Timeline

SCA accepts applications year-round.

• January - SCA will begin reviewing Crew Member applications.
• April - SCA begins to offer accepted applicants specific crew positions. Applications will continue to be accepted until all positions are filled.

Application

You may apply online or download an application. Fax completed documents to 800.939.3141 or mail completed documents to HS Placement, PO Box 550 - 689 River Rd, Charlestown, NH  03603. You will be notified via email when your application is complete.

Your application will not be reviewed or considered for placement until the following items have been received.

• SCA Application, including 2-3 references.
• Crew Signature Form
• Medical Health History & Physician Recommendation Forms

Alumni & Returning Applicants

Please log in and update your application with relevant changes. Please contact us if you have forgotten your username/password. You must also complete and return the following:

• Medical Update Form

Application Status Inquiry

If you have recently submitted an application, please allow sufficient time for an email confirmation to arrive. Make certain you have completed the application body, the signature page, and relevant medical forms. Please contact us with any status inquiries.

Crew Member Application Review Process

Placement offers are based on these criteria, listed by order of importance:

• Your relevant experience & motivation to serve 
• Your demonstrated maturity, leadership & social responsibility 
• The date SCA received your complete application 
• Your availability dates
• Your preferred regional selection(s) for service

The SCA takes great care in assessing Crew Member applications. We ask for your patience while we review each applicant individually. Please understand that there is no guarantee of placement or that we will be able to accommodate your top regional selection(s).

The Placement Offer and Reply Date

We begin notifying Crew Member applicants of placement offers in early spring. Upon receiving the offer email you have 7 days to accept our placement and 14 days to secure proposed travel plans. Once your acceptance and travel confirmation has been received, the SCA will send you a Selection Packet. Included in this packet are two forms (Participant Agreement & Medical Waiver) that must be completed and returned. You will hear from your crew leaders at least one month prior to your program start. If you do not hear from your crew leaders please contact us.

The Waitlist

Only applicants who have received a waitlist invitation via email are eligible for the waitlist. To be placed on the waitlist, you must respond to the email immediately and outline any changes to your availability dates.

Crew members on the waitlist are not rank ordered. If space on a crew becomes available, a decision will be made at that time (ex. if a 15 year old female drops from a backcountry program, we will find a 15 year old female suitable for the backcountry from the waitlist). We send a final update to all waitlisted applicants by late June.

What if I don’t like my placement?

If you decline our offer, we can place you back into the general applicant pool, but we cannot guarantee that you will receive another placement offer. Remember that each site offers an amazing opportunity for conservation service and that every crew is in need of highly qualified members.