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Participating in Rocky Mountain Youth Corps programs impacts your community and your own future. From traditional climate and conservation work to public health service to internships, discover an option that’s right for you.
Programs & crews
Get Paid. Get Trained. Get ahead.
As part of a Conservation Crew, you will engage in paid environmental, wilderness, and climate projects.
RMYC hosts opportunities in two locations, the Upper Rio Grande (URG) Conservation Program in Taos, NM and the Middle Rio Grande (MRG) Conservation Program in Albuquerque, NM.
Crews will work locally, regionally, and state-wide to safely complete environmental or community based projects in partnership with federal, state, tribal and local land management agencies. Projects may include trail construction and maintenance, erosion control, invasive species mitigation, habitat restoration, historic preservation, and fuels reduction.
RMYC strives to build diverse local crews giving members the opportunity to serve in their backyards. Furthermore, we strive to create opportunities for members of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community. We established our American Sign Language (ASL) Inclusion Program in 2016 and run these crews in Santa Fe and Albuquerque. In Taos, we established the Taos Pueblo Conservation Program in 2017 to Tribal members working on Tribal lands.
Conservation Position Information
Members serving in the Conservation Program work in a variety of locations with each position having varying schedules. Spike crews work for 8 days camping with their crew, followed by 6 days off. Day crews work Monday to Friday (going home every night) and have weekends off. Hybrid crews work on both Day and Spike schedules.
All positions are PAID and:
- Include work outside
- Include strenuous physical activity
- Are seasonal
- Are full-time (40 + hours per week)
Each position description will provide specific details for each position.
Corpsmembers are between the ages of 17 and 25 and receive a stipend for their work as they gain meaningful experience, personal and project skills training, and professional development. All Corpsmembers who complete a full AmeriCorps season also become eligible to receive a scholarship award.
All Corpsmembers are expected to work hard on all projects as part of a team. Each Conservation crew member is an active participant in daily check-ins and educational training sessions, committed to maintaining a safe work environment, and ensuring the physical and mental well-being of their crewmates.
With the support of a grant through NM Department of Health’s Office of Substance Abuse Prevention (OSAP), Rocky Mountain Youth Corps’ Prevention Program is working to reduce underage drinking, driving while intoxicated, and alcohol outlet density in Taos, NM. Using strategies such as radio and print PSAs; Responsible Beverage Service training for bartenders and waitstaff; and working with local law enforcement officials on saturation patrols and DWI checkpoints, RMYC strengthens the community’s perception of risk and consequence for harmful substance use. Additionally, RMYC staff administer two statewide community surveys per year for Taos, one that measures the general population’s perception of risk and consequence, the other that measures local middle school and high school youth risk and resiliency factors. Data from these surveys is shared nation-wide.
Furthermore, the Prevention Program hosts our Public Health Crew. Through a robust partnership with AmeriCorps and School Placement Sites members provide direct mentoring support and referrals to connect high school students with agencies and resources. These impart protective factors and bolster resilience through community services, counseling, and healthy activities in and outside of school. Through their term of service, RMYC Corpsmembers receive personal and professional development opportunities to allow them to become leaders in the healthcare profession.
Prevention Position Information
Members serving on the Public Health Crew can serve directly in a high school setting under the guidance and mentorship of the school counselor. Members work directly with high school students in a near-peer setting, identifying mental health resources, referring additional counselor support or supporting students with other issues.
All positions are PAID and:
- Include work in professional office and school settings
- Are seasonal
- Are part-time (20 hours per week)
Each position description will provide specific details for each position.
Corpsmembers ages of 18+ receive a stipend for their work as they gain meaningful experience, personal and project skills training, and professional development. All Public Health Crew members will be AmeriCorps members and eligible to receive a scholarship award.
In preparation for service, each Public Health Crew member will receive life skills training, Mental Health First Aid, Substance Misuse and CPR/First Aid training and/or certification. Members will also receive training in mentorship intervention, financial literacy, student financial aid processes, resume and cover letter writing, career path exploration, and selfcare. Each of these hands-on training sessions prepares crew members for possible careers in public health.
This program places college students, recent graduates, and young adults within federal agencies and other non-profit community organizations. Our partner resource managers serve as mentors, creating accessible learning opportunities and experiences to each individual placement throughout their term of service (highlighted with service duration and stipend table). Service Projects may include GIS mapping/data collection, monitoring projects, data analysis, outdoor recreation & public interface, agency meetings & reports, public and park events, and much more.
Service Term/Internships run anywhere from 8 to 52 weeks at locations & field offices throughout New Mexico. Working as an RMYC IP provides opportunity for interest focused immersive training, career development, and the chance to expand understanding of an agency or community organization position.
Upon successful completion of each term, AmeriCorps Members who participate in an Individual Placement will receive an education award.
“Before RMYC I wasn’t a very motivated person; finding something that I’m passionate about, I’ve learned how to work hard and try – at anything. I know what being motivated and passionate feels like now and I’m so grateful for it.”
— Katy
RMYC Crew Member