Individual. Community. Environment. Work with passionate people on conservation and service projects in diverse communities and gain hands-on experience!

Individual. Community. Environment. Work with passionate people on conservation & service projects in diverse communities & gain hands-on experience!

With a tradition of hard work, dedication and pride, Conservation Corps New Mexico (CCNM) operates conservation service programs across southern New Mexico and western Texas that engage individuals and strengthen communities through service and conservation. Programs promote personal growth, experiential learning and an ethic of natural resource stewardship while incorporating the guiding principles of community, dedication, challenge, integrity and FUN!

Seasonal Job Overview

Want to work with passionate people on conservation and service projects in diverse communities?

Want to work with passionate people on conservation and service projects in diverse communities? Be prepared for challenging hands-on project work in remote, backcountry settings with Conservation Corps New Mexico!

2025 Crews!
CCNM is now seeking field crews with work terms beginning this spring/summer. Crew positions range from 3-6+ months, with job opportunities available throughout the year.

Project work may vary due to seasonality and environmental safety concerns. Projects that crews typically work on may include, but are not limited to:

  • Trail construction and maintenance
  • Invasive species management, including pesticide application
  • Habitation restoration
  • Fence installation/repair
  • Land Management Inventory and Mapping
  • Fire fuels reduction
  • National Disaster Relief
  • Community Service
  • Recreation and facilities maintenance and construction

In general, crews work an 8-day, 10-hours/day hitch schedule, while camping in front and backcountry settings. Typically, members will have 5 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.

CCNM's Adult Field Crew program engages motivated young adults to complete challenging and impactful conservation service projects throughout southern New Mexico.

Adult Field Crews
CCNM's Adult Field Crew program engages motivated young adults, ages 18-25, to complete challenging and impactful conservation service projects throughout southern New Mexico. Field Crews camp out on eight-day hitches and have six days off between to explore the Southwest or rest up for their next project. Tent camping and travel to and from the office to project sites is provided during the eight days in the field. Housing is not provided on off days. Some crews will receive additional training in chainsaw use to complete projects which address fuels reduction, forest restoration needs and invasive species eradication.

Leadership positions give individuals a chance to grow, while inspiring Corpsmembers on their crew. With positions on Mentorship & Leadership Development Crews, Assistant Crew Leader positions and Crew Leader positions, there are options for leaders of all experience levels.

AmeriCorps Crew Members serve a term of service as they explore a variety of opportunities for careers in the outdoors, learn practical field skills, and develop confidence as emerging leaders in the field of conservation. Crews will become proficient in environmental stewardship practices, general worksite safety, Leave No Trace principles and outdoor living skills. Depending on the project needs, crews may receive specialized training in herbicide handling, crosscut saw, chainsaw, dry stone masonry or rigging.

The crew was very professional and highly motivated! They came prepared for fence installation and repair and did excellent fence work. They also constructed a wooden deck for a Yurt and performed exotic species removal when the fencing location was inaccessible due to heavy monsoon rains. We have worked with Conservation Corps New Mexico in the past and will work with them in the future!
—Kevin Dowell, National Park Service

The Veterans Fire Corps program provides training and on-the-job experience for post 9-11 era veterans interested in entering into careers and gaining experience in natural resource management and wildland fire.

Veterans Fire Corps Crews
The Veterans Fire Corps program provides training and on-the-job experience for post 9-11 era veterans interested in entering into careers and gaining experience in natural resource management and wildland fire. The crew is multi-faceted and demanding, but with opportunity for enormous rewards. Successful candidates will demonstrate high standards, compassion, excellent judgment, effective communication skills, initiative, and the desire to devote themselves (at least seasonally) to working alongside other military veterans, ages 21-37 years old, in an environmental setting. The crew will work together and maintain a flexible, positive, and professional attitude. The program engages participants in a cohort environment in which a team of recent-era military veterans work together to train and complete natural resource management projects, specifically related to fire fuels management and fuels reduction using chainsaws. Participants must be a military veteran, provide a copy of a valid DD-214, or relevant discharge paperwork, and be able to pass a USFS Pack Test at the arduous level (3-mile hike with 45-pound pack in 45 minutes).

Individual placements (interns) are paired with a local supervisor and these positions offer more technical, hands-on experience in the work of these organizations or agencies.

Individual Placements
CCNM engages individuals in positions with federal, state and local land management agencies and environmentally focused non-profits. Individual Placements (Interns) are paired with a local supervisor and these positions offer more technical, hands-on experience in the work of these organizations or agencies and many times provide the training necessary to secure long term employment in these fields. Participants are paid a weekly stipend are typically responsible for their own room and board. Applicants must be over 18 years of age, start dates are varied and applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Perks & Rewards

Be prepared for challenging hands-on project work in remote, backcountry settings with Conservation Corps New Mexico!

Member compensation includes a $400/week living stipend and $200/week housing stipend plus an AmeriCorps education award upon completion of term. Leaders earn up to $750/week plus health insurance. All crews receive paid training, tent camping and travel to and from the office in Las Cruces to project site, food budget while on project or camping hitch, and an employee's assistance program.

Perks include:
On-the-ground conservation work experience
Technical trainings and work skills development
Teamwork and leadership skills development
Great networking experience for those interested in a career in conservation and natural resource management.

Application & Connections

If you are hardworking, a team player, and willing to take on new challenges and adventures, CCNM is looking for you!

If you are hardworking, a team player, and willing to take on new challenges and adventures, CCNM is looking for you! Find the position you wish to apply for and fill out the online application.

Conservation Corps New Mexico operates conservation service programs across southern New Mexico and western Texas that engage individuals and strengthen communities through service and conservation.

Victoria Rios
Recruiter
Conservation Corps New Mexico
512 N. Valley
Las Cruces, NM 88005
(575) 281-4181
vrios@conservationlegacy.org
CorpsNM.org

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Conservation Legacy is a national organization dedicated to supporting locally based conservation service programs that empower individuals to positively impact their lives, their communities and the environment. AmeriCorps programs do more than move communities forward; they serve their members by creating jobs and providing pathways to opportunity for young people entering the workforce.



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