Alliance Corps Members: 18-25
(nationwide residents)
Colorado Fourteeners Initiative Corps Members: 18-25
(nationwide residents)
Leadership Development Corps Members: 18-25
(nationwide residents)
TIMELINE:
Standard Summer Session: 6/14 - 8/16
Extended Summer Session: 6/14 - 8/23
Regional Conservation Crew Session 1: 6/14 - 7/12
Regional Conservation Crew Session 2: 7/20 - 8/16
Fall Session: 8/24 - 10/4
COMPENSATION:
Regional Conservation Corps Members:
$1,120 total for a four week session from either:
6/14 - 7/12, or 7/20 - 8/16, 2008 ($280 per week)
Continental Divide Trail Alliance, Colorado Fourteeners Initiative, and Leadership Development Corps Members:
$2,700 total for a nine week session from 6/14 - 8/16,
$3,000 total for a ten week session from 6/15 - 8/23,
$ 4,800 total for a sixteen week session from 6/14 - 10/4
($300 per week)
Plus: Food, lodging, transportation, educational opportunities, and potential for AmeriCorps Education Award upon successful completion of term of service**
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 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. Educational hours, 7-10 during the week, consist of activities and discussions. 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 generally camp in semi-remote areas at or near RMYC vehicles (12 or 15 passenger van, or other large vehicle). Corps members may also earn college credits and may be eligible for an AmeriCorps Education Award.
Rocky Mountain Youth Corps' programs are drug, alcohol and tobacco free programs (zero tolerance).
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
The corps member 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 corps member will be exposed to stressful and physically and mentally demanding situations such as severe weather and a variety of environmental conditions. Corps members may be required to carry a backpack with personal and/or group essentials for extended periods of time or long distances. Corps members 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 corps members utilize appropriate safety equipment such as leather gloves, hardhat, long pants, long sleeved shirts and protective glasses.
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.
CONSERVATION PROJECTS:
Corps members 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" (Service and Environmental Education). 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. 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.
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 " ("Service and Environmental Education") 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 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. All RMYC corps members, mentors, and crew leaders are expected to remain with their crews for the duration of the terms of service, including off-project activities and weekends.
TRAVEL:
RMYC crews travel frequently throughout each week. Crews utilize assigned RMYC vehicle (12 or 15 passenger van, or other large vehicle) to meet their travel needs. RMYC crews often utilize a trailer for crew gear. Personal vehicles are not allowed, and must be stored prior to crew session. In addition to work related travel, crews are expected to travel to nearby towns for re-supply, showers and laundry. Travel time may also include travel to and from recreational sites. RMYC trained and certified drivers are solely responsible for vehicle operation.
LIVING/CAMPING:
RMYC crews often camp 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. All corps members sleep in tents, separated by gender. An outdoor kitchen with propane stove, coolers and food boxes are provided for meals and storage for food. Special dietary requirements are difficult to meet and must be disclosed by the corps member prior to arrival. Vegetarian options are generally provided at each meal if corps members communicate their needs. Vegan or other dietary restrictions are difficult to accommodate. Bathroom facilities range from campground pit toilets to latrines or 'cat holes' following "Leave-No-Trace" guidelines. RMYC crews are functioning communities. Each corps member is expected to complete tasks that benefit the entire crew. Assigned duties may include meal preparation and clean up, kitchen clean up, camp set-up/break-down, tool maintenance, vehicle inspection, and other communal duties as required.
REGULATIONS:
RMYC believes in healthy lifestyles modeling. Therefore the possession or use of alcohol, drugs, and tobacco are strictly prohibited. Violation of this and other non-negotiable rules will result in termination. Other non-negotiable rules include possession of weapons, violent behavior, sexual harassment, unauthorized leave and theft. The RMYC Employee Guidelines Handbook will be provided upon enrollment.
MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT:
The corps member is responsible for work and personal clothes, leather boots, work gloves, and personal camping equipment. Group food, group camping gear and other supplies will be provided by RMYC. A complete Equipment List will be provided upon employment.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Corps members should lead physically active lives prior to becoming a member of their crew. Training in trail construction, camping, cooking and other technical skills will be provided as necessary. Corps members should be accustomed to physical labor and/or cardiovascular activity for sustained periods of time.
AmeriCorps ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Upon successfully completing their terms of service, conservation corps members may be eligible to receive an Education Award from AmeriCorps. Education Awards can be used to pay back qualified student loans and to pay for the cost of attending a qualified institution of higher education or the expenses incurred in participation in an approved school-to-work program (not all schools are eligible). Minimum requirements are as follows:
- 17-25 years old.
- United States Citizen, United States National or Lawful Permanent Resident Alien of the United States.
- High School Diploma/GED or agreement to work towards a diploma or GED while in the program.
- Intent to serve for the duration of the program.
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