AZCC Seeds of Success Crewmember – AmeriCorps (1 opening)

 

Conservation Legacy Program: Arizona Conservation Corps

 

Site Location: AZCC Phoenix and/or Flagstaff offices

 

 

Term of Service:

Start Date: 7/21/2025End Date: 10/24/2025AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 450 Hours

 

 

Purpose:

This is an AmeriCorps position with Arizona Conservation Corps (AZCC), which is an AmeriCorps program of Conservation Legacy. The member selected for this position will be serving at the Arizona Conservation Corps Phoenix and/or Flagstaff offices as an AmeriCorps member with Arizona Conservation Corps, and completing service projects for the Department of the Interior.

 

AZCC aims to continue the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930's, and is focused on connecting youth, young adults, and recent era military veterans with communities and conservation service projects on public lands. AZCC operates programs across Arizona that engage individuals and strengthen communities through service and conservation. AZCC has program offices in Flagstaff, Phoenix, and Tucson. 

 

 

Description of Duties:

Crew members will work with the Department of Interior (DOI) Seeds of Success (SOS) team, operated by Arizona Conservation Corps (AZCC). The crew will be based out of the AZCC Phoenix and/or Flagstaff offices. The crew will collect seeds from native species in remote areas on DOI land following SOS protocols. Crew members will receive training from the crew leader and will participate in a regional seed collection training with local botany experts. Crews will be required to drive to different areas throughout Arizona, camp overnight, potentially hike several miles a day, and return to the office for equipment and data management. This position involves significant driving relative to other types of field work. Crew members must be prepared for long days of driving and scouting from a truck.  Safety is a prerequisite, particularly where industry development (energy extraction, e.g., natural gas) is occurring and during hunting season, and will guide how fieldwork is conducted.  

 

Seed collected by DOI is saved in short- and long- term storage to support development of plant materials for land restoration purposes by DOI and other entities. 

 

 

Essential Responsibilities and Functions:

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 varied weather conditions.While serving a term of National Service, AZCC 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 expected. AZCC 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, and integrity.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.

Qualifications:

United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien.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.Be between the ages of 18 and 25; there is some flexibility to accept members up to age 30.Must be eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award.Experience and willingness to spend multiple days (4-8 days at a time) car-camping in remote areas; familiarity or willingness to learn and adhere to best practices for field safety and Leave No Trace principles.Flexibility, adaptability, and capacity to work in a changing environment including willingness to work a varying schedule.

 

 

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience using taxonomic keys to identify plants to species in the field, from photos, and from pressed specimens.Familiarity with Arizona flora in general is preferred.Experience with Floras from adjacent states to Arizona.Experience working in regions with high floristic diversity.Experience working as part of a small team and able to work well with others.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.

 

 

Physical Requirements:

Physically capable of standing and walking (approximately 2 miles/day on rough, uneven terrain), bending, crouching and stooping for long periods of time, and lifting/carrying items that weigh up to 40 pounds in upwards of 100-degree (F) heat while maintaining a positive attitude.Ability to work in and respond to adverse weather conditions including extreme heat and sun exposure, monsoonal rains, flash flooding, lightning, and hazardous wildlife (i.e., rattlesnakes, scorpions, bears).Ability to sit, stand, walk, speak, hear, etc.Ability to operate office equipment, telephone, and computer and reach with hands and arms.Ability to hike and navigate in rough terrain.Ability to drive/be in vehicle for up to 10-hours per day.This position calls for high levels of concentration. A large amount of travel is required to conduct fieldwork and to provide or receive training.

 

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. 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.

 

 

Substance Free:

In accordance with a drug free workplace, alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in AmeriCorps and program activities and while on organization property. AZCC is a drug-free organization; alcohol, marijuana (medical and recreational), and illegal substances are prohibited.

 

 

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.

 

 

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. 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.Appropriately represent the program and AmeriCorps to the public and project partners at all times.

 

 

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, 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.

 

 

Participant Essential Eligibility Requirements:

Essential eligibility requirements for the program must be met. If you are unable to meet certain requirements, we may be able to provide some accommodations, excepting that which alters the fundamental nature of the program, compromises the health and safety of participants or staff, or places an undue financial or administrative burden on the organization. These requirements are written the same for all positions and therefore may not apply directly to your particular position. 

 

 

Time Requirements:

Crews generally work an 8-day, 10-hours/day ‘hitch’ schedule, while camping in front and backcountry settings. Typically, members will have 6 days off in the town of the home base office. Drive time to and from the work site from the home base office is typically included in the hitch schedule. Applicants should expect the project schedule and type of work to vary. Workdays will start with a safety meeting including exercising and stretching. Days typically include two 15-minute breaks and one 30-minute lunch.Member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.

 

 

Orientation and Training:

Member will receive an Arizona Conservation Corps Individual Placement Program New Member Orientation at start of service 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. During the season members will have the opportunity to participate in a Wilderness First Aid certification course.

 

 

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. AZCC will provide tools, personal protective gear, budget for crew meals and transportation to projects. Additionally, AZCC has pro-deals and some gear available to borrow.

 

 

Benefits:

Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $1,956.35 with successful completion of position.Living Allowance of $480 per week.Additional Benefit of $120 per week.Childcare Coverage if Eligible.Qualifies for Student Loan forbearance and Interest Payment reimbursement through AmeriCorps.Food budget while on camping hitch.Employee Assistance Program.

 

 

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.

 

 

Supervisor Name and Contact Information:

This position reports to Hayden Prouty with Arizona Conservation Corps.

 

 

To Apply:  

Please submit a resume and cover letter along with the online application at https://azcorps.org/ip-positions.

 

If you have questions, contact AZCC’s Individual Placement Coordinator Preston Sands at psands@conservationlegacy.org. 

 

 

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, 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 accommodations due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.