Title: Los Valles Youth Program Coordinator
Reports to: Los Valles Youth Program Manager
Location: SCC Los Valles – Salida, CO
Starting Salary: 22.93 - 23.61 DOE
Status: Full time, Non-Exempt
Benefit Eligible: Health, Vision, Dental, Long-Term Disability, Retirement, Paid Time Off
Posting Period: Please apply before June 7, 2024

Organizational Summary: The Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC) is a program within the non-profit service organization, Conservation Legacy. Conservation Legacy is built on the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) that operated in the US 1933 – 1942. SCC provides youth and young adults opportunities to complete conservation projects on public lands. While serving with SCC, members receive training on 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). This position is an opportunity to make a difference in young peoples’ lives and directly impact communities of southwest Colorado. SCC’s youth program serves approximately 100 local youth ages 14-18 a year and completes a variety of conservation-based projects across the region. The SCC Los Valles office runs two 5-week sessions in the summer of both camping and day conservation crews.
Crews run M-F and each Friday is an education day for most crews.

Position Summary: The Youth Program Coordinator’s primary responsibilities are to recruit and select High School Corps Members and assist with recruitment for Crew Leaders for all youth crews; Participate in the planning and execution of Crew Leader and Member trainings; Coordinate communication between the field and the office; Using a trauma-informed approach, support and mentor all field staff, including seasonal Field Supervisors, Crew Leaders and Members; Ensure crews are both supported and prepared to maintain safety, program integrity, and quality projects in the field. Office space is available in Salida. An additional office space is available to use in and Alamosa during travel days. Both office and field operations throughout the San Luis Valley are required by this position, so a flexible schedule is a must.

Required Skills

Position Responsibilities:

Recruiting, Interviewing and Selection of Corps Members and Leaders:

• Recruit local youth members.
• Maintain and establish relationships with schools and community partners.
• Implement and update Crew Member recruitment strategy for LV region, building connections and relationships with schools, non-profits, and local community organizations.
• Develop and deliver engaging presentations for in-person and virtual recruitment events at LV area schools.
• Establish and maintain a database of recruitment contacts.
• Coordinate and complete interviewing, selection, & placement of 50-70 High School Crew Members annually.
• Assist with Crew Leader and CLDP interviewing and hiring in collaboration with the Youth Program Manager.
• Facilitate and manage the submission of all Crew Member hiring, program, and AmeriCorps paperwork, paying close attention to detail in an office setting.
• Support Parent’s Night informational events in youth program counties; prep Crew Leaders and CLDPs to facilitate introductions and communicate SCC expectations and policies to parents and participants.

Program Oversight & Field Support:

• Field Staff mentorship: Provide technical expertise, guidance and emotional support to Crew Leaders and Members in the field; identify positive working solutions to crew management issues for Crew Leaders.
• Support 6 – 12 Crew Leaders per year, maintain regular communication with Crew Leaders, including, but not limited to, assisting with debriefs on de-rig day and responding to crew emergency situations.
• Conduct regular field visits to assess the status of crews and project work as well as to foster positive relationships with Crew Leaders, Members, and project partners.
• Ensure project quality on all projects through ongoing training and technical assistance.
• Assist Youth Program Manager with project site visits and finalizing Project Specs as needed; provide technical assistance to key partners as needed to ensure project specs are complete and appropriate for crews.
• Model risk management procedures in the field to create a safe working environment.
• Attend and supervise youth program education days, coordinating with Crew Leaders and individuals/organizations providing educational services.
• Oversee weekly derigs of youth crews in Alamosa; conduct check-ins, assist with derig tasks as needed, and ensure availability of supplies at trailer.
• Facilitate post-hitch weekly check-ins and hold Crew Leaders accountable to organization standards.
• Enforce all SCC Policies and Procedures.
• Participate in an on-call system for crews in the field.

