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Rocky Mountain Youth Corps

Rocky Mountain Youth Corps engages young people in the outdoors, inspiring them to use their strengths and potential to lead healthy, productive lives. We teach responsibility for self, community and environment through teamwork, service and experiential education.

RMYC's home base is in Steamboat Springs, CO and has crews and internship positions that operate all over Colorado, Wyoming, and parts of Utah. Get ready to live and work amidst sub-alpine forests, high desert, snowy peaks, rocky canyons, lush valleys and more!

Location
Colorado
Season
Summer and Fall
Staff size
9-16
Meals
Provided
Cell phone service
Some, ask for details

About Rocky Mountain Youth Corps

Rocky Mountian Youth Corps engages young people in the outdoors, inspiring them to use their strengths and potential to lead healthy, productive lives. Whether serving with the Conservation Corps, Youth Corps, or Natural Resource Internship program, RMYC offers a diverse set of skills and training opportunities including trail work, environmental restoration, historic preservation, wildlife habitat management, invasive species management, wildland fire, and more within land management and natural resource fields. Work alongside the Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and more to complete meaning service aimed at conserving the Rocky Mountian’s public lands. 

We are looking to hire crew leadership positions for adult crews and youth crews. Crew member positions are available as well for both programs- 18+ and under 18. Additionally, RMYC hires internships on a rolling basis. All programs are designed to engage youth and young adults in valuable work experiences within natural resources and land management.  

Positions generally run from April through mid-October with varied start/end dates. Our summer programs fit many school schedules and have the potential to extend into the Fall if there is interest. Compensation varies by position ranging from $525-$900/week for the Conservation Corps and Youth Corps. Lodging, transportation, food, showers, and laundry are provided. Internship opportunities vary in compensation depending on placement and may include additional benefits such as housing and gear stipends. Additionally, RMYC is an AmeriCorps program, and many positions qualify for a Segal Education Award upon completion of the season.

Successful candidates will demonstrate a commitment to service, diversity, self-development, and the team environment. Whether you are looking for a fun summer job, or the next step in your career,  RMYC provides an unforgettable experience filled with growth, adventure, and meaningful work.

Crew members and Internship positions require no prior experience but we ask that all participants remain committed and present every day for the duration of their service. Those with prior education, leadership, or conservation experience are encouraged to apply for our Crew Leader and Assistant Crew Leader positions for both our youth and adult programs. 

Ideal Candidate

Not super outdoorsy? Never done manual labor? Not sure if conservation and natural resource management is the career path for you? That's okay! We are looking for individuals who are willing to dive in headfirst. The work is both incredibly rewarding and arduous. The weather can be extremely pleasant or just plain EXTREME. The views are endless, the days are long, the mornings are early and you will always have your crew right there with you when you get out of your tent each day to work, cook, and adventure side by side. If you are ready to harness your willpower, push yourself, get a little dirty, sweat a lot, learn new skills, explore new wild places, and build friendships and memories that will last a lifetime, then this is the experience for you!

Room and Board

RMYC crews camp as a group for the entirety of the season during the workweek and during their weekends for the Summer Season. During the Fall Season, crews camp together as a crew during the workweek but are on their own during their days off to find housing/camping. Camping during the workweek can take place in both the front-country (camping near a vehicle) and backcountry (hiking a sizable distance from the vehicle) settings.

Food is provided every day, during both the workweek and the weekend for the Summer Season. During the Fall Season, food is provided during the project week but is not provided during your days off away from your crew. In the Summer Season during the weekend, the crew will travel in the company vehicle and camp together to explore and adventure around the state. In the Fall Season during their off time, crew members have the complete freedom to travel and explore the state on their own.

Employee Perks

  • Weekly Stipend
  • All Meals Provided
  • Segal Americorps Education Award (upon successful completion of term, depending on position)
  • Technical Skills Training
  • Medical Training and Certifications (depending on position)
  • Crosscut Saw Training and Certifications (depending on position)
  • Chainsaw Safety Training and Certification (depending on position)
  • Wildland Fire Trainings and Certifications (depending on position)
  • Weekend Travel in Company Vehicle to Explore the Rockies
  • Short and Long Term Positions (Summer and/or Fall)

Getting Here and Getting Around

Steamboat Springs is located away from the main interstates. Situated in the beautiful Yampa Valley of Northern Colorado, the drive over several mountain passes is about 3 to 3 1/2 hours from the Denver Airport. There is also a local airport just outside of town, but it is typically cheaper to fly into Denver. There are few shuttles and buses that make regular trips to Steamboat from the Denver area. Travel expenses to arrive in Steamboat Springs at the beginning of the season are not included.

For Fun

Crews will engage in regular weekend educational and recreational activities and travel. Hiking mountains, taking a dip in the creek, exploring canyons, and more await you!

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Jobs in the Spotlight

Current Job Openings

    Conservation Corps

    Conservation Corps Field Coordinator

    $900.00 / week
    Steamboat Springs

    Tentative Schedule:

    April 8th - October 18th, 2024

    Essential Job Function:

    The employee in this position will provide leadership, supervision, and support for multiple (3-4) conservation and/or chainsaw crews of approximately 10 adults (18-25+ years old) in a 24/7 crew setting during the summer and a non-24/7 hitch model during the Fall. 

