Peer Leadership Team

Are you looking for a challenging and rewarding career in conservation? The Nevada Conservation Corps Peer Leadership Team (PLT) is an opportunity for aspiring leaders to further leadership and technical skills through hands-on training and service. Spend a season with NCC as an AmeriCorps member living and working in the wild and scenic landscapes of Nevada. As an PLT participant you will camp for up to seven nights at a time, explore aspen covered mesas, sagebrush valleys, prehistoric oceans turned salt flats, the darkest, star filled skies in America, ancient volcanoes, massive sand dunes, and snow-capped granite peaks. Nevada’s abundant and diverse public lands provide incredible backdrops for both recreation and career development opportunities.

For the first four months (October - January), PLT members focus on individual and team growth with mentorship that prioritizes the development of skills meant to prepare you for the challenges of leading a crew. Some of the leadership training topics include problem solving, conflict resolution, communication, collaboration, team development, and effective decision-making. Conservation technical training includes hazardous fuels reduction, trails construction and maintenance, habitat restoration, and data collection. Functioning as a peer-led team this crew will work to complete projects and training as a team rotating leadership responsibilities. At NCC we believe skills are best acquired within the context of daily work challenges. 

Upon successful completion of the Peer Leadership Team, in Spring of 2022 you may be offered a promotion as a crew leader or assistant crew lead dependent upon performance. Spring projects will be primarily in Las Vegas, but may be opportunity to move to Reno, NV. If promoted, you will take on the responsibility of leading a crew while coordinating with federal, state, and non-profit partners to meet the conservation and resource management needs of our public lands. You will be expected to collaborate with peers to see that project goals are accomplished safely and efficiently. Based on your specific projects you will be camped in the field with your crew on either 4-day and/or 8-day “tours” in primitive and remote locations. With mentorship and training, crew leaders are expected to manage crews effectively and facilitate an inclusive, cohesive community.

Different from any other professional experiences, being a crew leader with the NCC is a full-time, intensive commitment. Preparing for projects and leading a crew requires unwavering dedication and a willingness to put the needs of others first. Successful applicants will demonstrate dependability, excellent judgment, and high standards. We are looking for individuals who will lead by example and be a role model for the members who join our program. Though this position is challenging, the rewards are abundant and the bonds forged with your crew, peers, and with the natural world will last a lifetime.

Contract Timeline: September 2022 - May 2023

Location: Las Vegas, NV

Compensation and Benefits: This is an AmeriCorps position; candidates will receive a living allowance dependent on their length of service. The living allowance is a fixed amount, not an hourly wage or a salary.

Segal Education Award:

After successfully completing an AmeriCorps term of service members are eligible to receive the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award. For this term of service the education award amount will vary depending on the length of service term. Education award amounts for this position range from $4,546.50. You can use the award to repay qualified student loans and to pay current educational expenses at eligible institutions of higher education and training programs.

Student Loan Forbearance:

If you are currently paying on any federal student loans you have the option to put those loans into forbearance during your time as an AmeriCorps volunteer, that will allow you to cease payments while serving.

Interest Accrual Repayment:

As AmeriCorps alum, you are eligible to have the National Service Trust pay all or a portion of the interest that accumulated on your qualified student loan(s) during your term of service. These payments are made in addition to the Education Award, and are not deducted from your Education Award balance. To be eligible to have accrued interest paid: The loan must have been placed in forbearance for the service period, and you must have successfully completed a term of service and received an Education Award.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Eligibility:

AmeriCorps Volunteers qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Insurance:

Limited Health, Dental and Vision Insurance will be completely paid for at no cost to you by the Great Basin Institute.

Optional Training & Education we will provide include: