Position: AmeriCorps Youth Crew Leader

Location: RMYC Headquarters in Steamboat Springs, CO – Crews will serve across NW Colorado

Season Dates:

Wilderness First Responder Certification: April 25th-29th (Dates TBD), 2021                

Training Dates: May 3rd – June 4th, 2021

Youth Corps Field Dates and Science Camp: June 8th- October 2nd, 2021

Stipend: Training: $410/week. $2,050 Total Stipend (paid bi-weekly) 

Field Season: $580/week.  $5,800 Stipend (paid bi-weekly) after completion of Training     

Science Camp: $580/week. $2,900 Total Stipend (paid bi-weekly)

Training, Field Season and Science Camp: $10,750 Total Stipend

AmeriCorps Benefits: 675 Hour Term (summer only): $2,360.00 Segal Education Award

900 Hour Term (Summer and Science Camp): $3,097.50 Segal Education Award

 (Upon successful completion of the season)

Training: As an AmeriCorps service-learning program and to prepare Crew Leaders for work in-the-field, RMYC  provides orientation and technical skills training at the start of the program year and additional region or project-specific training throughout the service term including AmeriCorps benefits, team building, and conflict resolution, diversity, safety and risk management, tool safety and use, tool maintenance, Wilderness First Responder or Wilderness First Aid training, defensive driving, Leave No Trace, and backcountry skills. 

Overview of Youth Corps Program: RMYC Youth Corps Crews serve all across NW Colorado, including Routt, Moffat, Rio Blanco, Garfield, Eagle, Pitkin, Lake, Summit, and counties. As a Youth Corps leader, you will be leading 11-18-year-olds in any one or combination of these counties. Youth participants are paid a stipend (ages 14+) for the program, which is considered an entry-level conservation opportunity. The goal of our Youth Corps is to lead local youth on local projects- either in their home counties or in NW colorado at large. We strive to place youth with projects where they can form a local connection and see the greater impact in their communities.  Our Youth Corps provides young adults with the opportunities and tools to build strong bonds to community, increase academic success, and live healthy and productive adulthood. The education component of the Youth Corps consists of career development, leadership skills, healthy lifestyles, environmental education, personal growth, drug and alcohol awareness, and civic and social responsibility. RMYC runs three models of Youth Corps each running for 5 two week sessions. Leaders will be hired to work either the SLC model only or a combination of these models. 

Service Learning Crew: Participants are ages 11-13 and volunteer their time for community service hours (unpaid) on a crew of 2 leaders, 1 Junior Leader, and 10 participants. Sessions: Monday – Friday, 7:30am-5pm, one camping night on the second Thursday of each session. 

Community Youth Crew: Participants are ages 14-15 are hired for crews of 2 leaders and 10 participants. Sessions: Week one: Monday – Friday, 7:30am-5pm, Week two- Sunday- Friday 24/7 camping. Times and models may shift depending on needs in each county. 

Regional Youth Crew: Participants are ages 16-18 are hired for crews of 2 leaders and 10 participants.  Sessions: 24/7 camping for the full two weeks. 

Overview of Yampa Valley Science School: Yampa Valley Science School (YVSS) serves all Routt County 6th grade students (295 in 2019) each year in a residential, experiential Science Camp. Operated in cooperation with local schools since 2000, YVSS incorporates a 5-day, 3-night science curriculum integrated with 6th grade academic standards, team building activities and personal growth experiences for the students. The camp operates in the month of September at the historic Perry Mansfield Performing Arts Camp in Strawberry Park. The goals of YVSS include: to provide place-based environmental education through experiential and interactive lesson activities; to link the communities within the Yampa Valley; to provide intergenerational links and mentoring opportunities for sixth graders, high school students, college students, and community adults; and to foster integrated academic education with the public-school systems.

 Duties and Responsibilities:

Crew Leader:

• Mentor and serve alongside a crew of 8-12 crew members (varies by crew) in all day-to-day activities, on the project site and around camp

• Support the physical and emotional wellbeing of the crew members and Co-leader

• Participate in RMYC Crew Leader training workshops, field training, and post-session de-rigging/inventory and debriefing

• Transport crew safely in RMYC’s 12/15-passenger vans or other vehicles

• Complete daily and weekly documentation of crew service and activities, time spent serving, assist with mid-season and end of season evaluations, etc. 

• Oversee base camp operations including camp set-up, vehicle maintenance, camp hygiene and all other elements involved with adherence to RMYC policy

• Coordinate projects and logistics with RMYC Staff, Field Coordinator, and Project Partners

• Report regularly to the Field Coordinator and Program Manager

• Co-facilitate weekly or weekend recreational opportunities with crew

• Co-facilitate Seed Education Curriculum in conjunction with daily schedule, Program Manager and Field Coordinator

• Manage credit card, gas cards, and food budget submitting reports regularly

• Conduct routine vehicle/driver, camp and project safety audits to uphold the RMYC risk management program

• Adhere to and enforce rules and regulations as specified in the RMYC Employee Guidelines Handbook

• Members may not participate in any AmeriCorps Prohibited Activities as outlined in the Member Service Agreement (MSA)

Science Camp:

• Facilitate science camp curriculum and lessons to 6th-grade students
• Participate in two-week science camp training 

• Oversee cabin group of 8-10 students (gender-specific) during camp activities and overnight.

• Oversee cabin group during camp meals and evening activity

• Facilitate evening activities such as Fire Side and astronomy nights. 

• Collaborate with fellow staff to ensure all camp operations run smoothly. 

Qualifications: 

• Must be 21 years old  (Mandated by RMYC’s insurance policy for drivers)

• Clean driving record

• Leadership experience with youth age 11-18 (or a combination of professional and personal experience)

• Ability to work with diverse teams

• Strong organizational skills, ability to work independently and take initiative

• Pre-service background screening required, including FBI background check

• Must be able to provide proof of eligibility to work in the United States