Urban Forestry & Saw Program Coordinator

Rocky Mountain Youth Corps

Urban Forestry & Saw Program Coordinator

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 Title: Urban Forestry & Saw Program Coordinator
Position Timeline: Applications accepted until position is filled. Expected starting range of March-April 2024, with a possible start as early as December 2023. Actual start depends on RMYC’s receipt of funding for the position.
Work Location: Albuquerque or Taos, New Mexico, with frequent travel between AND travel throughout the state
Classification: Full-time, hourly, overtime eligible.
Schedule: Mon-Fri, with additional time as required by program needs, including occasional weekends/overnights
Compensation: Starting range at $19.23-$21.63 per hour. Exact wage depends on experience.
Benefits: Health Insurance (RMYC pays 100% of premium for employee and employee’s partner/dependents), Retirement Plan (S.I.M.P.L.E. IRA), Paid Holidays Off, Generous Paid Time Off Structure, Paid Parental Leave, Paid Professional Development Opportunities, and other benefits as described in the RMYC Staff Manual
Supervision Exercised: Exercises supervision over Urban Forestry Grant program, which may include supervision of Crew Supervisors, and indirect supervision of Assistant Crew Leaders & Crew Members
Supervision Received: Receives general supervision from the Middle or Upper Rio Grande Program Manager and indirect supervision from the Conservation Program Director
Position Summary: This individual will oversee and directly support RMYC’s Urban Forestry Grant Program as well as the overall RMYC Saw Program, supporting Urban Forestry Crews out of both RMYC offices (Taos & Albuquerque). This individual will communicate with project partners, contract trainers, other personnel, as well as RMYC staff and United States Forest Service Saw Program staff on the direction and needs of the RMYC Saw Program. This individual is expected to travel to support crews, conduct and attend trainings, and represent RMYC at industry-related conferences and meetings. This individual can expect administrative and field-based work as needed.

Project Coordination

• Directly support the implementation of grant-supported and fee-for-service project work..

• This individual will communicate directly with project partners to ensure scheduled work dates and detailed projects specifications are completed in advance of project implementation.

• This individual will monitor and report on project progress and accomplishments throughout the duration of this grant.

• This individual will both pursue and maintain relevant/required certifications (Herbicide Spraying, Chainsaw/Sawyer Certification, arborist, etc.).

• Other duties as assigned.

Program Compliance & Management

• Responsible for the logistical, technical, and administrative leadership of Urban Forestry Crews as well as the leadership and quality control of the RMYC Saw Program.

• Oversee the RMYC Saw Program and maintain good standing with various land management agencies (USFS, NPS, BLM, etc.) and local governments to ensure that the RMYC forestry program is meeting all training and certification requirements.

• Oversee the maintenance and acquisition of a chainsaw fleet

• Provide guidance to program staff with respect to saw safety, training, and organization of crew member saw certifications

• Adapt RMYC Saw Program as needed to keep up with industry best practices and safety regulations

• Other duties as assigned.

Personnel Support & Management

• Provide direct supervision, coaching, and guidance to grant-funded crews, ensuring professional and efficient crew operations

• Maintaining a field presence to support the overall success of the grant.

• Assist crew supervisors in tracking and coding all projects, expenses, and in-kind contributions. Track service hours for AmeriCorps members and work with individuals to ensure they complete the required number of service hours.

• Address disciplinary issues, conflicts, or other crew-related matters requiring staff intervention, following RMYC philosophy of Positive Youth Development.

• Review crew time card data, review for accuracy, and ensure timely submission to Finance Department

• Assist with supervisor and corpsmember paperwork.

• Other duties as assigned.
  

Technical Skills Training

• Lead the planning and facilitation of training for both crew members and supervisors in pertinent project skills including but not limited to proper chainsaw use, herbicide spraying, habitat restoration, ecological monitoring, data collection, and more.

Risk Management

• Conduct field visits as needed to observe, audit, and provide feedback regarding crew safety practices.

• Participate as a rotating member of On-Call team for after-hours field support and incident response related to RMYC crews.

• Document and debrief incidents occurring in the field; log all incidents in tracking database to analyze trends over time.

Job Requirements

• Knowledge of chainsaw use and maintenance; knowledge of chainsaw regulations and requirements in New Mexico

• Knowledge of current Southwestern conservation initiatives, especially as they relate to Forestry/Urban Forestry

• Knowledge of public land management agencies, recreation management, and natural resource management.

• Advanced skill level in most or all of the following: Wildfire Mitigation and Chainsaw application, ecological restoration, forest monitoring, tool use and maintenance, prescribed fire, invasive species removal.

• Ability to train others in appropriate skills and outdoor safety practices, including GPS and DeLorme inReach units.

• Ability to work well with youth and young adults from diverse backgrounds and educational levels.

• Complete paperwork with accuracy and efficiency; proficiency with Google Suite & Microsoft Office Suite applications.

• Familiarity and proficiency with mapping applications such as Caltopo, Avenza, Google Earth Pro, or ArcGIS

• Ability to work well in a team environment.

• Excellent group facilitation and conflict resolution skills.

• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse groups of corpsmembers, staff, community members, & stakeholders.

• Attention to detail and ability to write accurate, thorough, and timely correspondence and reports.

• Creative problem-solving capacity in response to issues that arise both in and out of the field.

• Valid and insurable drivers license.

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

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

• Receive detailed information through oral communication; convey spoken instructions accurately and effectively.

• Work outdoors, subject to outside environmental conditions.

• Work near loud noise from equipment such as chainsaws.

Qualifications:

• Minimum three years of field experience in natural resource management, outdoor education, or related fields.

• Minimum one year of experience with a Youth/Conservation Corps or other program serving youth and young adults.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution is highly preferred. Will accept an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Wilderness First Responder (WFR) is preferred. If not certified, WFR certification should be obtained within 6 months of hire.

• C-Level Sawyer certification or B-level Sawyer certification (USFS Developing a Thinking Sawyer or equivalent curriculum) with the goal of pursuing C-level certification

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

Travel Requirements:

The Urban Forestry & Saw Program Coordinator must be available to travel as needed to both RMYC offices, remote project locations throughout New Mexico, and be prepared to camp overnight or occasionally for multiple nights, both near vehicles and in backcountry settings. In the case of disaster response deployments, the Urban Forestry & Saw Program Coordinator may be required to remain on site (including out-of-state locations) for extended periods of time, up to 30 days.

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.

To apply, visit www.youthcorps.org. For additional questions, please contact Conservation Program Director Darien Fernandez, darien@youthcorps.org