Youth Corps Crew Leader

Come work in beautiful Northwest Colorado while helping our public lands and inspiring youth! RMYC Youth Corps Crews serve on conservation and service projects. As a Youth Corps leader, you will be leading 11-18-year-olds in multiple 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 the 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, and civic and social responsibility. RMYC runs three models of Youth Corps.

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

Season Dates

• Training Dates(negotiable): May 2nd - June 3rd, 2022
• Summer Season: June 5th- August 14th, 2022
• Summer Season and Science Camp: June 5th - October 1st, 2022

Compensation : Training, $600/week paid bi-weekly, $40/Month for cell phone usage, WFR or WFA certification (free to those that complete their term with RMYC), an AmeriCorps Education award on completion of the program, and eligibility to participate in the CNCS Student Loan Forbearance Program

Youth Corps Summer Programs 

• Service Learning Crew: Participants 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, 1-2 camping nights per session.
• Community Youth Crew: Participants ages 14-15 are hired for crews of 2 leaders and 8-10 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 and may shift to two camping weeks with a weekend off in between.
• Regional Youth Crew : Participants ages 16-18 are hired for crews of 2 leaders and 8-10 participants. Sessions: 24/7 camping for full 2 or 4-week sessions.

Overview of Yampa Valley Science School:  Yampa Valley Science School (YVSS) serves all Routt County 6th grade students (261 in 2021) 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 :

• 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 well-being 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)

Special Benefits

Compensation : Training, $600/week paid bi-weekly, $40/Month for cell phone usage, WFR or WFA certification (free to those that complete their term with RMYC), an AmeriCorps Education award on completion of the program, and eligibility to participate in the CNCS Student Loan Forbearance Program

Why work here

Do you enjoy helping the planet, spending time outside, building life-long relationships, and stepping outside of your comfort zone? RMYC is for you. We have multiple programs available including our internship programs with Federal Land Management Agencies, our Conservation Corps that does general trail work to wildland firefighting, and our youth corps that inspires 11-18-year-olds to better their communities through conservation and service.