Watershed Strike Team Crew Leader

Title: Watershed Strike Team Crew Leader (Formally known as the DRRP Strike Team)

Conservation Legacy Program: Southwest Conservation Corps Four Corners

Reports to: Watershed Programs Coordinator

Location: Based out of Durango, CO.

Dates of Employment: April 6, 2026- November 13, 2026

Status: Seasonal, Full-time, Camping Program

Wages: $1025-$1125/week, depending on prior experience and certifications

Benefits: Health Benefit Eligible

5 paid days off structured in August between seasons

3 additional days of PTO

Food provided while in the field

Uniforms and protective equipment

Access to Mental Health Consultant and Employee Assistance Program

Training: U.S. Forest Service recognized Chainsaw training (Certificate awarded upon completion of program)

Colorado pesticide applicator examination and licensure

Leadership skills trainings

Housing: SCC will provide camping location for leaders and CLDP's during the spring season. Off-hitch accommodation will not be provided during the regular season. Host-housing and a partnership with a local hostel may be available during the off-hitch. More information will be provided during the interview process.

Deadline: Application closes December 31, 2025

Program Summary
The Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC) is a program of the non-profit service organization, Conservation Legacy, that is built on the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) that operated from 1933 – 1942. SCC provides youth and young adults opportunities to complete conservation projects on public lands. While serving with SCC, members receive training in job skills, conflict resolution, leadership, teamwork, and environmental stewardship. Programs are developed using a step ladder approach to provide a progression of skill development based on a member's needs. Members receive a weekly living allowance, training, and an AmeriCorps Education Award (for qualifying individuals).

Position Summary
The Watershed Strike Team Crew Leader position is an opportunity to make a difference in young peoples' lives while completing conservation projects on public and private lands. Leaders will be mentors, educators, and facilitators for young adults, working to promote the health and resiliency of our land, air, and water.

Standard schedule generally consists of 4 days on-hitch (out in the field as a crew unit) and 3 days off with some exceptions. Crew Leaders may also be required to come in for an additional day each hitch cycle to complete administrative duties and check-ins with program staff. On-hitch, crews camp together, prepare all meals together, and work together as a group to complete all projects and chores.

The Watershed Strike Team Crew Leader position requires patience, a consistently positive mental attitude, mentorship, technical aptitude, focus on efficiency, and a high level of competence in the outdoors. It also involves an administration role, where weekly paperwork is due in a timely manner to supervisors. Finally, crew leaders must exhibit the ability to effectively work on dynamic teams and those from a variety of communities.

This Strike Team will work with the Montrose County invasive weed management program and as part of the Dolores River Restoration Partnership (DRRP) and other watershed restoration projects as available. The DRRP is a public-private collaborative of conservation corps, non-profits, BLM managers, private landowners, and other community members surrounding the Dolores River watershed. The DRRP is in year 15 of an ambitious effort to treat invasive plant species along 175 miles of the Dolores River corridor. The primary responsibilities of this crew are to treat noxious weeds, maintain and participate in revegetation activities such as seeding and planting, collect vegetation monitoring and survey data, and perform general restoration activities as needed. This crew is designed to be flexible to meet the evolving needs of Montrose County and the DRRP. Flexibility and adaptability are essential for this Strike Team leader position.

This crew leader will be responsible for leading a 2 to 3-person crew (1 leader, 1-2 members). While working (i.e. on-hitch), the crew will camp together, prepare all meals together, and work together as a group to complete all projects and chores. Hitch schedules may vary between 4 days on/ 3 days off, 5 days on/ 2 days off, or 8 days on/ 6 days off. SCC does not provide accommodation off-hitch, and Crew Leaders will be responsible for their own accommodation during that time.

SCC's Conservation Crew Leaders will spend 7 weeks in a crew leader training period alongside fellow Crew Leaders, CLDPs and SCC Staff, which will include a SCC leadership skills week, chainsaw and crosscut training, pesticide applicator testing, administrative training, and prep weeks, in addition to project work.

Responsibilities
Crew Leaders will lead crews in completing technical conservation projects while instilling interpersonal skills and leadership skills. Crew leaders will also be responsible for leading crews in environmental stewardship, i.e. Leave No Trace, and risk management. A variety of soft skills and technical competencies are required to be successful in this role. See below for core competencies:

Leadership & Mentorship

• Manage, supervise, and lead the day-to-day details of project work
• Implement skills training on work-site and facilitate intentional discussions via informal lessons to contribute to the crew's personal growth and group dynamics
• Mentor crew: provide valuable feedback, give opportunities for growth, delegate responsibilities, and encourage technical and leadership skill development.
• Promote individual corps member development and a safe, healthy, cohesive, other-centered and team-oriented community.
• Follow and enforce all policies, maintain professional boundaries, and appropriately represent the program. This includes creating a substance free work environment, refraining from the use of tobacco products, alcohol, and drugs while involved in the program.

• Project Management, Safety & Implementation

• Train, motivate and supervise a crew of young adults to efficiently complete tasks and objectives outlined in conservation projects, while working long hours and managing high quality work and crew morale.

• Think critically to resolve issues and solve problems, requesting help when needed