Development & Training:

• Collaborate with program staff to develop and implement training including technical trails, chainsaw, leadership, and facilitation skills throughout the year.
• Collaborate with the FC/LV Youth Programs Team to implement best practices for working with youth such as Positive Youth Development, Trauma-Informed Care), and engage in big-picture program discussions.
• Be a role model and mentor - provide encouragement, guidelines, and supervision to Crew Leaders throughout the 8-week training period and continuing into the field season.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with community and project partners.
• Assist in developing new youth programming and improving current programming by utilizing feedback collected from the participants and leaders.

Program and General Administration:

• Collect, manage, and disperse program paperwork; verify accuracy of all paperwork for Field Staff and Crew Members (timesheets, project accomplishment summaries, etc.)
• Work closely with Administrative Staff to ensure compliance of paperwork tasks and AmeriCorps requirements for Crew Leaders and Crew Members.
• Manage multiple databases for recruitment, selection, payroll, and AmeriCorps information and onboarding.
• Manage and maintain accurate reporting of all necessary information and complete program reports including field site visits, recruiting notes, and field/yard inventories.
• Utilize photos, videos, and fieldnotes to create promotional content for LV youth program, including informational fliers, recruitment presentations, and social media posts.
• Collaborate and maintain communication with other staff, including attending regular staff meetings.
• Work within an established program budget; manage credit cards, receipts, and financial reporting.
• Assist Program Manager with end of year reporting.
• Represent SCC at program level coalition meeting.

Organizational Advocacy:

• Successfully engages, leads, and supports an inclusive work environment for those of underrepresented populations within the organization and the communities we serve.
• Leads and/or participates in organizational-wide teams, projects and initiatives that support the work of the Strategic Plans goals.
• Reports any potential complaints within the organization as identified in the Personnel Policy Manual.
• Assists or leads other responsibilities, as assigned.

Required Experience

Qualifications:

• Ability to successfully work in a fluid, changing work environment.
• Ability to operate Microsoft Office programs and applications, or similar platforms.
• Ability to keep others and oneself, in remote locations, accountable to expectations.
• Valid Driver’s License and Insurable Driving Record per Personnel Policies.
• Must be able to pass the organization’s criminal history check requirements.
• Exhibits the ability to effectively collaborate with diverse teams or with a variety of populations, including those underrepresented at our organization and those of BIPOC communities.
• Relevant degree or in education, sustainability, or another related field, or 2 years of related experience.
• Experience in trail work, campground maintenance, habitat restoration, and/or forestry.
• Certified in Wilderness First Responder or ability to acquire within 6 months of hiring.
• Wilderness First Aid/CPR Instructor Certificate or ability to acquire within 6 months of hiring.
• Preferred experience working with youth in the San Luis Valley and Upper Arkansas River Valley
• Preferred leadership experience with a Conservation Legacy corps program or another conservation corps.
• Preferred experience with Trauma Informed Care, Positive Youth Development, and Restorative Justice Practices.

Physical Requirements: Periodic overnight travel and non-traditional work hours, inclusive of weekend and evening hours. To successfully perform essential functions, this position is required to sit, stand, walk, speak, and hear. This position may be required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl on an infrequent basis. They must be able to operate office equipment, telephone, and computer. The ability to drive an organizational vehicle is also required. Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Other Competencies Desired for this Position’s Success: Manage Complexity, Resourceful, Effectively Communicate, Cultivate Innovation, Drive and/or Influence Results, Plans & Aligns.

To Apply:

• Send Cover letter and resume to Pamela Cisneros at pcisneros@conservationlegacy.org by June 7, 2024
• Cover Letter Subject line must include “Applicant_Youth Coordinator_(Your Name)” Ex: "Applicant_Youth Coordinator_John Doe"
• Cover Letter must include a response to the following: Provide some examples of your experience effectively working with diverse communities, including those specific to Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and other underrepresented populations, in personal or professional context.

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. This program is available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, marital or parental status, genetic information, and military service. Where a significant portion of the population eligible to be served needs services or information in a language other than English, the recipient shall take reasonable steps to provide written material of the type ordinarily available to the public in appropriate languages. 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.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $22.93 - $23.61 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Evenings as needed
• Morning shift

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Salida, CO 81201 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Salida, CO 81201: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person