Position Title: Trail Planning and Outreach Coordinator - Individual Placement - Americorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps
Site Location: Mescalero, New Mexico
375 Graveyard Rd,88340
Terms of Service:
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Start Date: 10/05/2026
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End Date: 08/27/2027
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AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 1700hrs
Purpose:
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Sugar Hill Pathways’ mission is to provide a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where children and teenagers can learn to ride bikes in the mountains, build confidence, and develop respect for nature and our cultural heritage in Mescalero Apache. We are looking for safe places to ride with youth in the reservation and want to develop a designated trail system. Sugar Hill Pathways needs someone focused on leading community involvement in developing a trail system. This person will lead community outreach, help develop public events, help take in and organize community input and create a final report we can use to implement a trail system. This person will also get acquainted with non-profit administration and program development by working alongside Kevin Balatche of Sugar Hill Pathways.
Description of Duties:
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There is currently no public trail system on the Mescalero Apache Reservation for youth to ride and Local dogs are a big safety issue. The trail plan will include ecological and cultural surveys to ensure there's no risk to local ecosystems. It will improve acres of land for use by the Mescalero community, and it could also increase tourism from outside community members if that is what the community wants. By the end of the project, we will have a plan for a trail system on the Mescalero Apache Reservation that takes in community input through local events by developing systems, events through outreach, and a final report and plan for the implementation of a trail system. This person will be provided training and could become an integral part of Sugar Hill Pathways and its mission in the Mescalero Community.
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The IP will receive primary mentorship from Kevin Balatche of Sugar Hill Pathways, with additional support and learning opportunities through Ancestral Lands and Story Riders staff and programming. Exposure to the field will occur through a combination of hands-on participation, structured mentorship, and observation of ongoing project activities. This will include opportunities to shadow staff during community outreach and trail planning meetings, participate in partner coordination sessions, and engage in field-based activities related to trail development and stewardship.
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The IP will also be introduced to broader aspects of nonprofit and project administration, including grant-supported program implementation, data collection and reporting, and community engagement strategies. Additional learning opportunities may include exposure to related training and professional development experiences such as wilderness first aid, trail work and construction practices, and community organizing approaches rooted in local and tribal partnership models. The IP will also have opportunities to build professional networks through interaction with partner organizations, community leaders, and regional collaborators involved in outdoor access and youth development initiatives
Qualifications:
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United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
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At least 17 years of age
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Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of elementary or secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant, and agrees to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award
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Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.
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Strong self-motivation, reliability, and the ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively with community members, partners, and project staff.
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Ability to complete data entry, maintain documentation, and communicate clearly.
Our Commitment:
Conservation Legacy is committed to the full consideration of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential job functions. Physical requirements may include periodic overnight travel, non-traditional work hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. The ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.
Time Requirements:
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Typically, this position is expected to serve 09/07/2026 to 08/06/2027, but exact service schedules may vary. A half hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service
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Member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.
Note: Stated are required by AmeriCorps. Programs may add additional qualifications
Orientation and Training:
Benefits:
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Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $7,395.00
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Living Allowance of $650.00 per week.
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Professional Development Fund of $6,000.00
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Additional Benefit of $250.00 per week.
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Healthcare Coverage if Eligible
- Childcare Coverage if Eligible
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Loan forbearance if Eligible
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Interest Payments if Eligible
Evaluation and Reporting:
As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of hours, the member has satisfactorily completed assignments, and if the member has met other performance criteria that were clearly communicated at the beginning of the term of service.
Reporting requirements include, but are not limited to, bi-weekly timesheets and accomplishment tracking.
Supervisor Name and Contact Information:
Contact information: Cody Fetty - [email protected]
Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodations due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.