    The position can be broken down into three main segments: pre-season, crew leader training, and the field season. 

    • Pre-season: This segment will encompass focused training on field coordinator-specific duties for the upcoming field season. This phase also involves equipping and organizing all necessary gear and field resources, along with assisting in the setup and execution of crew leader training.

    • Crew leader training: You will play a pivotal role in imparting leadership and skill training to crew leaders and assistant crew leaders. Your role will involve extensive field time, serving as mentors for our leaders, and articulating our expectations for the field season. This training period closely mirrors key aspects of the field season, including hands-on project work and camping in a crew environment. Field coordinators are expected to be fully engaged throughout.

    • Field Season: Your primary responsibilities during the field season will entail effective coordination between project partners, crews, and administrative staff. Field coordinators will conduct biweekly crew visits, engaging in all aspects of the program when visiting a crew.  This includes overnight camping, facilitating educational activities, and ensuring the successful completion of project site objectives. You will support crew operations but also provide consistent guidance and mentorship to crew leaders, achieved through regular check-ins and performance assessments over the course of the season.

    CLICK HERE TO SEE THE BENEFITS/FULL POSITION DESCRIPTION 

    Additional Perks: 

    Health and dental insurance, Paid sick time, Living accommodations available, Cell Phone reimbursement ($40/Month), Transportation (RMYC will provide use of a work vehicle and cover all gasoline expenses during the season), Food stipend for overnight field visits

     APPLY HERE

    Conservation Corps

    Crew Leader

    $800.00 / week
    Steamboat Springs

    Crew Types: 

    • Conservation Crew 
    • Conservation/Chainsaw Crew

    Season Dates:

    • Summer Term: April 30th or May 6th -  August 9th 2024 (includes 5 week leadership training)
    • Long Term: April 30th - October 11th, 2024 (Tentative end date, weather dependent)

    *Season extension optional for disaster relief at the end of Fall season

    Stipend:

    Weekly living stipend of $800/wk 

    Americorps Award:

    • 675 Hour Term (summer only): $2,626.27 Segal Education Award
    • 1200 Hour Term (Summer and Fall): $4,826.50 Segal Education Award

    (Awarded upon successful completion of the season)

    Overview:

    Crew Leadership positions work with crews to complete conservation projects throughout Northwest Colorado and Wyoming. These challenging and rewarding roles will receive 5 weeks of training including a Wilderness First Responder and Chainsaw certification in addition to incredible experience in outdoor leadership. RMYC partners with federal and state land management agencies to give participants a diverse understanding of conservation work and a variety of hard and soft skills that will help them succeed in a conservation-based career. Leaders supervise a crew of 8-10 people in the field at worksites and at camp. Several styles of leadership positions are available and include specialized conservation corps crews. To learn more about our available positions please visit https://www.rockymountainyouthcorps.org/employment

    Summer Season: Crews will remain together 24/7 in the field either on a project or doing weekend recreational travel and activities. You are considered ‘ON’ RMYC time the entire summer.

    Fall Season: Crews will Travel to projects, work and camp together 5-9 days at a time and then will return to the office and be ‘OFF’ for 2-5 days at a time. Some projects/logistics may require crews to operate in a 24/7 setting ‘summer model’ for a portion of the Fall. During your ‘OFF’ time in the Fall, you are responsible for your own food, transportation and lodging.

    All corps members will participate in project work, daily camp chores, educational activities throughout the week, and weekend recreation (summer only). Spending a season with RMYC can be a life-changing and rewarding experience. Successful candidates will demonstrate a commitment to service, diversity, self-development, and the team environment.

    TO READ THE FULL POSITION DESCRIPTION CLICK HERE

     

    APPLY HERE

    Conservation Corps

    Assistant Crew Leader

    $500.00 / week
    Steamboat Springs

    Crews:

    • Conservation Crew 
    • Conservation/Chainsaw Crew 

    Session Dates:

    Summer Term : May 9th - August 20st, 2024 (Includes 5 week leadership training) 

    Long Term*: May 9th - October 8th, 2024 (Tentative end date, weather dependent)

    *Season extension optional for disaster relief at the end of the Fall season

    Stipend: $500.00 per week

    Americorps Award:

    • Summer Term: 675 Hour Segal Education Award ($2,417.14)
    • Long Term: 1200 Hour Segal Education Award ($4,441.50)

    (Awarded upon successful completion of the season)

    Overview:

    In RMYC’s Conservation Corps we offer positions to young adults to spend a season serving on meaningful conservation projects throughout northwest Colorado. Projects may include a variety of trail construction/maintenance, fence construction/removal, invasive species removal, fire fuels reduction with chainsaws, habitat restoration and/or historic preservation work. During the Fall season, there is the potential for disaster relief work as well.

