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NATURE OF PROGRAM:
Rocky Mountain Youth Corps provides job and life skills to participants. The project specialist is an employee of RMYC and is responsible for assisting the project supervisor, field coordinators and other RMYC staff with project quality control. The project specialist supports the RMYC project supervisor with pre, during, and post project site visits, preparation of project description forms, and technical skills training. When monitoring projects with RMYC crews, the project specialist is expected to participate as a member of a functioning crew of workers in a group living, field-based (camping) and educational experience. RMYC crews often camp in remote areas at or near their assigned RMYC vehicle (12 or 15 passenger van, or other large vehicle). 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. The project specialist's schedule is coordinated and approved by the project supervisor. The project specialist will be in the field for most of the season abiding by and upholding program policies and procedures. A portion of the project specialist's time will involve working at the RMYC offices and conducting solo pre and post project site visits. Time will be provided in the specialist's schedule for participating in crew recreational activities and performing personal tasks such as laundry. Some camping/project circumstances may require extensive backpacking or long distance hiking. Project specialists may also earn college credits.

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

FIELD ASSIGNMENT:
The project specialist reports to the project supervisor and follows a schedule coordinated with the project supervisor. The schedule and process for crew visits will be arranged upon enrollment. Field visit and office tasks may change without notice to meet program and project needs. Project specialists primarily serve as RMYC project quality control. During crew visits, the project specialist will occasionally be relied upon to provide crew member and gear transportation between crew visits. Project specialists are expected to abide by and uphold RMYC Guidelines.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
The employee in this position will provide leadership, technical skills training and logistical support for crews of approximately 10 young adults (16-19 or 18-25 years old), under the supervision of the project supervisor primarily in residential work sessions-occasionally in office based capacities. The position also requires preparation time and post session clean-up and debriefing. The project specialist 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 project specialist will be exposed to stressful and physically and mentally demanding situations such as severe weather and a variety of environmental conditions. The project specialist may be required to carry a backpack with personal and/or group essentials for extended periods of time or long distances. The project specialist 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 the project specialist utilizes appropriate safety equipment such as leather gloves, hardhat, long pants, long sleeved shirts and protective glasses.

CONSERVATION PROJECTS:
The project specialist will be expected to participate fully in all conservation projects with the crews that they visit. The project specialist will monitor projects and provide on-site training 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. The project specialist 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 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. The project specialist, field coordinators, corps members, mentors, and crew leaders are expected to participate fully in all aspects of the Seed program.

WEEKLY WORK SCHEDULE:
The project specialist will remain on session throughout the entire season. The project specialist will follow a crew visit schedule, coordinated with and approved by the project supervisor. The project specialist will be in the field for most of the season abiding by and upholding program policies and procedures. A portion of the project specialist's time will involve working at the RMYC offices and conducting solo pre and post project site visits. Time will be provided in the specialist's schedule for participating in crew recreational activities and performing personal tasks such as laundry. The project specialist will occasionally be relied upon by crews to provide corps member and gear transportation between crew visits. The work schedule may be modified due to weather, logistics or other unforeseen circumstances. A typical day with a crew 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 for crews 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 project specialists, field coordinators, corps members, mentors, and crew leaders are expected to remain with their assigned crews for the duration of the term of service, including off-project activities and weekends.

• Work and camp with crews on a schedule coordinated with the project supervisor;
  
  
• Assist the project supervisor with pre, during and post project site visits;
  
  
• Prepare project description forms;
  
  
• Participate and help facilitate RMYC field coordinator, crew leader, mentor and crew member training workshops, field training and mid session training as requested;
  
  
• Assist with logistical support for crews;
  
  
• Conduct regular project audit meetings with crew leaders (and other staff as necessary);
  
  
• Complete crew, safety, vehicle and project audits as part of crew visit documentation;
  
  
• Report regularly to the project supervisor;
  
  
• Support the physical and emotional well being of all corps members;
  
  
• Plan, organize and facilitate supplemental training and education activities;
  
  
• Perform duties expected of any corps member during crew visits 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;
  
  
• Adhere to and enforce rules and regulations as specified in the RMYC Employee Guidelines Handbook;
  
  
• Uphold RMYC personnel management protocols.

• Corps leadership experience preferred, but not required.
  
  
• Familiarity with corps model and basic conservation skills including tool maintenance.
  
  
• Leadership experience with young adults ages 16-25.
  
  
• Sound judgment and 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).