Position Title: BLM Renewable Energy Plant Survey Crew member– AmeriCorps 

Conservation Legacy Program: Conservation Corps New Mexico 

Site Location: Program Office- Conservation Corps New Mexico: 560 N 17th St, Las Cruces, NM 88005 

Terms of Service: 

• Start Date: March 17th 2025 
• End Date: July 2025 
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 675 

Program Summary 

Conservation Corps New Mexico (CCNM): 

Conservation Corps New Mexico, an AmeriCorps Program, aims to continue the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930s. CCNM crews are typically based in Las Cruces, NM and all project work will take place on public lands in New Mexico and surrounding states. 

• This is an AmeriCorps position aiming to engage future leaders who protect, restore, and enhance our public lands through community-based service. 
• You’ll learn new skills, but it will take sweat: this program is designed to be rigorous. You will complete conservation service projects and learn many skills through experience. Service as an AmeriCorps member is an introduction to a new and exciting lifestyle - over the course of the season you will live, learn, train, and work to protect and preserve America’s public lands. 

Description of Duties: 

*Available crew models vary for each start date* 

Crew Models 

CCNM's Field Crew program engages motivated young adults, ages 18-30 (35 for veterans), to complete challenging and impactful conservation service projects throughout southern New Mexico and surrounding states. 

Renewable Energy BLM Rare Plant Survey Crew: 

Crew members will work with a crew leader for the New Mexico Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Renewable Energy Rare Plant Survey Crew, operated by Conservation Corps New Mexico. More information about New Mexico’s rare plants can be found here. The crew will consist of three individuals: one crew leader and two crew members. Together, the crew will survey for rare plants in remote areas on BLM lands across the Southwest portion of New Mexico within the Las Cruces District Office, particularly in areas where renewable energy development impacts on rare plants are anticipated. Safety is a prerequisite and will guide how fieldwork is conducted. 

Crews will be required to drive to different areas throughout New Mexico, camp overnight for 1-3 consecutive nights, hike several miles a day, and return to the office for equipment and data management.  

In addition to fieldwork, crews will be expected to uphold strong organizational skills for the sake of successful data management. All data will be georeferenced using a GPS unit and stored in an ArcGIS geodatabase. Some previous experience collecting data, producing excel spreadsheets, and entering data is desirable. The occurrence data collected by the rare plant survey crew will provide essential information for future avoidance of rare plant populations that intersect renewable energy development projects. 

While rare plant surveys are the focus, where possible, crews will assist with other plant conservation program projects in progress during the summer. Other projects may include pollinator monitoring and setting up new monitoring plots. When or if available, crews may participate in local BLM sponsored training sessions, outside symposia, and coordination meetings. 

Responsibilities of a CCNM Corpsmember: 

• Demonstrate strong botanical, statistical, and organizational skills, and maintain exceptional attention to detail in relation to monitoring efforts and data management. 
• Effectively coordinate with the crew leader and supervisor to complete tasks properly. 
• CCNM field crews operate on a set schedule throughout their season. Adherence to this schedule is essential to the success of the program; exceptions can be made for emergencies.  
• Members can expect to work long days and must successfully adapt to various climates and working conditions.  Workdays will contain strenuous labor in remote settings and varying weather conditions. 
• While serving a term of National Service, CCNM crews are expected to work in diverse team settings.  Respect for all members of the program, our partners, the public and the land they are visiting is required.  
• CCNM expects all members to represent the program in a professional manner at all times.  Crew life will include our values of challenge, stewardship, dedication, community, integrity and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).   
• Members are expected to be timely, hardworking, flexible, and complete all functions of the tasks assigned, including challenging physical labor and hiking several miles to remote locations under adverse weather conditions. 
• Demonstrate passion for botany and eagerness to learn the local flora from the crew leader and local resources to build botanical knowledge throughout the position.  

Qualifications: 

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien 
• Be between the ages of 17 and 25; there is some flexibility to accept members up to age 30 (35 for veterans); participants under 18 must have signed consent of a parent or guardian 
• Flexibility, adaptability and capacity to work in a changing environment including willingness to work a varying schedule. 
• Strong time-management skills and ability to work independently and in collaboration with a small group. 
• Must be eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award 
• 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. 
• No previous experience is required, but a general comfort and previous knowledge of working/living in an outdoor setting is helpful. 

Preferred Qualifications:  

• College Graduate with degree in ecology, botany, plant ecology, plant biology, plant systematics, conservation biology, natural resource management, or a related field.  
• 1 to 2 years of experience using taxonomic keys to identify plants to species in the field, from photos, and from pressed specimens   
• Familiarity with New Mexico flora in general and Flora Neomexicana III is preferred.  
• Experience with Floras from adjacent states to New Mexico.  
• Experience working in regions with high floristic diversity.  
• Experience working as part of a small team and able to work well with others.   
• Excellent communication, organizational, and planning skills.  
• Experience with ArcGIS tablet applications and basic troubleshooting (Collector and Survey 123).  
• Experience with ArcGIS Online interface.   
• Knowledge of downloading, using, and syncing ArcGIS Online Maps.  
• Experience collecting, managing and summarizing data for plant and/or animal monitoring programs.  
• Experience performing quality assurance, quality control, and data analysis using Microsoft Excel and R.  

