Conservation Program Coordinator (Albuquerque)

POSITION DESCRIPTION: 

Middle Rio Grande Conservation Program Coordinator

Applications will be reviewed beginning in September, 2026

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: Conservation Program Coordinator, Middle Rio Grande Region

Work Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico, with travel throughout the state

Classification:  Full-time, Salaried Exempt

Schedule: Mon-Fri, with additional time as required by program needs, including occasional weekends/overnights

Compensation: Starting range is $47,800 to $54,100 

Benefits: All benefits as provided for in RMYC staff manual, after a 60-day waiting period, including Health/Dental insurance (100% of premiums for staff covered by RMYC), generous PTO structure, 3% match to SIMPLE IRA, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Account, Employee Assistance Program, annual wellness benefit and access to pro-deals.

Supervision Exercised: Exercises supervision over assigned Crew Supervisors & Field Technicians; indirect supervision of Assistant Crew Leaders & Crew Members

Supervision Received: Receives supervision from the Middle Rio Grande Program Manager; indirect supervision by Conservation Program Director 

Position Summary: The Conservation Program Coordinator provides logistical, technical, and administrative support to multiple crews of young adults, ages 16-30, who are completing conservation and stewardship projects throughout New Mexico. Key areas of support include project coordination, technical skills training, risk management, personnel management, and youth development.

Primary Duties:

Project Coordination:

• Directly support the implementation of conservation projects based out of RMYC’s Middle Rio Grande office.

• Communicate directly with project partners to ensure scheduled work dates and detailed Project Specifications are completed and mutually understood in advance of project implementation; maintain communication and support between RMYC crews and RMYC partners during and after project implementation. 

• Update Project Impact database with measurable results of crew work; complete periodic and regular crew/project reporting in compliance with all grant/agreement requirements.

• Assist the Program Manager in developing and implementing new program initiatives and long-term planning.

• 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.

Personnel Support and Management:

• Provide direct supervision, coaching, and guidance to RMYC Crew Supervisors and corpsmembers, ensuring Positive Youth Development, professional and efficient crew operations, and the fulfillment of RMYC’s mission.

• Support Corpsmembers’ wellness and health, Individual Development Plans, evaluations, and transitions. 

• Maintain a field presence to support project implementation, partner relationships, and corpsmember development, including overnight stays.

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

• Review and approve timecards for accuracy, and ensure timely submission.

• Assist with supervisor and corpsmember onboarding and personnel paperwork. 

• Lead the process of recruiting, orienting, and training seasonal Crew Supervisors (CS) and Assistant Crew Leaders (ACL); lead the process for interviewing and hiring CS & ACL.

Technical Skills Training:

• Facilitate training for both Crew Members and Crew leadership in pertinent project skills including, but not limited to, chainsaw use, crosscut saw use, trail construction and maintenance, tool use, habitat restoration, ecological monitoring, fence construction, and others.

• Provide training in data collection related to forest health monitoring, trail maintenance, habitat improvement, and other areas required by project agreements or regional/national initiatives.

• Support the creation and facilitation of leadership orientation for Crew Supervisors and Assistant Crew Leaders.

• Assist (as capacity allows) the ongoing maintenance and acquisition of chainsaw fleet.

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 both Upper Rio Grande and Middle Rio Grande crews.

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

Additional Duties:

• Support in purchases and/or delivery of tools, gear, and supplies needed to complete field projects, coordinating with the Program Manager around available budgets.

• Provide training, logistical support, and on-the-ground coordination for crews during disaster response deployments.

• Ability to temporarily substitute for crew supervisors as needed, potentially for an extended period.

• Other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

• Knowledge of current conservation initiatives, especially in the American Southwest.

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

• Advanced skill level in most or all of the following: chainsaw use, trail construction and maintenance, ecological restoration, forest monitoring, fencing, hand tool use and maintenance, basic carpentry, 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.

• Demonstrated proficiency in off-road driving.

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

• 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.

Qualifications:

• Minimum two 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.

• High School Diploma or equivalent (Preferred: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution).

• Wilderness First Responder (WFR) or higher medical certification, or ability to obtain WFR within 3 months.

• Minimum 21 years of age, with valid driver’s license and insurable motor vehicle record.

• Pre-employment background check will be required, including an FBI fingerprint background check.

• B-Faller (FAL2) or equivalent chainsaw sawyer certification from a Nationally recognized  training program, or ability to obtain such certification within 3 months.

• (Preferred) Leave No Trace Master Educator or Trainer certification.

• (Preferred) First Aid/CPR Instructor certification.

• (Preferred) Wilderness First Aid Instructor Certification

Working Conditions:

In performing the essential functions of this position, the Conservation Program Coordinator will be required to:

• Operate standard office equipment, telephones, and computers.

• 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.

• Occasionally hike long distances carrying gear or personal equipment weighing 40-50 pounds.

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

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

• Work outdoors, subject to outside environmental conditions.

• Work near occasional loud noise from equipment such as chainsaws.

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

Travel Requirements:

The Conservation Program Coordinator must be available to travel as needed to 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 Conservation 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 Quinn Mendelson,  Conservation Program Director