Rocky Mountain Conservancy Conservation Corps
In partnership with AmeriCorps, our program provides young adults with an opportunity to learn trail work, habitat restoration, historic preservation, and gain leadership skills while stewarding Rocky and nearby public lands.
At a glance
Serve a Season in Rocky
The Rocky Mountain Conservancy Conservation Corps gives young adults an immersive season of field-based service in Rocky Mountain National Park and surrounding national forests. Our Corps members work alongside National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service professionals on projects that protect trails, restore habitat, care for historic structures, and improve visitor access across some of Colorado’s most loved public lands.
The program is designed for people who are ready to work hard and learn by doing. Over the course of the season, crews build practical field skills, develop leadership and teamwork habits, and gain a clearer understanding of public land management and natural resource careers.
The Rocky Mountain Conservancy Conservation Corps is more than a summer job. It is a chance to serve Rocky, build confidence in the field, and become part of a crew that can see the results of its work on the landscape.
Benefits
As a member of our Conservation Corps, you’ll be supported throughout your season while gaining field experience that can open doors to future conservation and public land careers.
- Living stipend during the season
- Segal AmeriCorps Education Award upon successful completion
- Work clothing, safety equipment, and camping gear provided
- Hands-on training with National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service staff
- Experience in trail work, vegetation management, historic preservation, and habitat restoration
- Leadership skills and development while building strong bonds with your fellow crew members
Program Details
Crews Working in Rocky Mountain National Park
Vegetation Crew — 5 crew members, 1 crew leader
Our Vegetation crew works with NPS Vegetation Rangers to reduce invasive plants in Rocky by preparing herbicide, spraying invasive plants, and tracking project sites. Additionally, this crew works to reintroduce native species back into the park and will be trained on herbicide safety and plant identification. This crew works 40 hours a week, Monday through Thursday, and lives at an RMNP campground.
Moraine Crew — 5 crew members, 1 crew leader
Our Moraine crew works with NPS Eastside Trail Rangers to maintain Rocky’s popular trails. This crew will learn trail maintenance on day trips, and perform trail maintenance and construction on their backcountry hitch. Crew members will be trained in various tool skills and construction techniques important for trail maintenance. This crew works 40 hours a week, Monday through Thursday, and lives at an RMNP campground. This crew also performs two 4-day backcountry hitches and one 8-day backcountry hitch during their season.
Kawuneeche Crew — 5 crew members, 1 crew leader
Our Kawuneeche crew works with NPS Westside Trail Rangers to maintain trails in areas of Rocky most impacted by wildfire. This crew will perform trail maintenance and construction, and help the park manage its pack animals including mules, horses, and llamas, who assist with trail work. Crew members will be trained in various tool skills and construction techniques important for trail maintenance. This crew works 40 hours a week, Monday through Thursday, and lives at an RMNP campground.
Historic Preservation Crew — 4 crew members, 1 crew leader
Our Historic Preservation crew works with NPS Historic Preservation Rangers to perform general repairs, maintenance, and construction on Rocky’s historic structures. This crew will be trained in painting, carpentry, roofing, using power tools, and more. This crew works 40 hours a week, Monday through Thursday, and lives at an RMNP campground.
Odessa Crew — 5 crew members, 1 crew leader
Our Odessa crew works with NPS Eastside Trail Rangers to maintain Rocky’s popular trails. This crew will learn trail maintenance on day trips, and perform trail maintenance and construction on their backcountry hitch. Crew members will be trained in various tool skills and construction techniques important for trail maintenance. This crew works 40 hours a week, Monday through Thursday, and lives at an RMNP campground. This crew also performs two 4-day backcountry hitches and one 8-day backcountry hitch during their season.
Crews Working in Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forests
Sulphur Crew — 8 crew members, 2 crew leaders
Our Sulphur crew works with U.S. Forest Service Sulphur Ranger District staff maintaining areas in the Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest near Grand Lake and Granby, CO. This crew performs daily work including trail maintenance, administering herbicide on invasive plants, completing construction projects, as well as performing trail maintenance while on backcountry hitch. This crew will be trained in tool skills and construction techniques, as well as be given the opportunity to earn a crosscut bucking certification through the USFS. This crew works 40 hours a week, Tuesday through Friday, and lives in campgrounds near Grand Lake, CO. This crew performs two 4-day backcountry hitches during their season.
