Gain professional career skills, contribute to public lands, and launch your natural resource career with the Montana Conservation Corps!
Montana Conservation Corps is a nonprofit organization that engages youth and adults through hands-on conservation service and education. MCC serves in four regions across the state of Montana, with approximately 40 staff and 450 members (leaders, members, and interns) who work on physically demanding and essential natural resource and conservation projects on some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the Northern Rockies and Plains. while most of the service is accomplished in the field, MCC’s main goal is not to build trails but to help members develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to be active citizens in their community.
Montana Conservation Corps believes that through conservation service and authentic connection, you can sharpen your ability to create change and join the next generation of leaders for a better world. At MCC, we focus on the growth of our members, making a positive impact on public lands, and teaching transferable career skills.
A Season with the Montana Conservation Corps
Why join an MCC crew? View these member perspectives of their experience in the field.
Adventure with Purpose!
Whether you’re looking to jump start a career in conservation, improve our public lands, grow as an individual, or simply get outside, there is something for everyone at MCC. Projects may encompass trail maintenance and construction, watershed and habitat restoration, invasive plant species management, fuels reduction, native planting, remote backcountry tasks, and more! Through a term of service with MCC, participants will learn practical career skills, build confidence, strengthen communication and leadership competencies, and develop the ability to work well with people from all walks of life.
Leadership Development @ MCC
MCC often sees applicants who don’t realize they are qualified to take on a role here. MCC is a developmental program and it's their job to teach, train, and develop leadership competencies in each participant. MCC recognizes that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond the technical requirements of a position, therefore position descriptions are guidelines, not hard and fast rules. Your experience, which may include paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer service, helps build the competencies and knowledge that translates to MCC openings. MCC encourages ANYONE to apply that has an interest in not only conservation but bettering themselves for the future.
What Qualities Make a Person Successful at MCC? • A passion for service, conservation and public lands • A positive mental attitude and seeing others with positive regard • A commitment to serving the whole term • A growth mindset — a willingness to learn, grow, and challenge yourself • A commitment to motivating others and their success • A desire to hone your personal leadership style • Adaptability and flexibility
Location! Location! Location! MCC’s state headquarters is located in Bozeman—one of the fastest growing towns of its size in the nation. Each regional office (Bozeman, Helena, Missoula, and Kalispell) is surrounded by some of the most beautiful, wild, and protected places in the lower 48, with millions of acres of national forest, not to mention Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks!
Featured Crew & Staff Job Opportunities
2026 Crews—Now Hiring! •Crew Leader and Field Support Technicians(February start dates). Applicants must be between the ages of 21-35. $1,360-$1,440 paid biweekly plus an end-of-season education award and free health insurance. •Crew Members(May start dates; fall only options available). Applicants must be between the ages of 17-30 (35 for military veterans). $1,200 paid biweekly plus an end-of-season education award and free health insurance.
MCC STAFF Openings MCC staff are passionate about empowering young leaders, service, and improving our environment. They love the great outdoors, having fun, working hard, dressing casual, and just about any occasion to share yummy food together!
Vice President of Programs & Operations • The VP of Programs & Operations serves as MCC’s chief leader for corps member development, building on established strengths to drive ongoing progress. This role makes sure that conservation services meet the unique needs of project partners across the board. As a senior leader, the VP guides program staff, shaping a workplace culture rooted in learning, care, and inclusion, while also overseeing daily operations and staff professional growth. Responsibilities include turning strategic goals into practical steps that yield positive outcomes, managing AmeriCorps grant processes—from preparation to reporting and evaluation—and supporting MCC’s advocacy efforts related to national service and government programs affecting its work. This full-time, year-round position is based out of Bozeman with a flexible start date April/May. $110,000+ (DOE) plus full benefits. Apply here(application review to begin March 9th).
Adventure with purpose — take a glimpse into MCC field crew programs.
