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Southwest Conservation Corps

Currently recruiting for the season from April 6th, 2026 to November 6th, 2026.

We are Southwest Conservation Corps! Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC) operates conservation service programs across Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico that empower individuals to positively impact their lives, their communities and the environment. SCC has offices in Durango and Salida in Colorado and operates throughout Colorado and New Mexico!

From 14,000 foot, snow-covered mountains, to deep canyons carved by rivers millions of years ago, you will experience the unique and beautiful Southwest from many perspectives with SCC. Travel places few people have been, places covered in history, beauty, and true wild areas.

Location
Colorado and New Mexico
Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Staff size
20-30
Housing
Staff make their own housing arrangements.
Meals
Provided
Cell phone service
Some, ask for details
Internet access
Intermittent

About Southwest Conservation Corps

Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC) provides youth, young adults, and veterans with structured, safe and challenging service and educational opportunities through projects that promote personal growth, the development of social skills, and an ethic of natural resource stewardship. The Southwest Conservation Corps program model incorporates guiding principles of experiential learning, respect, openness and willingness, commitment, responsibility, pride, excellence, health, safety, and fun. SCC is a program of Conservation Legacy that was founded in 1998 to continue the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930s.

Southwest Conservation Corps offers programs year-round based in regional offices located in Durango and Salida, CO. SCC operates a continuum of programs from community-based initiatives for teens to backcountry camping crews for high school and college aged individuals along with leadership programs for college graduates and job training programs specifically for current era veterans. Programs are completed in partnership with public land agency managers and most are AmeriCorps programs.

The Employee Experience

Have you ever wanted to work outside? What about work outside, gain technical skills in trail and chainsaw work, meet some awesome people, and spend your summer exploring a beautiful part of the country? If you said yes, SCC is for you! Become immersed in an intense and wonderful community. The hands-on work is just a part of our program, as we focus on community living, group dynamics and communications, education and personal development in addition to the technical skills you will gain. Whether you want to go on to work for federal agencies, non-profits, or even the corporate world, SCC will provide an experience that you can take with you wherever you end up!

Ideal Candidate

If you are 18-30 and looking to gain hands-on experience in the conservation field, The Southwest Conservation Corps is for you! Get ready to get dirty, work hard, and have an amazing experience living and working in a beautiful part of the country.  Follow the links below to learn more about our positions and openings!

Room and Board

Crews typically work for 8 days at a time in frontcountry and backcountry locations, followed by 6 days off.  When on hitch, Southwest Conservation Corps covers the cost of food and camping, and Corps members are responsible for finding their own housing on 6 days off.  However, there are many free campgrounds around Durango, CO, and Salida, CO that Corps members utilize on days off.

Employee Perks

  • Weekly living stipend 
  • Potential to earn an AmeriCorps award
  • Food provided while on Hitch
  • Conservation skills training,
  • Be part of a community, and opportunity to work outside in some of the best places in the Southwest

Getting Here and Getting Around

Durango: Durango has a small airport just outside of town. The closest large airport is Albuquerque. However, getting around town without a car is harder. Carpooling is more versatile than Public transportation is. So while we do not require cars, having one would allow you to get around more easily. 

Salida: Denver Airport is not far from Salida, but it is up to you to get from A-B. Again, cars not required, but will make your life more flexible. 

Various: Southwest Conservation Corps does operate various positions outside of our two office locations. We primarily place members in Colorado and New Mexico, with a few positions in surrounding states. These positions will be provided an on-site supervisor and will have a staff representative (or multiple) that they also report to. 

For Fun

The Southwest Conservation Corps has offices in some of the most beautiful parts of the country. From each of our bases, you have access to everything from World Class mountain biking, skiing, climbing, fishing, rafting, backpacking and some of the best scenery around! 

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Current Job Openings

    Adult Program

    Long-Term Conservation Crew Member– AmeriCorps

    Four Corners Office - Durango, CO
    $600.00 / week

    Read the full position description and apply here. 

    Position Title: Long-Term Conservation Crew Member– AmeriCorps  

    Conservation Legacy Program: Southwest Conservation Corps 

    Site Location: Four Corners Office (Durango, CO)  

    Terms of Service: 

    Start Date: 05/25/2026 (Voluntary Non-AC Orientation Week); Project Start 06/02/2026 

    End Date: 10/16/2026 

    AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 675 Hours 

    Multiple positions are available. Open until filled. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. 

    Purpose:

    Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC) is a non-profit, AmeriCorps-affiliated organization, whose mission is to engage future leaders who protect, restore, and enhance our nation’s lands through community-based service. The SCC Adult Program engages motivated young adults, ages 18-30, to complete challenging and impactful conservation and service projects. SCC operates out of the Four Corners office in Durango, CO, and out of the Los Valles office in Salida, CO. SCC is located on the ancestral lands of the Puebloan and Ute people, who continue to survive and thrive on these lands today. SCC-FC serves southwestern Colorado and northern New Mexico.   

    As an AmeriCorps program participant with Southwest Conservation Corps, your office is great outdoors! Each crew consists of 6 members and 2 leaders. Crews serve and camp for 8 days at a time in either front country (access to your crew vehicle and trailer), or backcountry (hiking all your supplies in with backpacks) locations.   

    Projects may include trail construction & maintenance, habitat improvement, hazardous fuels reduction, re-vegetation, weeding, herbicide treatment, fencing, facility maintenance, and local environmental service projects. Crews may also complete technical and/or specialized projects depending on project partner needs, including disaster relief if the opportunity arises.     

