Overview
Details
– This is a seasonal, full-time position from August 24, 2026 to December 11, 2026
– Compensation: $18/hour (40 hours per week), Wilderness First Aid certification, and professional development opportunities
– Schedule: Monday-Friday; classroom day Mondays, project work days Tuesdays-Thursdays, field trip Fridays; camping trip 9/28 – 10/1
– To Apply: Fill out the application here: https://bit.ly/fallycclead by August 1, 2026
– Contact: Email ycc@cottonwoodgulch.org with any questions
Since 1926, Cottonwood Gulch Expeditions (CGE) has created transformative outdoor experiences that foster personal growth, build community, and inspire a lifelong connection to the natural world. In 2018, CGE created a residential summer YCC program funded by the U.S. Forest Service for young adults to participate in conservation work in a similarly immersive environment to CGE’s summer treks for youth ages 8-18. In 2025, CGE received funds from the New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) to create a brand-new fall YCC program for New Mexico residents to get involved in this meaningful work here in Albuquerque.
Our fall YCC empowers and inspires New Mexican young adults ages 18-25 to become leaders, conservationists, and educators over the course of 15 weeks. Crew Leads will collaborate with the full-time YCC Program Manager to lead conservation projects at our partner project sites and co-facilitate life and career skills training for the crew. Crew Leads will begin work one week before the crew begins, on 8/24/26 and will conclude on 12/11/26, with paid holidays off on Labor Day, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Thanksgiving, and the day after Thanksgiving; sick leave is available upon request, subject to supervisor approval. Crew Leads are responsible for driving CGE vehicles.
Responsibilities
– Support final preparations for the fall YCC program, one week before the crew begins
– Lead conservation projects for crew at partner sites, occasionally without supervision
– Co-facilitate life and career skills training modules with YCC Program Manager and guest facilitators; provide feedback, mentorship, and support to crew members
– Drive crew members and tools to and from partner sites in CGE vehicles
– Further our educational mission by supporting CGE field educators on conservation day trips with school students and support crew members to develop educational skills
Qualifications:
Applicants must be:
-Between 21 and 25 years old at time of hire
-Able to safely drive CGE passenger vehicles and work trucks, with a valid driver’s license
-New Mexico residents, see our website for a list of accepted documents to verify residency
-Have a valid U.S. Social Security number or have applied for a valid Social Security number
-Available to work up to 40 hours per week from August 24 to December 11, 2026
-Available for a 4-day, 3-night campout from September 28 to October 1, 2026
Required Skills:
Applicants must be:
- Able to access transportation to and from CGE office (9223 4th St NW, Albuquerque)
- Able to lift up to 50 pounds and walk at least 5 consecutive miles
- Able to fulfill the essential functions of the assigned work with or without reasonable accommodations
Preferred Skills:
Ideal candidates have…
-Experience working on and/or leading conservation crews in hands-on project work
-Experience safely handling trail tools, wearing PPE, and teaching safe tool use
-Experience working outdoors in the high desert environment/Southwest/New Mexico
-Experience camping, using outdoor recreation gear, and teaching outdoor living skills
-Experience working in environmental/outdoor education with youth or young adults
-Experience driving passenger and cargo vehicles for work
About Cottonwood Gulch Expeditions
Since 1926, Cottonwood Gulch has been leading transformational expeditions across the stunning landscapes of the Southwest. Our seasoned staff is skilled and passionate about ensuring your safety and enriching your experience in the great outdoors throughout the whole year.
Our programs fall into three major categories: summer treks, school programs, and community programs. Summer treks are experiential learning opportunities for ages 8-18 that dive into pristine backpacking and hiking trails, hands on science, cultural exploration, and place-based education in the American Southwest. School programs concentrate on learning in the outdoor classroom, working with both local and national youth to facilitate environmental education in New Mexico. Our community programs include treks for adults, Youth Conservation Corps, and Wilderness Medicine certification programs; each tailored to provide unique and enriching experiences for our growing community.
