2026 Backcountry Conservation Field Technician (Taos/ABQ Office)

Job Description

Job Description

ROCKY MOUNTAIN YOUTH CORPS

2026 SEASON

Backcountry Field Technician Individual Placement Position Description

Middle RIo Grande Office/ABQ & Upper Rio Grande Office/Taos

Rocky Mountain Youth Corps (RMYC) is a nonprofit youth development organization serving New Mexico. We inspire young adults to make a positive difference in themselves and their communities. Through training and service, Corpsmembers discover their potential for healthy, productive lives.

POSITION PURPOSE:

Field Technician Individual Placements play a pivotal support role in building successful crews and meaningful programming while serving as an opportunity to continue developing professional skills. This field-based position will directly support and work with RMYC’s Conservation Crews, providing support for the Crew Supervisor and RMYC staff while continuing to build and actualize their technical conservation skillset. As an AmeriCorps member, this individual will not serve in any supervising or staff roles. As an Individual Placement and an indirect part of the leadership team, the Backcountry Field Technician occupies a unique and demanding position that allows for further development of professional skills, conservation field skills, and the ability to teach those skills to Corpsmembers. For the right individual, this position is a pathway towards further opportunities in conservation while working to support both crews and field staff. This position is specifically focused on supporting RMYC’s Backcountry Program out of both offices.

POSITION TYPE: Seasonal, full time, exempt AmeriCorps member

SCHEDULE: The schedule consists of both Day work and Spike work.
Day work schedule is Tuesday - Friday from 7:00am-5:30pm with weekends and Mondays off.
Spike schedule is Tuesday - Tuesday, 7:00am-5:30pm, camping at the project site. Spike is 8 days on shift followed by 6 days off.

STIPEND: $800 (before taxes) per week ($20/hr equivalent)

EDUCATION AWARD: $7,395.00 upon completion of 1700-hour AmeriCorps Service Term

REPORTS TO: Upper Rio Grande Conservation Program Coordinator OR Middle Rio Grande Program Coordinator

DATES: January 12, 2026 - December 11, 2026. 2 weeks of orientation/training followed by project work.

LOCATION: RMYC Taos Office (1203 King Drive, Taos, NM 87571) OR RMYC Albuquerque Office (2921 2nd St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87107) with frequent travel between both office locations and project locations throughout the state. Participants must have reliable transportation to and from their “home base” office location, according to their work schedule for the duration of the season.

Other Support: Parents or caregivers are eligible and encouraged to apply. Full time, 1700 hour term applicants may qualify to receive childcare benefits through the AmeriCorps Childcare Program. More information is available by request or through the AmeriCorps Childcare Program website.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

Crew Support

• In coordination with RMYC year-round staff and Crew Supervisors, assist in the successful implementation of conservation projects while taking advantage of opportunities to teach technical skills to Corpsmembers. Projects can include, but are not limited to, trail work, crosscut, chainsaw work, habitat restoration, fencing, and more.

• Assist in the planning of field training throughout the season, while also assisting in impromptu “teachable moments” in the field.

• Model appropriate professional behavior, environmental stewardship, and work ethic for Corpsmembers; be an example that inspires others.

• Maintain a strong commitment to creating a culture of safety and risk management within the crew.

• Provide in-field support to Crew Supervisors upon request and/or provide crew support if a Crew Supervisor is unavailable.

Project Support

• Serve with Crew Supervisor, Assistant Crew Leader, Program Coordinator, project sponsors, and organizational partners to accomplish projects in an efficient and timely manner.

• Provide crew support for project efficiency or as the need arises, under the direction and supervision of program staff and Crew Supervisor. Examples include guidance with proper tool use, assisting with the organization of service tasks such as organizing a crew on a trail or thinning project, educating Corpsmembers on conservation skills or theory, or helping to facilitate safety discussions with the crew. Assisting with leadership does not include direct supervisory tasks like discipline or timecard approval, which are handled solely by staff crew supervisors or other program staff.

