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POSITION:
Conservation Corps Mentor
TIMELINE:
900 hour AmeriCorps term of service: 5/16 - 10/4
450 hour AmeriCorps term of service: 5/16 - 8/16
COMPENSATION:
900 Hour Term:
| Stipend: |
$6,000 for 20 weeks
($300 per week starting 5/18) |
| Award: |
$2,362.50 AmeriCorps Education Award
(upon successful completion of term**) |
450 Hour Term:
(only a few positions in this term)
| Stipend: |
$3,900 for 13 weeks
($300 per week starting 5/18) |
| Award: |
$1,250 AmeriCorps Education Award
(upon successful completion of term**) |
PLUS: Food, lodging, transportation, recreation and education opportunities.
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. 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 employee in this position will mentor a crew of 6-8 crewmembers (16-19 or 18-25 years old), under the supervision of a crew leader and additional support staff, in a residential work session. The mentor 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 mentor will be exposed to stressful and physically and mentally demanding situations such as severe weather and a variety of environmental conditions. Mentors may be required to carry a backpack with personal and/or group essentials for extended periods of time or long distances. Mentors 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 mentors 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. 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.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Conservation corps mentors provide vital service to their crews. By specializing in training and education, mentors should expect to complete essential crew duties as well as key educational duties including:
- Perform duties expected of any corps member including trail work, meal preparation, cleanup/setup, and other day-to-day duties;
- Facilitate daily education activities as developed by and for the RMYC;
- Plan, organize and facilitate supplemental education activities that meet the diverse needs of assigned crew (crew assignments may change without notice);
- Document education activities utilizing curriculum logs and other RMYC report forms;
- Report regularly to supervisory staff concerning educational staff issues;
- Participate in RMYC mentor training workshops and field training as requested;
- Complete Life After AmeriCorps assignments and activities;
- Support RMYC staff and project sponsors as necessary during work sessions;
- Adhere to and enforce rules and regulations as specified in the RMYC Employee Guidelines Handbook;
- Manage nutrition planning including: coordinating menus and purchasing food and supplies.
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 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.
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.
DESIRED MINIUMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Meet AmeriCorps eligibility requirements.
- Experience with national or community service.
- Minimum: High School diploma or GED.
- Preferred: Bachelor's Degree or pursuing BA in natural resources, education or related field.
- Age: 17-25 years old.
- Experience working with people ages 16-25 years.
- Clean criminal background check.
- Strong organizational skills.
- Exceptional skills and knowledge of environmental science and ability to train others.
- Ability to work independently.
- Self-motivated and confident.
- Ability to clearly and effectively communicate written and orally.
- Meet physical and work environment demands of the position.
- Some technical skills including trail work, construction, knowledge of associated tools.
AmeriCorps ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Upon successfully completing their terms of service, conservation corps mentors will 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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