FAQ

General Info
The Application Process
Finding, Choosing & Sorting Positions
Review Process
Contacting SCA for Assistance

GENERAL INFORMATION

Internet Browsers And Error Messages

Our system works consistently with Internet Explorer or Firefox on a PC, and Safari or Firefox on a Mac. (Do not use Internet Explorer on a Mac.)  
If you get errors, try deleting temporary internet files and cookies (located under Tools - Internet Options). If you continue to experience problems, please email our admissions department and include a copy of the error message: Admissions@theSCA.org.

Searching for Internship Positions

There are three ways to find internship positions on our website:  Find an Internship allows you to search using several different criterion; Browse All Internships is a complete list that can be sorted by start date or by state; Hot Internships is updated weekly to highlight positions that may require a specialized set of skills, need to be filled quickly or include other special circumstances.

International Internship Applicants

Information can be found here.

Searching for High School Crews

These can be searched by region of the country. See Crew Information. 

Searching for Crew Leader Positions

To find current openings, if any, go to the SCA Home Page and click on Employment.

Academic Credit

Interns may be able to receive academic credit through the college or institution in which they are currently enrolled. Contact your academic advisor to discuss whether this is possible.

For interns not currently enrolled in an academic program or institution, Colorado State University's Department of Natural Resources, Recreation, and Tourism offers an option to earn up to 12 undergraduate credits (tuition fee required), work with an academic mentor and receive a grade for the work. Detailed information will be made available to everyone who is chosen to serve in an SCA internship position. Applicants must wait until they have accepted a position to apply for Colorade State University credit.

THE APPLICATION PROCESS

Step 1: Create an Account

To begin an application, you first create an account. At the top right of any SCA website page, click on log in.
Under the Create Account tab, you will be prompted to choose a Username and Password.
Each SCA program requires its own Username and Password.
For instance, if you have applied for or completed a high school crew position, have now graduated from high school and want to apply for an internship, you will redo all of the steps of applying – beginning with creating a new Username and Password.

Step 2: Choose a Program

If you’re not sure which program you are qualified for or interested in, explore the options in the right hand column: learn about crews, search for internships or search for field leader positions.

Step 3: Begin an Application

Log in. Find Access or create your application in the right hand column. Click on it. On the next page you will need to re-enter your password.

Step 4: Create a Profile

After filling in the information, be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom of the page to see your options for continuing or saving your application.
IMPORTANT: You must save each section as it is completed.

Step 5: Adding Information and Saving

Use the Save & Go Back if you want to check on or change a section you’ve already completed.
Click Save & Continue (or Save as Complete & Continue) to finish filling out your application right away, or if you need to stop for now, Save & Continue Later.

MORE ABOUT THE PROCESS

Continuing an Application You Have Begun

Login. Click on Access or create my application. Enter your password again when prompted. Under Main Menu click on My Application. That will take you to the last page you input information.

Hints

Read any messages on the first page of the application under the IMPORTANT banner. Following them will make your application stronger. As you are working, remember to Save as Complete after each section. You can click Save and Go Back in order to edit previous pages. However, there are a few pages where this is not possible.

Exceptions

If you are on the Application Fee page, you must pay the fee before continuing. You will not be able to access any other pages until it has been processed. If you have questions about your fee payment, please contact SCA Admissions at 603.543.1700 ext. 370 or 372.
If you are on the Optional Survey or Short Answer page, you can only Save & Go Forward. It’s not possible to Save & Go Back from those pages.

Fee for Applying

There is a one-time application fee of $25 ($40 for non-US citizens). A single payment allows you to apply for an unlimited number of positions. You will encounter the fee page after the request for references.
You may pay by credit card online or send a check or money order to: SCA Center for Conservation Service, PO Box 550, NH 03603. If you have any questions, please contact Admissions staff at 603.543.1700 ext. 370 or 372. 
Exception
Crew leaders do not pay an application fee. 

Status of My Application (and sorting positions)

Login and click on Create or access my application. Enter your password again when prompted.
Under the Main Menu tab, next to My Application, you will find information about whether your application is complete, whether a specific item is missing such as references, the application fee, or whether you simply need to continue where you left off.

Checking by Using the Stages Filter

Stages refers to where you are in the overall process of applying for an internship. This is a way to sort the status of your attached positions, too.
• No Interest Yet – no positions have been attached (they may be in your Cart or in Favorites).
• Interested – positions are attached but have not been processed by SCA placement staff.
(Your application may not be complete. Please double-check to make sure you’ve entered all the information. Have you paid the fee? Have your references been sent in?)
• Sent – positions have been sent for consideration. You will be contacted if a site chooses to interview you.
Interviewing – primarily High School Crews and Leader programs, not Internships.
Reviewed – High School Crew and Leader programs only, not Internships. 
• Offer – This can reflect one of two situations:
1. You have received an offer to fill an internship, or
2. An offer is in process, but SCA may not have processed the paperwork yet.
• Selected – You have been offered a position.
CL Placeholder – for Leader positions only, not Internships.
• Field Approved – an offer has been made and accepted, the paperwork is in order
and you are ready to start your position.    
• Declined Offer – lists positions you have been offered but chose not to accept.
• Disqualified – This means one of two very different things:
1. You have not met a requirement for the position, or
2. You have requested to have the position removed from your application.