    Schedules consist of 10-hour days that are typically 8-days on and 6-days off. There is a possibility you could serve 4 days on and 3 days off, or a variation of schedules. SCC requires that all AmeriCorps crew members demonstrate flexibility in scheduling.    

    We will be hiring the following long-term crews during the 2026 season. We will speak about the service projects that each of these crews completes during the interview and will discuss your preferences at that time.    

    • Conservation/Trail Crew – A crew for young adults with potential project service including, but not limited to:

      • Front country trail construction/maintenance

      • Backcountry trails (backpacking into camp/complete projects in a backcountry setting without access to a vehicle)

      • Wilderness Restoration

      • Clearing trails with Crosscut saws

      • Mapping, Inventory, or Monitoring

      • Invasive species removal (with the potential to use herbicide) 

    • Chainsaw Crew - A crew for young adults that serves primarily in front country settings, with potential project service including, but not limited to: 

      • Sustainable Forestry

      • Fuels reduction

      • Invasive species removal (with the potential to use herbicide) 

    Description of Duties:

    In this AmeriCorps position, you will:  

    • Serve effectively as a member of the crew,

    • Perform strenuous physical tasks related to environmental conservation and restoration projects,  

    • Serve outdoors in all types of weather and successfully adapt to various climates,  

    • Effectively learn and apply new environmental conservation and restoration skills,  

    • Actively participate in environmental education activities if they are provided,  

    • Practice appropriate safety procedures in all tasks assigned, and  

    • Use, maintain and repair hand and power tools as necessary. 

    Participant Essential Eligibility Requirements  

    The following essential eligibility requirements for the program must be met. If you are unable to meet certain requirements, we may be able to assist you with some modification unless it alters the fundamental nature of the program, compromises the health and safety of participants or staff, or places an undue financial or administrative burden on the organization.   

    Participant and Expedition Behavior  

    • Serve effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions. 

    • Willingness and ability to complete all aspects of the program. 

    • Contribute to a safe learning environment, no harassment of any kind. 

    • Appropriately represent SCC and AmeriCorps to the public and project partners at all times. 

    Risk Management and Judgement  

    • Follow directions by others so that you can successfully manage hazards.  

    • Ask clarifying questions when you do not understand a task.  

    • Maintain focus during the service day, both while traveling and serving in varied weather conditions.  

    • If taking prescription medications, participants must be able to maintain proper dosage without assistance from others.   

    Environmental Ethics & Outdoor Skills  

    • Learn and safely perform fundamental outdoor living skills as appropriate to the project.  

    • Live in a physically demanding, possibly remote environment for up to several weeks.   

    Substance-Free

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

    Qualifications:

    • United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien

    • At least 17 years of age

    • Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of elementary or secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant, and agrees to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award

    • Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.

    Our Commitment:

    Conservation Legacy is committed to the full consideration of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential job functions. Physical requirements may include periodic overnight travel, non-traditional work hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. The ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager. 

     Time Requirements:

    • Members typically serve either 8 days on/6 days off or 4 days on/3 days off schedules. Service days are 10- hour days, typically from 7am to 5:30pm. A half-hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service.   

    • Members may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.  

    • Members must be physically fit and able to serve 40-50 hour service weeks. 

    Orientation and Training:

    • Crew members will be invited to participate in a voluntary crew member orientation week from 05/25/2026 to 05/29/2026. This orientation week will include Wilderness First Aid training. 

    • Members will also receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps policies, procedures, and prohibited and unallowable activities.  

    Benefits:

    • Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $2,817.14 

    • Living Allowance of $480 per week. 

    • Additional Benefit of $120 per week. 

    • Loan forbearance if Eligible 

    • Interest Payments if Eligible  

    • Wilderness First Aid Certification provided  

    • United States Forest Service-recognized chainsaw certification (if serving on chainsaw crew)  

    • Food provided while in the field, uniforms, protective equipment, access to Employee Assistance Program provided 

    • 5 days off in August between the summer member season and the fall member season

    Evaluation and Reporting:

    As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of hours, the member has satisfactorily completed assignments, and if the member has met other performance criteria that were clearly communicated at the beginning of the term of service.

    Reporting requirements include, but are not limited to, bi-weekly timesheets and accomplishment tracking.

    Other Considerations: 

    The ability to live, serve, and camp in rural Colorado is necessary. Weather can be extreme and variable throughout the year.   

    Supervisor Name and Contact Information:

    Greta Binzen, SCC Four Corners (Durango) Adult Program Coordinator: gbinzen@conservationlegacy.org   

    Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, 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 reasonable accommodations due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager. 

How to Apply

Check out our website to learn more and apply! We accept applications for programs starting all year. Please look on our website for specific details on each of our crews and how to apply. Questions about our programs can be directed to the following from each office:

Four Corners Office (Durango, CO):

Adult Program: Greta Binzen | gbinzen@conservationlegacy.org
Youth Program: Lucy Perry | lperry@conservationlegacy.org

Los Valles Office (Salida, CO):

Adult Program: Alix Jensen | ajensen@conservationlegacy.org
Youth Program: Hannah Rousseau | hrousseau@conservationlegacy.org

Watershed Program (All SCC Offices)

Watershed Program: Tarryn Dixon | tdixon@conservationlegacy.org

Individual Placement Internship Program (All SCC Offices)

Niki Antonio | nantonio@conservationlegacy.org

Apply Now
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