What are the responsibilities and job description for the Seeds of Success Crew Member-AmeriCorps position at Conservation Legacy?
Position Title: Seeds of Success Crew Member – AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Southwest Conservation Corps
Site Location: Durango, CO
Terms Of Service
This is an AmeriCorps position with Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC), which is an AmeriCorps program of Conservation Legacy. The member selected for this position will be serving at the Southwest Conservation Corps Four Corners office in Durango, CO as an AmeriCorps member with Southwest Conservation Corps, and completing service projects for the Department of the Interior.
This program fosters invaluable mentorship to early-career individuals and provides a unique opportunity to develop relationships within and become familiar with the workings of non-profit and government agencies. The purpose of this position is to collect native seeds for research, development, germplasm conservation, and ecosystem restoration. The long-term conservation outcome of this program is to support the development of native plant materials for restoring and supporting ecosystems.
To dive deeper into the Seeds of Success Program, visit the following website: https://www.blm.gov/programs/native-plant-communities/native-plant-and-seed-material-development/collection/sos
Description Of Duties
Crew members will work with the Department of Interior (DOI) Seeds of Success (SOS) team, operated by Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC). Crews will be based out of the SCC Durango office. The crew will collect seeds from native species in remote areas on DOI land following SOS protocols. Crew members will receive training from the crew leader and will participate in a regional seed collection training with local botany experts. Crews will be required to drive to different areas throughout Colorado, camp overnight, potentially hike several miles a day, and return to the office for equipment and data management. This position involves significant driving relative to other types of field work. Crew members must be prepared for long days of driving and scouting from a truck. This position also requires the ability to maintain focus during highly repetitive and meticulous work. Safety is a prerequisite, particularly where industry development (energy extraction, e.g., natural gas) is occurring and during hunting season. Risk management will guide how fieldwork is conducted.
Specific duties will include selecting and locating populations of plant species based on the established SOS Protocol and locally developed target species lists. Crew members will work with the crew leader to locate populations of targeted species, monitor phenology of the population, collect botanical voucher specimens, assess seed quantity and quality prior to seed collection, collect seed, record site data, prepare documentation, and ship collected seed for cleaning and short-term storage. The ability to identify plants both in the field and in the office via dichotomous keys is an important function of the position. However, help with plant ID will be provided, and IDs will be reviewed. Crew members will use ArcGIS tablet applications (i.e., ArcCollector) to locate and document collections. Use of 4-wheel drive vehicles in rugged off-road situations is expected. Familiarity with this equipment is highly desirable, but training will be provided where needed. While Seeds of Success is the primary focus, the crew may also assist with other conservation program projects during the season to promote additional education and experience.
While serving a term of National Service, crews are expected to work in diverse team settings and have respect for all members of the program, our partners, the public, and the land they are visiting. SCC expects all members to represent the program in a professional manner at all times. Crew life will include our values of challenge, stewardship, dedication, community, integrity, inclusion, and belonging. Members are expected to be timely, hardworking, flexible, and complete all functions of the tasks assigned, including challenging physical labor and hiking several miles to remote locations under adverse weather conditions.
Qualifications
Conservation Legacy Program: Southwest Conservation Corps
Site Location: Durango, CO
Terms Of Service
- Start Date: July 20th, 2026
- End Date: October 23rd, 2026(weather and seed dependent)
- AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 450 hours
This is an AmeriCorps position with Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC), which is an AmeriCorps program of Conservation Legacy. The member selected for this position will be serving at the Southwest Conservation Corps Four Corners office in Durango, CO as an AmeriCorps member with Southwest Conservation Corps, and completing service projects for the Department of the Interior.
This program fosters invaluable mentorship to early-career individuals and provides a unique opportunity to develop relationships within and become familiar with the workings of non-profit and government agencies. The purpose of this position is to collect native seeds for research, development, germplasm conservation, and ecosystem restoration. The long-term conservation outcome of this program is to support the development of native plant materials for restoring and supporting ecosystems.
To dive deeper into the Seeds of Success Program, visit the following website: https://www.blm.gov/programs/native-plant-communities/native-plant-and-seed-material-development/collection/sos
Description Of Duties
Crew members will work with the Department of Interior (DOI) Seeds of Success (SOS) team, operated by Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC). Crews will be based out of the SCC Durango office. The crew will collect seeds from native species in remote areas on DOI land following SOS protocols. Crew members will receive training from the crew leader and will participate in a regional seed collection training with local botany experts. Crews will be required to drive to different areas throughout Colorado, camp overnight, potentially hike several miles a day, and return to the office for equipment and data management. This position involves significant driving relative to other types of field work. Crew members must be prepared for long days of driving and scouting from a truck. This position also requires the ability to maintain focus during highly repetitive and meticulous work. Safety is a prerequisite, particularly where industry development (energy extraction, e.g., natural gas) is occurring and during hunting season. Risk management will guide how fieldwork is conducted.
Specific duties will include selecting and locating populations of plant species based on the established SOS Protocol and locally developed target species lists. Crew members will work with the crew leader to locate populations of targeted species, monitor phenology of the population, collect botanical voucher specimens, assess seed quantity and quality prior to seed collection, collect seed, record site data, prepare documentation, and ship collected seed for cleaning and short-term storage. The ability to identify plants both in the field and in the office via dichotomous keys is an important function of the position. However, help with plant ID will be provided, and IDs will be reviewed. Crew members will use ArcGIS tablet applications (i.e., ArcCollector) to locate and document collections. Use of 4-wheel drive vehicles in rugged off-road situations is expected. Familiarity with this equipment is highly desirable, but training will be provided where needed. While Seeds of Success is the primary focus, the crew may also assist with other conservation program projects during the season to promote additional education and experience.
While serving a term of National Service, crews are expected to work in diverse team settings and have respect for all members of the program, our partners, the public, and the land they are visiting. SCC expects all members to represent the program in a professional manner at all times. Crew life will include our values of challenge, stewardship, dedication, community, integrity, inclusion, and belonging. Members are expected to be timely, hardworking, flexible, and complete all functions of the tasks assigned, including challenging physical labor and hiking several miles to remote locations under adverse weather conditions.
Qualifications
- United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien and able to produce identification as stipulated by the I-9 upon start date.
- Under 31 upon start date of position.
- Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.
- Eligible to accept a 450-hour service term with AmeriCorps.
- Valid U.S. driver's license and insurable driving record.
- Flexibility, adaptability and capacity to work in a changing environment including willingness to work a varying schedule.
- Willing to spend multiple days car-camping in remote areas while adhering to Leave No Trace principles.
- Excellent communication (including in-person, email, and phone), strong conflict resolution, and team building skills.
- Capable of operating professionally both in an office and in the field.
- Experience with Microsoft Suite Software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) or other data collection software.
- Experience using taxonomic keys to identify plants to species in the field, from photos, and from pressed specimens.
- Familiarity with Colorado flora in general is preferred.
- Experience with Floras from adjacent states to Colorado.
- Experience working in regions with high floristic diversity.
- Experience working as part of a small team and able to work well with others.
- Experience with ArcGIS tablet applications and basic troubleshooting (Collector and Survey 123).
- Experience with ArcGIS Online interface.
- Knowledge of downloading, using, and syncing ArcGIS Online Maps.
- Experience collecting, managing and summarizing data for plant and/or animal monitoring programs.
- Certifications in Wilderness First Aid and CPR.