Title: Ecological Monitoring Program Coordinator

Reports to: ​ Ecological Monitoring Program Manager ​

Starting Salary : $22.93 - $ 23.6 2 /hour range, depending on experience, education, and skills relevant to the position.  ​ ​

Location: Durango, CO

Status: ​ Full -Time , Non- Exempt ​

Benefit Eligible : ​ Health, Vision, Dental, Long-Term Disability, Retirement, Paid Time Off ​ per Personnel Policies

Posting Period: Please apply by February 26th , 2024

Program Summary:

The Southwest Conservation Corps (http://www.sccorps.org/join/ancestral-lands/) (SCC) is a program of the non-profit service organization, Conservation Legacy, that is built on the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) that operated from 1933 – 1942. SCC provides youth and young adults opportunities to complete conservation projects on publ ic 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) .

Position Summary:

The Ecological Monitoring Program Coordinator ’s (“ Coordinator ” or “they“) primary responsib ilities are to: recruit and select corps members and crew leaders for all small crews performing the Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring ( AIM ) data collection methodology ; Participate in the planning and execution of crew leader and member trainings; Coordinate communication between the field and the office; Support and mentor all field staff; Ensure crews are both supported and prepared to maintain safety, program integrity, and quality projects in the field. Both office and field operations are required by this position and a flexible schedule is a must. The position is approximately 80% office-based and 20% field-based, with field visits that may include overnight stays . They must be available for emergency trips to the field . The Ecological Monitoring Program Coordinator reports to the SCC Ecological Monitoring Program Manager based out of the Durango, CO office.

SCC was awarded a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) grant from the Colorado (CO) and New Mexico (NM) BLM State Offices to support small corps teams, each typically consisting of a Crew Lead and one to three Crew Members. Under this grant, SCC   and sub-recipient  Rocky Mountain Youth Corps (https://www.rockymountainyouthcorps.org/)  (RMYC) work collaboratively with BLM personnel to complete vegetative, soil, and/or stream resource surveys according to the  Assessment, Inventory, & Monitoring (http://aim.landscapetoolbox.org/introduction-to-aim/)   methodology across CO and NM with many BLM Field and District Offices . At SCC, this cohort of crews and staff is known as the Ecological Monitoring Program.  The continuation of this initiative and this position is funding-dependent .

Essential Responsibilities and Functions:

Ecological Monitoring Crew Leader and Member  Hiring

• Assist in developing positions for the Ecological Monitoring program with many different project partners.    

• Develop, oversee, and evaluate  an effective strategy to recruit and advertise 38-50 crew personnel positions, collaborating with other staff as necessary.

• Monitor and review incoming applications for volume and quality.  

• I nterview, select, and onboard  crew leads and m embers in a timely manner , collaborating externally and internally  as necessar y.

• Collect, compile, and process all required intake and enrollment materials for Crew Leaders and Members.  

• Co-manage with the Individual Placements (IP) program any IPs that are funded by AIM-related agreements and whose roles directly contribute to the partner’s larger efforts of Ecological Monitoring program.

  ​ ​ Training, Field Support, and Development   ​

• Assist in creating and deliver ing internal orientations and trainings , intentionally aligning with Conservation Legacy’s strategic initiatives. 

• Proactively v isit, assist, and support crews in the field as needed. 

• Facilitate and encourage opportunities for c rew l ead and m ember development. 

• Continue with technical program-specific education, training, and industry exposure .

  ​ ​ Partner Support and Position Development     ​

• Work with BLM State and Field Office staff contacts and other corps to support CO and NM BLM AIM programs. 

• Facilitate crews’ attendance to technical trainings (provided each year by the BLM), as well as other trainings requested by the BLM .  

• Facilitate consistent field operations and share best practices/learning lessons .

  ​ ​ Program Support and Administration      ​

• Supervise and mentor a cohort of Ecological Monitoring crews and related IPs . 

• Ensure that timesheets are completed promptly and correctly.  

• Enforce and monitor appropriate risk management and all SCC Policies and Procedures across t he program

•   R eview and follow up on incident reports , vehicle accident reports, and worker’s compensation claims.

• Assist with vehicle leasing, remote fl eet management, remote gear cache management , and other program logistics

• Develop and i mplement effective and efficient administrative systems for recruitment, enrollment, management, evaluation, exits , reporting, and marketing .

• Maintain regular remote communications with crews.  

• Collaborate with crews and staff to  maintain and improve program operations and quality. 

• Work to m aintain high retention and satisfy partners through regular communication with crews . 

• Coordinate, review, and follow up on completion and quality of c rew evaluations .

  ​ ​   General  Administration     ​

• Participate in staff meetings, and support other staff as appropriate . 

• Abide by Conservation Legacy’s credit cardholder and spending policies, including providing proper associated documentation . 

  ​ ​ Regional and Organizational Support     ​

• Participate in SCC’s internal, rotating emergency on-call system. 

• Maintain productive relationships and interface significantly with other staff regarding administrative details   

• Attend off-season SCC/Conservation Legacy retreats and operations development events. 

• A ssist with activities of other programs of SCC .

• Provide technical knowledge to and build capacity of monitoring programs and projects in other areas of Conservation Legacy as opportunities arise , e ngage, lead , and support an inclusive work environment for those of underrepresented populations within the organization and the communities we serve.

• Lead and/or participates in organizational-wide teams, projects and initiatives that support the work of the Strategic Plan ’ s goals.

• Reports any potential harassment or grievances within the organization as identified in the Personnel Policy Manual.  

  Physical Requirements:

  Conservation Legacy is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential job functions. Some positions may require 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.   Ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions.  

    

  Minimum Qualifications:  

• College graduate (Bachelor’s, at minimum) with coursework in ecology, botany, range science, soil science, wildlife biology, natural resource management, conservation biology, or a related field  OR some college-level coursework in the above subject area(s) and one full sampling season performing AIM methodology , or highly similar, in a leadership capacity 

• Understanding of scientific, data, and statistical principles  

• Basic vascular plant identification and taxonomy

• Exhibits the ability to effectively work on diverse teams or with a variety of populations, including those underrepresented at our organization and those of BIPOC commu nities

• Experience with influencing diverse groups of emp loyees to achieve common goals

• Flexibility, adaptability and capacity to work in a f luid, changing work environment

• The ability to carry out assigned work independen tly or with minimal supervision

• The ability to communicate effectively, manage complexity , cultivate innovation, drive and influenc e results of oneself and others

• The a bility to work well with others and to seek assistance when needed to carry out assignments

• Familiarity with Microsoft Office programs and appl ications, or similar platforms

• Proficient in phone and email communications  

• Ability to keep others in remote locations accountable to expectations

• Valid driver’s license and insurable driving record.

• Must be able to pass the organization’s criminal histor y background check requirements

  Preferred Qualifications:  

• Successful completion of 6 months or one term/season/capstone in ecological/environmental fieldwork or a laboratory-based research project with leadership responsibilities

• Proficient vascular plant identification and taxonomy

• Demonstrated experience with  any of the following: 

• Recruitment, hiring, training, and/or management 

• Managing administrative systems or databases 

  To Apply: Send c over letter and resume /CV to Michaela Grubb at mgrubb@conservationlegacy.org by March 1 st , 202 4 . Subject line in this email mu st include “ Last Name, First Name Ecological Monitoring Appli ca nt ”.

  Cover Letter must include a response to the following question:   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. 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 reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.  

Required SkillsRequired Experience