Job Opportunities

Talking Talons Youth Leadership is hiring a YCC crew for summer 2025!

Summary of YCC program

The Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) program engages young New Mexicans to gain hands-on entry level experience in the conservation field. Through the summer season, the crew will work together to complete meaningful on-the-ground work that benefits their community by improving public lands and recreation sites. This is a workforce development program that is designed to provide work experience to the next generation of conservation leaders.

The YCC crew consists of 6 Crew Members and 1 Crew Lead. Crew Members do not need to have previous work experience to apply. The Crew Lead position will ideally have previous conservation corps, or trail crew, experience.

The crew will also receive diverse training opportunities to gain personal and professional skills.

There are 7 total positions available for the May – August 2025 season.

Crew Member Position (6 available)

All who are interested are encouraged to apply! You do not need to have any previous work experience to be considered. You just need to be excited about working in the outdoors to protect and improve our public lands.

Start Date: June 2, 2025
End Date: July 31, 2025
Salary: $15-16/hour
32 hours per week
Must be at least 16 years old

Crew Lead Position (1 available)

Candidates with previous experience leading a conservation crew, or a good understanding of how one operates, or other outdoor leadership experience will be prioritized.

Start Date: May 26, 2025
End Date: August 8, 2025
Salary: $18/hour – $20/hour
36 hours per week
Must be at least 21 years old with a valid driver’s license and clean driving record

Possible summer work projects for the YCC crew:

Land improvement and beautification projects such as landscaping, drainage control, weeding
Restoration projects such as invasive species removal, graffiti removal, seedling planting
Recreation site projects such as trail building and maintenance, painting outdoor recreation features, wildlife drinker maintenance, hazard tree removal, slash chipping
Construction of a rock retaining wall at Carlito Springs Open Space

ALL WORK TAKES PLACE IN OR NEAR TIJERAS AND CEADER CREST NM.

HOW TO APPLY:

The preferred method to apply is to email your application by April 26 to JMoyers@talkingtalons.org. In your email, please include:

Updated resume (if you have previous work experience)
Short letter of interest
Indicate which position you are interested in (Crew Lead or Crew Member)

You can still apply if you do not have easy access to a computer. If you have any questions about the position or need assistance with your application, you may reach Jared Moyers, the YCC Program Director at JMoyers@talkingtalons.org. Thank you for your interest.

Talking Talons Youth Leadership is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and promote an inclusive culture. We believe that having a board, staff, and volunteer base with diverse personal and professional backgrounds enhances our ability to meet our mission and creates an environment where all members of our community can thrive. We strongly encourage applications from people of color, immigrants, women, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ community, those who have been formerly incarcerated, and other members of underrepresented and marginalized groups.

Funded by the New Mexico Youth Conservation Corps