• Assist in preparation of supplies and equipment: first aid kits, vehicle inspections, crew food preparation, personal protective equipment, and occasional tool maintenance/repair.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist RMYC staff with crew support including bringing corpsmembers in and out of the field, support of On-Call logistics (daily check-ins and field support), and a wide range of other field-based support tasks as assigned. Project locations are varied and may occur in Wilderness areas or outside of cell phone service.

• Create a personal development plan to further personal growth and leadership competencies.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

• 21-30 years of age as of January 12, 2026

• US Citizen or Permanent Legal Resident

• Able to complete entire length of service term (January 12 - December 11, 2026)

• Comply with all RMYC and AmeriCorps rules and policies and not participate in any prohibited activities as described in the member agreement.

Experience

• Multiple years of experience with environmental or conservation related projects such as thinning/fuel reduction, trails/trail clearing, monitoring, invasive species, and more.

• Previous leadership experience at Rocky Mountain Youth Corps, federal/state, or similar Corps-model program

Skills

• Ability to perform strenuous physical tasks under adverse weather conditions

• Good public speaking skills to address crews and assist in training sessions.

• Strong organizational and communication skills, and the ability to be punctual and reliable.

• USFS Chainsaw B-Faller certification and/or B-Bucker Crosscut Certification

Behavioral Competencies

• Open to constructive feedback.

• Flexibility and adaptability. Strong capacity as a team player.

• Maturity level that allows for leadership and motivation of peers.

• Ability to take initiative and follow through with project goals.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE / EDUCATION / CERTIFICATION:

• Multiple seasons of supervisory or leadership experience with Rocky Mountain Youth Corps or other youth development/conservation organization.

• Leadership experience with peers, preferably in a mentoring or instructional capacity.

• Knowledge of tool use and safety

• Proficient driving trucks, and/or 4x4 SUV with trailer attachment

• Wilderness First Aid (WFA) or Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification

• USFS Chainsaw B-Faller and/or Crosscut B-Bucker Certification, with the ability and desire to earn a Letter of Designation with USFS to instruct, evaluate, and certify sawyers at the A Level.

• Familiarity with techniques and concepts of safety and risk management.

• Consistent positive mental attitude.

BENEFITS:

• Healthcare coverage is available to all AmeriCorps members at no cost to the member. This is considered primary coverage and is not available as supplemental coverage.

• A certain number of Non-Scheduled Days (paid days off) are available depending on the length of the term of service (These days off ARE NOT counted toward the service hours required for the Educational Award)

• RMYC observes all National holidays and are considered paid days off, however RMYC reserves the right to have AmeriCorps members work or service hours on certain holidays if necessary to meet program requirements (These days off ARE NOT counted toward the service hours required for the Educational Award)

• For AmeriCorps members serving a 1700 hour term of service, Childcare coverage is provided.

• Student loan forbearance and interest payments are available for those who qualify

• Access to the “Public Land Corps Hiring Authority” for members serving at least 640 hours.

EVALUATION:

• Members serving a full-time term of service (1700 hours) will receive a mid-term and end-of-term evaluation.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

Frequent overnight travel, ability to drive a vehicle on unmaintained roads, and ability to work non-traditional work hours, inclusive of weekend and evening hours.

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Lift or move up to 50 pounds occasionally, up to 20 pounds frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds constantly.

• Frequently traverse uneven terrain; balance, stoop, kneel, reach, push, pull, and/or grasp.

• Have visual acuity to operate motor vehicles and to determine the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of work assigned.

• Receive detailed information through oral or signed communication; convey important instructions accurately and effectively.

• Work outdoors, subject to outside environmental conditions for extended periods of time in heat, rain, snow, elevation, etc.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Rocky Mountain Youth Corps is available to all and we will not discriminate or refuse services to any staff or member because of perceived or actual race, color, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, political affiliation, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, military service or pregnancy.

RMYC is a drug free workplace. All RMYC positions depend upon funding availability.