Trail Crew Intern

Title: Trail Crew Intern (2 openings)Start/End Date: January 8, 2024 – July 5, 2024 (anticipated)Term Length: 26 weeksStipend: $500/weekReports To: District Recreation Staff Officer, Glenwood Ranger District – Gila National ForestLocation: 18 Ranger Station Rd, Glenwood, NM 88039Status: 900-hour AmeriCorps Service term; Full-time; 40 hours/weekBenefits: Housing allowance $200/week; Onsite housing provided for about $200 per month – more details will be given during interviews; AmeriCorps Education Award $3,447 and Public Lands Corps Certificate - both with successful completion of the internshipAmeriCorps is the federal agency for national service and volunteerism. AmeriCorps provides opportunities for Americans of all backgrounds to serve their country, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, and improve lives and communities. Environmental stewardship programs help conserve natural habitats, improve energy efficiency, protect clean air and water, and help to mitigate the effects of climate change among other environmental efforts.Conservation Corps New Mexico (CCNM)Conservation Corps New Mexico, a program of Conservation Legacy and AmeriCorps partner, aims to continue the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930's. CCNM is focused on connecting youth, young adults, and recent era military veterans with conservation service work projects on public lands. CCNM operates programs across southern New Mexico and western Texas that engage individuals and strengthen communities through service and conservation. The CCNM Las Cruces office manages the Individual Placement Program.MentorshipThese Individual Placement Positions are unique development opportunities. Interns are paired with a local supervisor and gain technical, hands-on experience in the work of these organizations or agencies. Site supervisors commit to facilitate career development; provide an introduction to numerous pathways within the conservation field; and create accessible, meaningful, learning opportunities andPosition Summary:The Recreation Program of the Glenwood Ranger District in the Gila National Forest oversees the operations and maintenance of all recreation infrastructure that resides within this portion of the Forest. This program aims to provide an array of meaningful recreation opportunities to meet the diverse needs and desires of the recreating public. This district boasts many unique offerings, including the Catwalk National Recreation Trail, the rugged western portion of the Gila Wilderness, Cosmic Campground (International Dark Sky Sanctuary), and the Blue Range Wilderness.The Glenwood RD Recreation Program faces multiple challenges that impact the district’s ability to maintain the recreation infrastructure it is charged with managing. Individually placed interns will provide instrumental support in maintaining the district’s recreation infrastructure. These interns will also contribute to program goals aimed at curtailing those resource impacts which may be linked to inadequate maintenance of district recreation infrastructure. These positions will largely be focused on the completion of maintenance projects on the Catwalk NRT and adjacent Whitewater Picnic Area, two highly visible sites that continue to provide economic opportunities for Glenwood, Alma, Pleasanton, Mogollon, and other surrounding communities.Interns will be part of the current District Recreation Organization and receive training commiserate with that of a seasonal recreation employee. Interns will be guided in daily activities by permanent district recreation staff and receive additional on the job training as project needs dictate. Interns will have opportunities to participate and contribute to project planning sessions, district/forest employee events, and receive exposure to multiple agency professionals/disciplines.Essential Responsibilities and Functions:

Assist in the completion of trail maintenance activities on the Catwalk NRT

Work with supervisor to learn maintenance techniques for developed trail classes.

Complete identified maintenance projects independently or as a member of a trail crew

Participate in the identification and planning of additional trail maintenance projects as required.

Assist in the completion of recreation maintenance activities at the Whitewater Picnic Area

Work with supervisor to learn maintenance techniques for developed recreation sites.

Complete identified maintenance projects independently or as a member of a recreation crew

Participate in the identification and planning of additional recreation maintenance projects as required.

Assist in the completion of trail maintenance activities on the Whitewater Creek Trail

Work with supervisor to learn maintenance techniques for primitive/wilderness trail classes.

Complete identified maintenance projects independently or as a member of a trail crew

Participate in the identification and planning of additional trail maintenance projects as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

Per federal grant requirements, this internship is for young adults between the ages of 18-30 (35 for veterans), inclusive, at the time the individual begins term of service.

Ability to work in remote environments for up to 8 consecutive days at a time.

Position is physically arduous - ability to hike up to 10 miles in one day, carrying loads in excess of 50lbs.

Individual should be self-sufficient, insofar as their ability to adequately pack and prepare for prolonged assignments in these remote environments.

Ability to work safely and be a contributing member to a team/crew.

Preferred Qualifications:

Manual labor experience

Hiking/backpacking experience

Experience working in team settings

First Aid/CPR, WFA/WFR certified

Driver's license

Physical Requirements:

To successfully perform essential functions, the individual is required to sit, stand, walk, speak, hear, etc. May be required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl for significant periods of time and be able to safely lift 50 pounds on a routine basis. He/she must be able to operate office equipment, telephone, and computer and reach with hands and arms.

Ability to hike and navigate in rough terrain.

Reasonable accommodation may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Participant Essential Eligibility Requirements/Participation and Expedition Behavior:

Work effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions. This may require problem solving on an interpersonal or group level as well as a willingness to accept differences.

Contribute to a safe learning environment, no harassment of others for any reason.

Willingness and ability to complete all aspects of the program including conservation projects, education, training, and national service.

Effectively communicate ideas and concerns as they arise directly to supervisors, colleagues, and organization staff.

Appropriately represent Conservation Corps New Mexico, Gila National Forest, and AmeriCorps to the public and partners at all times.

Flexibility, adaptability, and capacity to work in a fluid, changing work environment.

Safety and Judgment:

Effectively communicate danger to others in the form of either a warning of danger others may be encountering or a notification of personal distress, injury or need for assistance. Must be able to do so at a distance of up to 50 meters and in conditions with limited visibility or loud background noise such as darkness or high winds.

Effectively perceive and understand significant and apparent hazards and follow direction by others so that you will be able to successfully execute techniques to manage hazards. These directions may be given before the hazard is encountered or may need to be given during the exposure to the hazard. Ability to respond appropriately to stress or crises.

Stay alert and focused for several hours at a time while traveling and working in varied weather conditions.

If taking prescription medications, participants must be able to maintain proper dosage by self- medicating without assistance from others.

Substance Free:

In accordance with a drug free workplace, alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in AmeriCorps and program activities and while on organization property.

To be eligible for a Public Lands Corps certificate, interns must be between the ages of 18-30 (35 for veterans), inclusive, at the time the individual begins the term of service. Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to hiring a breadth of diverse professionals and encourage members of diverse groups to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, political affiliation, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.To Apply: Please submit an updated resume and cover letter along with the online application at https://corpsnm.org/individual-placement-openings . If you have questions, contact CCNM’s Individual Placement Program Director, Joy Hernández, at [email protected] more information about Conservation Corps New Mexico, please visit www.corpsnm.org. Conservation Corps New Mexico is a program of Conservation Legacy.Required SkillsRequired Experience