Canyon Lakes Crew — 8 crew members, 2 crew leaders
Our Canyon Lakes crew works with U.S. Forest Service Canyon Lakes Ranger District staff maintaining areas in the Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest near Red Feather Lakes, CO. This crew will perform trail maintenance during day trips, as well as trail maintenance while on backcountry hitch. This crew will be trained in tool skills and construction techniques important for trail maintenance, and should expect to interact with pack animals, including mules, horses, and llamas. Members in this crew will also be given the opportunity to earn a crosscut bucking certification through the USFS. This crew works 40 hours a week, Tuesday through Friday, and lives in campgrounds near Red Feather Lakes, CO. This crew also performs two 4-day backcountry hitches and one 8-day backcountry hitch during their season.
Boulder Crew — 8 crew members, 2 crew leaders
Our Boulder crew works with U.S. Forest Service Boulder Ranger District staff maintaining areas in the Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest near Nederland, CO. This crew will perform trail maintenance during day trips, as well as trail maintenance while on backcountry hitch. Members in this crew will be trained in tool skills and construction techniques important for trail maintenance, and also be given the opportunity to earn a crosscut bucking certification through the USFS. This crew works 40 hours a week, Monday through Thursday, and lives in campgrounds near Nederland, CO. This crew also performs one 4-day backcountry hitch.
Additional Crews
Extended Season Crew — 5 crew members, 1 crew leader
Our Extended Season crew works with project partners including NPS, USFS, the Town of Estes Park, the Access Fund, and Poudre Wilderness Volunteers. The workload for our Extended Season crew varies from season to season, but focuses on trail maintenance and construction. Extended Season is open to any Conservation Corps member looking to continue their work with Rocky Mountain Conservancy past the end of the main season. You can express interest in the Extended Season during initial interviews, and positions open at the midpoint of the main season. Members from any crew can apply for Extended Season and will be trained in additional tool skills and construction techniques for trail maintenance. This crew works a varying 4-day schedule totaling 40 hours a week, and lives in campgrounds and lodging across the state. This crew also performs a mixture of 4-day and 8-day hitches.
Life in the field
Life in the field with the Rocky Mountain Conservancy Conservation Corps is active, collaborative, and rooted in crew culture. Members spend their days outdoors completing conservation projects, learning from agency partners, and adapting to the rhythms of mountain weather, shared meals, and field-based problem solving.
Training and Field Skills
Crewmembers can expect to learn safe tool use, project techniques, Leave No Trace practices, communication, and leadership skills. Depending on crew assignment, work may include trail maintenance and construction, invasive plant management, greenhouse and revegetation support, historic preservation, or other stewardship projects.
Living and Working Together
Crews live and work in close community. The experience asks members to be flexible, dependable, and ready to contribute to a positive team environment while serving Rocky Mountain National Park and our other public land partner.
Job Listings
- Conservation Corps
Conservation Corps Field Coordinator
Location: Estes Park, COPosition: Exempt, seasonalCompensation: $1,057.69/weekThe Field Coordinators will provide leadership and support for several (8-10) crews of approximately 5-8 young
adults per crew (approx. 18-30 years of age), both in the field and in an office setting. The Field Coordinator will
assist with planning, implementation, and paperwork for the Conservation Corps season. Throughout the season, the Field Coordinator will be responsible for preparing and implementing trainings, visiting the crews in the field, updating staff of crew progress and status, resolving and reporting on conflicts in the field, and providing partnership support between the crews and the agency supervisors (USDA Forest Service, National Park Service, and various nonprofits). To apply for this position, please submit your interest via email to: [email protected].
Questions?
Have a specific question about the Rocky Mountain Conservancy Conservation Corps? Reach out to us or use the application link above when positions are open.
Thank you to our partners!
