Developing the Conservation Leaders of Tomorrow
UCC is an AmeriCorps program made up of members, staff, and partners dedicated to service to our community and environment. We engage in projects throughout the state of Utah that address goals relating to environmental conservation, leadership, education, and sustainability.
Logan, Cedar City, and Moab UT
About Utah Conservation Corps
The UCC proudly follows in the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) while expanding the national service tradition to more diverse audiences as a 21st Century Conservation Service Corps.
The UCC was developed by a group of committed citizens that formed a steering committee in the fall of 1999 and wrote a successful AmeriCorps grant proposal in the winter of 2000. The UCC began operation at Utah State University's Outdoor Recreation Center with its first group of AmeriCorps members in January 2001.
Since its inception, UCC AmeriCorps members have completed traditional conservation corps projects including trail maintenance, habitat restoration, fuels reduction, fence maintenance as well as travel management, habitat, and recreation surveys.
The UCC has been a national leader in expanding the traditional conservation corps model to include AmeriCorps members serving with non-profits completing environmental education (2004), disability-inclusive crews (2007), veterans crews (2010), Bilingual Youth Corps crews (2010), and bike crew (2015). UCC is a program within the Center for Community Engagement at Utah State University.
The Employee Experience
CREW MEMBER:
Crew Members live and work outdoors as part of a 5–10-person crew. Members are trained to use chainsaws and a variety of hand tools to complete projects, which may include invasive species removal, re-vegetation, riparian zone restoration, fence construction, fire mitigation work, habitat surveys, trail construction, and more.
Each UCC crew has a unique season project schedule. Crews based out of Logan, Cedar City, and Moab camp near their project site for the duration of the project week and generally return to their field office between project hitches. Learn More: https://www.usu.edu/ucc/about/field-crews
CREW LEADER:
Crew Leaders (CLs) begin their term of service in the Spring with conservation, leadership, outdoor living, and Wilderness First Responder training. During this time, CLs become familiar with their responsibilities, learn proper tool use and techniques, and participate in conservation projects under the direction of a Field Logistics Technician and other field staff. Upon demonstration of essential competencies, CLs will receive an increase in their living stipend for the Summer and Fall seasons when they assume responsibility for leadership of a 5 to 10-person crew on various conservation projects. Learn more: https://www.usu.edu/ucc/about/full-year-leadership
FIELD LOGISTICS TECHNICIAN:
Field Logistics Technicians (FLTs) provide leadership, and support to multiple field crews, and assist field staff in seasonal training and logistical coordination. Support of field crews and operations may include (but is not limited to): working with crews at their project sites, assisting with training crew leaders and members, performing project site visits, managing logistics for standard and specialized crews, maintaining tools and equipment, data entry and administrative tasks in the field office, and assisting with crew member recruitment efforts. Learn more: https://www.usu.edu/ucc/about/field-logistics-tech
DISASTER RESPONSE TEAMS:
A-DRT crews are deployed to address critical community needs related to disaster response and recovery work. UCC’s ADRT crews have historically participated in disaster response services such as chainsaw hazard tree removal, mucking and gutting homes, volunteer coordination and reception, and shelter assistance. Learn More: https://www.usu.edu/ucc/about/adrt
Ideal Candidate
- Service-oriented and love of the outdoors!
- Commitment to public lands and the environment of the Intermountain West
- Desire to contribute to America’s conservation legacy
- Ability to work as part of a crew, including demonstrated communication, conflict management and resolution skills
- Ability to work hard on physically demanding projects for long hours outdoors
- Ability and willingness to work and camp in remote settings in all sorts of weather conditions
- Ability to maintain personal physical and mental health throughout the position
Room and Board
Utah Conservation Corps arranges for camping and travel during project time and supplies all tools and safety equipment and uniform tops. Crew Members are responsible for buying their own food and arranging for lodging and transportation during off time.
Employee Perks
CREW LEADER:
- Wilderness First Responder Certification
- Option to qualify through UCC's USFS Saw Program as a B Sawyer
- UT Herbicide Applicator's License
CREW MEMBER:
- Basic First Aid & CPR Certification
- Option to qualify through UCC's USFS Saw Program as an A Feller, Apprentice Sawyer
Getting Here and Getting Around
UCC provides organization vehicles for travel to and from worksites from the base field office.
Program participants are responsible for their travel to Utah, and transportation during their off time.