Orientation and Training: 

• Members will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities. Crew members who attend the full orientation will receive training on Leave No Trace, Outdoor Living and Nutrition, Crew Culture and Diversity, and goal setting. Informal hands-on training will continue throughout the term with on- the- ground skills training. 
• Depending on the project needs, crews may receive specialized training. During the term of service crew members may have the opportunity to participate in a Wilderness First Aid certification course. 

Time Requirements: 

• Typically, crew members will meet at the CCNM office in Las Cruces, travel in a crew vehicle to their project site and remain in the field for 4 days at a time, followed by 3 days off. While in the field, crew members work 10 hours a day. The day starts with a stretch circle and safety meeting and includes two fifteen-minute breaks and a half hour break for lunch. Members may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term. 
• Prior to their start date, selected crew members must begin their background check process and complete an online enrollment process which includes completing e-forms, uploading IDs, and enrolling with AmeriCorps. For those with limited access to online platforms, accommodations may be available and can be discussed during the interview process. 

Gear: 

Participants must supply his/her/their own personal outdoor gear and equipment such as a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, day pack, multi-day pack, work pants, hiking/work boots, etc. A suggested gear-list will be provided prior to starting the term of service. CCNM will provide tools, personal protective gear, budget for crew meals and transportation to projects. 

Additionally, CCNM has some gear available to borrow such as tents, sleeping bags, and some backpacking gear. 

Housing: 

Housing on days off is not provided. Crew members are responsible for their own housing, food, and transportation when not in the field. 

Expectations 

Participation and Expedition Behavior: 

• Work effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions. This may require problem solving on an interpersonal or group level as well as a willingness to accept differences. 
• Crew members with CCNM will serve on a crew with 2 crew members and 1 crew leaders who provide project expertise, mentorship, training, and support for the success of all participants. Food is provided while in the field. Crews work together to plan meals and complete all necessary chores (cooking, washing dishes, etc.). Most dietary restrictions can be accommodated if known ahead of time.    
• Contribute to a safe learning environment: no harassment of others for any reason. 
• Members must commit to participating in all crew/team activities, including evening chores, check-ins, and service days in local communities. 
• Effectively communicate concerns as they arise directly to supervisors and organization staff. 
• Have the cognitive ability to learn necessary skills and apply them. 
• Always represent the program and AmeriCorps to the public and project partners in an appropriate and professional manner. 
•  Crew members are asked to work hard, stay positive, and be flexible with changing schedules, weather conditions, and project needs. This is a seasonal position; crew members are expected to fully commit to the experience, expectations, and timeline.  

Physical, Emotional, and Mental Safety: 

Proper safety procedures must be observed in all tasks, including at the work site, campsite, and during travel. Participants must: 

• Effectively communicate danger to others and ensure a safe environment. 
• Effectively perceive, understand, and follow directions. 
• Stay alert and focused for several hours at a time while traveling and working in varied weather conditions. 
• Identify and communicate significant and apparent hazards. 
• If taking prescription medications, participants must be able to maintain proper dosage by self-medicating without assistance from others.  

Environmental Ethics: 

• Learn and practice ‘Leave no Trace’ techniques at all times. 
• Learn and safely perform fundamental outdoor living, travel, and work skills. 
• Practice self-care by staying adequately hydrated, fed, and properly dressed, so as to remain healthy and safe, avoiding environmental injuries. 
• Live in a physically demanding, possibly remote environment for an uninterrupted period of up to several weeks. Conditions of this environment may vary significantly and may include severe and challenging weather conditions. 

Benefits: 

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $2,817.14 
• Living Stipend of $480 per week. 
• Additional Housing Benefit of $120 per week. 
• Loan forbearance if Eligible 
• Food Budget while on Project 
• Wilderness First aid-optional, but encouraged 
• Member Assistance Program – 3 free sessions of support with a counseling or work-life balance specialist. 
• Uniform shirts, helmets, work gloves, eye protection, and other necessary safety equipment are provided. 
• Professional development opportunities (mentorship, resume support, etc.) and exposure to natural resource career paths. 

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. 
• Crew members will set goals at the beginning of the season and review their performance through both self-evaluation and a review with their crew leader in the middle and at the end of their season. Crew members will also be asked to evaluate their crew leaders’ performance, the overall program, and their experience at the end of their term.   

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 functions. Some positions may require periodic overnight travel, non-traditional 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.   

Recruitment Contact Information: 

Victoria Rios- Recruitment and Enrollment Specialist 

Contact information: 

Email:vrios@conservationlegacy.org 

Phone Number: (575)281-4181 

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. This program is available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, marital or parental status, genetic information, and military service. Where a significant portion of the population eligible to be served needs services or information in a language other than English, the recipient shall take reasonable steps to provide written material of the type ordinarily available to the public in appropriate languages. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with AmeriCorps requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.