Conservation Begins Here.
The Student Conservation Association (SCA), America’s #1 conservation service organization seeks qualified applicants to lead, educate, and inspire a team of three students for the CA BLM Wild Corps program.
Program Dates: 2/2/2020 – 5/23/2020
Training Dates: 1/6/2020 – 2/1/2020 (mandatory paid training)
Program Wrap up Dates: 5/24/2020 – 5/29/2020
Primary Responsibilities:
As Project Leader, you will be responsible for the growth and development of a three-person crew as they complete several conservation projects throughout the California Desert. You will manage member and group safety and development while working on conservation projects, represent SCA on-site, and coordinate with Agency partner on designated projects.
Program Description:
A crew of three members and one Project Leader will be based in southeastern California and travel to various worksites throughout the California Desert District to work on projects in partnership with the BLM. Projects may include, though are not limited to: water, wildlife, and resource monitoring; invasive species monitoring and management; trail work and assessment; fence construction/removal; trail maintenance; public outreach events, and Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) restoration.
The crew will have housing in the Yucca Valley, CA area, however, much the of the crew’s time will be spent on field-based work hitches. Work hitches will last up to 10 days in length, and the crew will live and work out of tent camps in close proximity to worksites. Field-life is rugged, and while on hitch, members should expect to live without electricity, running water, and cell phone reception; additionally, while on hitch, this program is alcohol and substance free. Members will typically have 3-5 days off between hitches.
During this project, SCA members will each have the opportunity to learn and practice leadership skills. Each member will take turns serving as a “hitch-leader” which requires them to plan and implement all elements of a hitch, including drafting an emergency response plan, determining the necessary tools and equipment, planning meals, managing the base camp, and other related assignments.
WildCorps is a unique part of SCA’s Desert Restoration Corps (DRC) which is a partnership between SCA and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Since 2001, SCA members have worked with the BLM to address a variety of desert-related Wilderness issues. Over the years, SCA members have been directly responsible for developing and testing best practices of maintaining and restoring California Desert Protection Act of 1994.
Check out the Desert Restoration Corps homepage for an in-depth look at what our WildCorps and other DRC crews have been up to.
Specifically, the Crew Leader will:
- Act as a Crew Supervisor, by facilitating teamwork, managing field-based tasks, and guiding crew dynamics
- Serve as an Advisor, by training members in technical conservation work skills, mentoring personal and professional development, and teaching environmental stewardship
- Act as a Project Manager, by communicating with agency park partners, ensuring successful and timely completion of work projects, and upholding a positive representation of SCA
- Perform tasks as a Program Administrator, by organizing logistics, completing documentation, managing a budget, and communicating with SCA staff
Qualifications:
- Experience working with youth or young adults 18 years of age and older, teaching or environmental education a plus
- Experience with conservation work skills or related skills preferred – i.e. trail maintenance, trail construction, habitat restoration, chainsaw, carpentry, landscaping, and gardening
- Ability to perform manual, physical labor for up to 8 hours per day, exposed to the elements and most occasionally lift and/or move 40 pounds or more
- Current Wilderness First Responder and CPR certification required by the start of training
- Must be able to attend Project Leader training: 1/6/2020 – 2/1/2020
- Must be a minimum of 21 years of age
- Must have ability to legally work in the US
- Must have a valid driver’s license for 3+ years and MVR that meets SCA standards
- Must be able to meet SCA’s criminal background check standards
Compensation: $600/week total salary, paid training
To Apply: Click Login or Sign Up. Create a profile, complete the basic application and then select Leader Application when prompted. Please be sure to upload your cover letter, resume, and two (2) references. Once your application is complete, you MUST email [email protected] with the position of interest listed in the subject line. This is the only way for us to know your application has been submitted.
FOR HIGHEST CONSIDERATION APPLY BY ___________. Applicants are highly encouraged to apply early as positions are filled on a rolling basis.
SCA is an EOE dedicated to workforce diversity.
For more information about SCA, visit us at www.theSCA.org