Montana Conservation Corps crews engage in a wide variety of projects across many different landscapes. Not all crews will serve on all types of projects. Crews may also be deployed for natural disaster relief. Projects and crew types may shift during the season. Below are some examples of what you could be doing in the field.
Field Crews Field Crews serve on conservation projects while camping together as a crew in locations throughout Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, and the Dakotas. Projects duties may include building or maintaining trails, treating or removing invasive species, building fences, operating chainsaws to reduce wildfire risks by thinning trees, among many other types of projects. Field Crews are a great fit for anyone looking to get exposure to a variety of conservation initiatives.
Forestry Crews Forestry Crews offer opportunities to gain considerable field experience in a variety of Forest Service timber management activities. Project duties may include tree species id, timber stand assessment, tree marking, timber sale boundary marking, tree planting, silviculture prescriptions, reforestation plot surveying, chainsaw operations/maintenance, precommercial thinning, fireline/fuelbreak operations, and more.
Field & Fuels Crews Field & Fuels Crews will likely have a high proportion of chainsaw use, fireline construction and other forest health monitoring activities. Additional duties include building or maintaining trails, treating or removing invasive species, building fences, and many other types of projects. Crews may be deployed for natural disaster relief.
Wildland Restoration Teams Wildland Restoration Teams (Bozeman, Kalispell, & Missoula) participate in the identification, treatment and inventory of invasive plant species utilizing chemical, mechanical and biological treatment techniques. Projects may include chainsaw use. Wetlands and habitat restoration projects: including managing invasive plants through herbicide application, seed collection, and/ or various stream restoration techniques listed below. Projects are often rigorous, requiring participants to carry a heavy backpack sprayer in hot weather across rugged terrain while wearing protective gear.
Wildland Restoration Teams (Mesic/Stream Restoration in Helena) participate in stream restoration that can include re-vegetation, early detection and rapid response of new invaders. Teams also complete beaver mimicry and in-stream beaver dam analog construction, a simple, effective, and non-invasive approach to riparian restoration. This effectively slows down and spreads water over the landscape to expand critical habitat, mitigate wildfire, reduce invasive species and increase water availability in traditionally parched times of year. This position is based in Helena, MT with extensive travel throughout the central & eastern part of the state required.
Youth Program Leaders
If you're committed and inspired by making an impact on both the lives of youth and our public lands, then serving as a Youth Program Leader is a great fit! MCC High School Expedition and Helena Youth Corps crews are service experiences for Montana teens ages 14-18. Youth Members spend their time outdoors, camping, learning, exploring, and serving on priority conservation projects to improve wildlife habitat and recreation resources like trails and campgrounds on our beloved public lands.
Youth Leadership Options
Train the next generation of land stewards during the summer months. Youth Leader positions can be a great fit for college students! Projects may include building or maintaining trails, building fences, and habitat restoration, among many other types of conservation projects. Crews will camp for the full duration of the session, oftentimes in remote locations on varied terrain and in all weather conditions. Camping accommodations are typically tent camping in sites that you’re able to drive up to.
Youth Expedition Leaders serve with a co-leader to oversee 4-6 youth participants on overnight service projects. These projects range in 3-11 days in length with one week of local community-based projects. Youth participants are Montana residents ages 14-18 years old and come from a variety of backgrounds. Each expedition will be with a different roster of youth participants.
Helena Youth Corps Leaders support and supervise Montana five high school youth in the successful completion of natural resource and community service projects, provide on-site management of a youth crew, implement curriculum and actively facilitate crew dynamics to ensure a high level of crew community and safety. Leaders will serve with a co-leader to oversee five youth participants on overnight conservation-based projects. These projects will be 11 days in length, and each project will be in a different area of the Helena Lewis & Clark National Forest. Youth participants are Montana residents ages 17-18 years old and come from a variety of backgrounds who will be serving as AmeriCorps members and will be participating for all 4 sessions throughout the summer season.