Changing Programs for My Application

Once a program category is chosen, it can not be changed. You must create a new Username and Password and fill out a new application if you want to apply for a different – or more than one - program.
Please note… If you have paid one application fee and want to apply for a new program,
contact Admissions in order to have the fee waived for the second application. Call 603.543.1700 ext. 370 or 372 or email us at Admissions@thesca.org. 

Offline Applications

Completing the application online is the most efficient way to find an internship or other program position. If you only have access to dial-up internet service or don’t have regular access to a computer, we can email you an application to print out. 
Each program has a specific application so be sure to include in your email which program(s) you’re interested in so we can send the correct application(s). Send your request to Admissions@theSCA.org.

FINDING AND CHOOSING POSITIONS

Login and click on Find Internships. There are several filters for finding positions that most closely fit your interests, dates available and experience.

Choosing Appropriate Positions

Read carefully to find positions that match your interests, the skills you can offer, any requirements (driver’s license, etc.) and the dates you are available.

Using Favorites

As you search position descriptions, you’ll see an option to Save to Your Favorites. If you think you might be interested in a particular position, but are not sure, place it in your Favorites. You are creating a list that’s easy to reconsider without needing to go back through the whole list. 
 

Adding Positions

Adding positions is a two-step process.
Step 1: Once you have read an entire description and are interested, make sure that you meet skill requirements and are available during the internship dates. If you are sure you would accept the position if offered, click on Add to My Cart.
Step 2: You must click on Apply for Positions Now to Attach what’s in your cart to the application. If you haven’t taken this step, SCA admissions staff can not consider you for the position(s).

IMPORTANT
You can’t be considered for any position until you have Added it to your cart and then attached it to your application.

Hints

It’s helpful to include a handful of choices. The process is competitive, so providing us options means your chances are better for succeeding as an SCA candidate. If possible, choose both a variety of locations around the country and types of positions.
There is no limit to the number of positions you may apply for, but please only add positions that you are quite sure you would accept if offered.
IMPORTANT
We cannot consider you for any positions until you have paid the fee, clicked on Submit the Application and have at least one Reference form completed and attached to it. 

Sorting Positions that You’ve Attached to Your Application

By Date
(This applies only to positions you’ve attached to your application. This is different than
general searching for internships. It applies to your application itself.)
Each page shows 10 positions. To view more, click on Next. 
By date range
- Insert the range of start dates you are available and the range of end dates
  (which should be later than the last start date) in the appropriate boxes. 
- Use actual start and end dates.
- Indicate a full year. Select a specific year and the start and end dates fields will automatically
 fill in.

Hints

You can save your sort/filter settings. Click Remember My Setting and then every time you log in to your application those settings will apply. 
To clear the settings, click on Clear.
To change them, click on Clear, add new settings and then click Apply Filter.

[See also the section: Status of My Application, Stages sorting]

Deleting Positions

You cannot delete positions from your application once attached. If you no longer wish to be considered for a position, please notify us at Admissions@theSCA.org. Tell us the 4 digit ID code of the position. It will still show up  on the application, but “Disqualified” will be displayed next to it.
You can use the “sort” feature as you review your selections so that disqualified positions don’t show.

THE REVIEW PROCESS

SCA Review

We only review applications that are complete.  This includes the application, references on file and payment of the application fee. We begin matching candidates to positions based on an internship’s start date; if possible, this is three or four months before the position will begin.
Hints:
New positions are constantly coming in to SCA and quite often there isn’t a three or four month lead time between posting and the start date of the internship.
Check back frequently to review new positions in case you wish to add one or more  to your cart and apply for the position(s).

Review timing for positions posted early. 
Positions Begin                 Candidates Begin to Be Reviewed
January-February                 September 15
March-April                           November 15
May-July                               February 15
August-September               May 15
October-November               July 15
December                             August 15

Site Review of Candidates for a Specific Position

If your application is sent to a site, you will receive an email letting you know. The email will usually contain information about reaching the site coordinator. However, you may not receive site contact information if the site staff member in charge of hiring wishes to contact you directly.

Contacting Internship Sites Directly

SCA and our agency partners ask that you not contact internship site staff. If you do so, they will refer you to us. Once the staff at a site chooses to consider you for their position, we’ll let you know.

ASSISTANCE

Our Admissions Team is dedicated to helping you through the application process. If you have questions, please contact us at Admissions@theSCA.org or 603-543-1700 ext 499.