    Assistant Crew Leadership positions work with crews to complete conservation projects throughout Northwest Colorado and Wyoming. These challenging and rewarding roles will receive 5 weeks of training including a Wilderness First Aide certification, and incredible experience in outdoor leadership. RMYC partners with federal and state land management agencies to give participants a diverse understanding of conservation work and a variety of hard and soft skills that will help them succeed in a conservation-based career. Leaders supervise a crew of 8-10 people in the field at worksites and at camp. Several styles of leadership positions are available and include specialized conservation corps crews. Previous outdoor leadership experience is preferred. 

    Summer Season: Crews will remain together 24/7 in the field either on a project or doing weekend recreational travel and activities. You are considered ‘ON’ RMYC time the entire summer.

    Fall Season: Crews will Travel to projects, work and camp together 5-8 days at a time and then will return to the office and be ‘OFF’ for 2-5 days at a time. Some projects/logistics may require crews to operate in a 24/7 setting ‘summer model’ for a portion of the Fall. During your ‘OFF’ time in the Fall, you are responsible for your own food and lodging.

    All corps members will participate in project work, daily camp chores, educational activities throughout the week, and weekend recreation (summer only). Spending a season with RMYC can be a life-changing and rewarding experience. Successful candidates will demonstrate a commitment to service, diversity, self-development, and the team environment.

    TO READ ABOUT BENEFITS AND THE FULL POSITION DESCRIPTION CLICK HERE

    APPLY HERE

    Conservation Corps

    Crew Member

    $525.00 / week
    Steamboat Springs

    Crews:

    • Conservation Crew 18-25+ years old (Nationwide residents)
    • Chainsaw Crew 18-25+ years old (Nationwide residents)
    • Women's Chainsaw Crew 18-25+ years old (Nationwide residents, female identifying)

    Session Dates:                    

    • Summer Term (Conservation Crew): June 4th- August 9th, 2024
    • Summer Term (Chainsaw Crew): May 28th- August 9th, 2024
    • Long Term: June 4th- October 11th, 2024 (Tentative end date, weather/project dependent)*
    • Fall Term: August 20th- October 11th, 2024 (Tentative end, weather/project dependent)

    *Season extension optional for disaster relief at end of the Fall season

    Stipend:

    • Weekly living stipend of $525

    AMERICORPS AWARD:

    • Summer Only: 450 Hour Segal Education Award ($1,824.07)
    • Long Term (Summer and Fall): 900 Hour Segal Education Award ($3,447.50)
    • Fall Season Only: 300 Hour Segal Education Award ($1,459.26)

    Overview: In RMYC’s Conservation Corps we offer opportunities for young adults to spend a season serving on meaningful conservation projects throughout northwest Colorado. Projects may include a variety of trail construction/maintenance, fence construction/removal, invasive species removal, wildfire fuels reduction, habitat restoration and/or historic preservation work. During the Fall season, there is a potential for disaster relief deployment. NO EXPERIENCE IS REQUIRED

    Summer Season: Crews will remain together 24/7 in the field either on project or weekend recreational travel and activities. Crews travel together in a company vehicle, and food/transportation/showers are paid for. You are considered ‘ON’ RMYC time the entire summer (11 weeks).

    Fall Season: Crews will Travel to projects, work and camp together 5-8 days at a time and then will return to the office and be ‘OFF’ for 2-5 days at a time. Some projects/logistics may require crews to operate in a 24/7 setting ‘summer model’ for a portion of the Fall. During your ‘OFF’ time, you are responsible for your own food, transportation, and lodging.

    All corps members will participate in project work, daily camp chores, educational activities throughout the week, and weekend recreation (summer only). Spending a season with RMYC can be a life-changing and rewarding experience. Successful candidates will demonstrate a commitment to service, diversity, self-development, and the team environment.

    CLICK HERE TO VIEW BENEFITS/FULL POSITION DESCRIPTION 

    Apply on our website after December 1st, 2023

    Youth Corps

    Youth Corps Crew Leader

    $800.00 / week
    Steamboat Springs

    AmeriCorps Youth Crew Leader

    Come adventure and make a difference in young lives and for the planet!

    RMYC Youth Corps Crews serve all across NW Colorado on meaningful conservation projects. As a Youth Corps leader, you will be leading, working alongside, inspiring, and camping with 11-18-year-olds. 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 a greater impact in their communities. Projects include but aren't limited to trail and campground maintenance, habitat restoration, fencing, small structure builiding, and logouts along trails. 

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

    Season Dates

    Training Dates (4 weeks + chainsaw training ): May 7th- June 7th, 2024
    Summer Season (10 weeks): June 10th- August 10th, 2024
    Science Camp (6 weeks): August 19th- September 27th, 2024

    Compensation: Training, $800/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, and 10-12 participants. Sessions: Monday - Friday, 7:30am-5pm, 1-2 camping nights per week.
    • Regional Youth Crew: Participants ages 14-18 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 each year in a residential, experiential Science Camp. Operated in cooperation with local schools since 2000, YVSS incorporates a 4-day, 1-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 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)

    APPLY HERE

How to Apply

Please visit the Rocky Mountain Youth Corps website for more information on specific programs and to apply for available positions. 

Feel free to reach out to our Program Managers via email with any questions!

Apply Now

Contact Info

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