What can you learn as an Individual Placement Program AmeriCorps member with Montana Conservation Corps?Catch a glimpse into life as an Intern, Fellow, or Big Sky Watershed Corps member with MCC!
Individual Placement Program
As an AmeriCorps member serving in an Individual Placement Program, you will contribute to lasting conservation efforts in Montana and the surrounding states. As a Conservation Fellow or Intern OR Big Sky Watershed Corps Member, you will be placed with a federal or state agency, conservation nonprofit, tribal office, or a community-based conservation organization to work toward their conservation goals. You will also be mentored by conservation professionals with a focus on applicable career skills and career development. MCC staff will meet with you biweekly to provide guidance and advice and you will participate in additional MCC-facilitated training opportunities to maximize your experience. These positions are perfect for participants looking for a more individualized experience.
Amskapi Piikuni Partnership
The Piikuni Lands Corps is a program for indigenous youth and adults. Crew members serve on ancestral lands to develop skills and learn about cultural values. Joining the Piikuni Lands Crew gives you the opportunity to serve alongside others from the Blackfeet Nation who share your interest in making a lifelong impact on the community and nearby ancestral lands. Through this experience, you will have the opportunity to gain valuable career skills including trail maintenance, wildlife surveying, fencing, facilities maintenance, and much more. In addition to technical skills, you stand to gain experience in teamwork, effective communication, and leadership.
Perks & Rewards
Compensation ranges from a bi-weekly living allowance of $1,200–$1,440 plus an AmeriCorps education award upon successful completion of your program, plus plentiful benefits!
Depending on position, benefits include FREE health insurance, housing opportunities may be available in specific regions, enrollment in the Member Assistance program (providing FREE 24/7 behavioral health consulting), CPR/first aid certification, technical skills training, food per diem while on projects, access to pro deals on day one, MCC group gear and equipment, MCC vehicles for travel to project sites, professional level certifications, resume building, federal hiring training, Public Lands Corps Hiring Preference, access to Community Spaces, and so much more.
The Essentials
Aside from staff positions, all of MCC opportunities are AmeriCorps service positions that are entry level. You do not need to have former outdoor or corps experience to succeed here at MCC! As a developmental program, MCC will provide you with the skillsets and leadership competencies you need to thrive in all types of career paths.
Basic Qualifications: • High school degree, GED, or willingness to pursue obtaining a GED • US citizen, national or lawful permanent resident • Ability to pass a National Service Criminal History Check • 21+ years old by the start date (Leaders); 18+ by start date (Members) • Valid driver’s license, ability to pass a Motor Vehicle Records check • Ability to eventually hike 3-20 miles per day in terrain that can be steep, rocky or uneven, often wearing a 45 lb backpack while carrying tools and sometimes backpacking with full packs of 60-70 lbs • Ability to lift up to 35 pounds repeatedly and use hand and power tools • Effective written and oral communication skills • Ability to obtain Wilderness Advanced First Aid/CPR training (training is reimbursable to allotted amount; MCC provides training) • Strong service ethic and desire to serve the community and the environment • Willingness to serve long hours in all weather conditions • Ability to be away on overnight trips for up to 10 days at a time • Commitment to completing term; available for duration of entire term of service
Community & Support
If you're looking to be a part of a welcoming community where you can experience safety, belonging, and validation, the Montana Conservation Corps has got you covered!
You Are Supported within the MCC Community! MCC is committed to being welcoming to all and encourages people of all backgrounds to apply.
Your First Move & Connections
A Day in the Life. View what it's like to serve on a MCC field crew!
Explore open positions here. The application is quick and simple, and typically someone will get back to you within a few weeks regarding the next steps!
Caleb Stewart (he/him/his)
Assistant Director of Recruitment & Admissions Montana Conservation Corps
301 N Willson Ave
Bozeman, MT 59715
(406) 587-4475 ext 106 caleb@mtcorps.org MTCorps.org
