Overview
Details
– This is a seasonal, full-time position from August 31 to December 11, 2026
– Compensation: $15/hour (30-40 hours per week), Wilderness First Aid certification, and professional development opportunities
– Schedule: Classroom day Mondays 9am-3pm, project work days Tuesdays-Thursdays 8am-4pm, field trip Fridays 8am-2pm; camping trip 9/28 – 10/1
– To Apply: Apply here: https://tinyurl.com/fall2026ycc 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. We seek impassioned young people who want to grow together as a cohort, spend time outdoors, engage in hands-on conservation work with community partners, learn how to engage students in environmental stewardship, and develop skills for their careers and their lives. Our fall YCC begins on 8/31/26 and ends 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.
Responsibilities
– Implement conservation projects at partner sites, including but not limited to: habitat restoration, trail construction and improvements, planting and harvesting, etc
– Participate in career and life skills training, as described below
– Work alongside CGE field staff to support conservation education programming
– Spend 4 days & 3 nights camping to learn outdoor living skills and work in remote areas
Training topics
– Risk management, with a certification in Wilderness First Aid via Red Cross
– Conservation principles; land ethics; natural resource management
– Collaborating with peers and community partners; group development
– Conflict resolution; decision making; giving and receiving feedback
– Project planning and implementation; project leadership and delegation
– Native habitat and watershed restoration; trail construction; agricultural systems
– Financial literacy; resume and cover letter writing; searching for and applying to jobs
– Environmental education principles; lesson planning; facilitating educational programs
– Career paths in the outdoors
Qualifications:
Applicants must be:
- At least 18 and up to 25 years of age at point of hire
- 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 31 to December 11, 2026
- Available for a 4-day, 3-night campout from September 28 to October 1, 2026 (10/2 off)
Required Skills:
Applicants must be:
- Able to access transportation to and from project sites; CGE will provide van transit to any site more than 15 minutes from Bachechi Open Space
- 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
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.
