Position Title: Zuni Farm Corps Fellow – AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps
Site Location: ALCC Zuni Office
Trailer #2 Twin Buttes Dr. , Zuni, NM, 87327
Terms of Service:
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Start Date: 8/3/2026
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End Date: 12/18/2026
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AmeriCorps Slot Classification: TBD
Purpose:
Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps (ALCC) engages motivated Indigenous young adults, ages 21- 30, to complete challenging and impactful conservation and service projects throughout the western United States. Projects may include trail construction & maintenance, habitat improvement, hazardous fuels reduction, re-vegetation, historic preservation, and local environmental service projects. ALCC provides opportunities for members to learn about and connect with the environment, issues surrounding conservation, and local Indigenous values.
ALCC crews work in a variety of National Parks, National Forests, and other public areas. Selected members are placed on a crew which will then collaborate to perform project work. ALCC is a non-residential program and does not offer housing. Gear and equipment rental is available upon request.
The vision of the Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps Farm Corps is to catalyze a movement to restore our local food systems through agriculture, seed sovereignty, and traditional knowledge. By fostering intergenerational community and intertribal connections between youth and elders, and empowering future generations through mentorship and immersive farmer training, we aim to protect and revitalize our seeds, ensuring the resilience of our cultural and agricultural heritage for generations to come.
The Farm Corps began in 2011 as a summer youth program in Acoma Pueblo, offering participants a hands-on experience in cultivating crops with traditional landrace seeds and flood irrigation farming. Over time, the program has evolved into an immersive experience through core areas, which include ancestral Pueblo agroecological approach to cultivation and land stewardship, the regeneration and rematriation of indigenous landrace seeds, and fostering community and intertribal peer relationships. Throughout the growing season, participants receive a living stipend while engaging in every stage of cultivation—from soil conservation and regeneration practices, seed-saving techniques, traditional and modern irrigation methods, to seed processing and traditional food preparation. The Ancestral Lands Farm Corps model has expanded to serve the communities of Zuni and Isleta Pueblo.
Our community growing efforts support continuity and resilience by providing seed access and educational resources, rooted in the regeneration of indigenous seeds uniquely adapted to the Southwest's climate, soils, aridity, and agroecological techniques. Many of these seeds, displaced over time through well-meaning conservation efforts, are now being returned to their ancestral lands, waters, and caretakers through our rematriation work. These propagated seeds are stored in our Community Seed Bank, freely available upon request to Acoma Pueblo and other Southwest tribal communities
Description of Duties:
Project Management & Implementation
- Complete farming and seed propagation goals set by partners and staff
- Completion of project work
- Maintain the on-the-ground quality and quantity of project work
- Monitor and track tool and equipment inventory
- Establish tool and equipment maintenance routines
- Promote the crew’s physical and emotional safety on and off the work site
- Communicate and manage field incidents with ALCC staff
- Transport crew and equipment safely in ALCC vehicles with trailers
- Report project accomplishments by measuring and documenting outcomes
- Compile notes and documentation pertaining to project reporting, documentation group and member dynamics, and incident management
- Notify staff of farm needs for purchases, to manage, document and report all purchases.
- Work with staff to identify the goals and ideas for the overall Farm Corps program
- Critical thinking and ability to resolve issues and solve problems
- Ability to exercise judgment and make decisions in dynamic situations
- Strong and holistic situational awareness
- Strong time-management skills
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Willingness to learn and be a part of a community of peer leaders.
- Must be adaptive, patient, and able to maintain a positive perspective on crew
- Physically able to work long days in adverse conditions
- Frequently required to walk, hike, sit and talk or listen
- Required to use hands to operate objects, tools or controls, and to reach with hands and arms
- Regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds
- Required to drive an ALCC vehicle; must have an insurable driving record
- Must be able to speak, understand, read, and write English
Note: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions
This program is available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, marital or parental status, genetic information, and military service. Where a significant portion of the population eligible to be served needs services or information in a language other than English, the recipient shall take reasonable steps to provide written material of the type ordinarily available to the public in appropriate languages.
The Ancestral Lands Farm Fellow supports the initiatives of the Zuni Farm Corps Program located and operated at the ALCC Zuni Office and is managed and mentored by the Ancestral Lands and Farm Corps Staff. The responsibilities of the Farm Fellow are planting/cultivating indigenous plants, food, and seeds for the Zuni community, which includes constant care of the field and participation in field maintenance. Work may include but is not limited to removal of weeds from the field, irrigating the field and tool maintenance at the end of each day, harvesting and processing fresh crops, and processing and storing seeds. Participants will receive training in seed saving and propagation, traditional and modern sustainable agricultural practices, and traditional culinary and food preservation practices. The participants will be exposed to the elements of New Mexico weather, which may include but is not limited to severe weather in some conditions and will have to advise staff of any stand down situations that may occur.
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.
Preferred Experience and Qualifications:
- Demonstrated project management experience in Farming or Farm corps program
- Familiarity with Leave No Trace (LNT) principles
- Current Wilderness First Aid, Wilderness First Responder, and/or CPR certification
- Experience with ALCC or other conservation corps or youth corps
- Experience with experiential and/or environmental education
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Leadership experience with youth and/or young adults
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Experience working with the vulnerable population of people, i.e. children and the elderly
Our Commitment:
Conservation Legacy is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential functions. Some positions may require periodic overnight travel, non-traditional 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. Ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during 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 Monday to Friday 8 hour days, but exact service schedules may vary. A half hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service
- 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:
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Member will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
Benefits:
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Segal AmeriCorps Education Award TBD
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Living Allowance of $500 per week.
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Additional Benefit of $150 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:
ALCC Zuni Farm Corps Coordinator (970)317-3236, [email protected]
ALCC Zuni Office : Trailer #2 Twin Buttes Dr., Zuni, NM, 87327
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.
