Fall 2021 Leader Teams

The Student Conservation Association (SCA), America’s #1 conservation service organization seeks qualified applicants to lead, educate, and inspire on 2021 fall Leader Teams.    

Leader Teams consist of members and leaders who have previously served on an SCA team. These four- to six-person crews typically serve for four to eight weeks on public lands across the country. Crews may camp for duration of the season in front or back country sites and work to complete projects such as trail building and maintenance, removing invasive species, installing signs, and other conservation projects in the field.

 

Positions and Information:

  • Voyageurs National Park (MN): 8/11/2021 through 9/28/2021
    • 1 Leader and 4 Members
    • Projects include:
      • Removing blown down trees
      • Trail maintenance – corridor cleaning and structure building
      • Trail marking – sign installation and cairn construction
  • Allegheny National Forest (PA): 8/26/2021 through 10/27/2021
    • 1 Leader and 4 Members
    • Projects include:
      • Erosion control – installing pavers for trail surface stabilization
      • Trail maintenance – tread work, tree removal, rock stabilization, sign installation, and building and repairing structures
  • Abraham Lincoln Birthplace NHS (KY): 8/30/2021 through 11/23/2021
    • 1 Leader and 4 Members
    • Projects include:
      • 3-year cyclic repairs to the Knob Creek Back Country Access
        • Culvert installation and repairs
        • Trail maintenance – gravel installation (along with other tread repair), corridor clearing, vegetation control, and timber work
  • Cleveland Metro Parks (OH): 9/1/2021 through 11/2/2021
    • 1 Leader and 2 Members
    • Projects: TBD
  • Hopewell Furnace NHS (PA): 9/1/2021 through 10/5/2021
    • 1 Leader and 3 Members
    • Projects include:
      • Replacing split rail fencing at multiple areas within the site
      • Replacing small foot bridges along trails
      • Other: Orchard maintenance and whitewashing exteriors
  • Catoctin Mountain Park (MD): 9/15/2021 through 11/23/2021
    • 1 Leader and 4 Members
    • Projects will be determined by park staff. Past projects included:
      • Trail maintenance – downed tree removal, trail brushing and turnpike rehabilitation
      • Erosion control – water bar and check dam installation, and stone culvert replacement
      • Trailblazing – new system needs to be further implemented in the western portions of the park
  • Kennesaw Mountain NBP (GA): 9/15/2021 through 10/26/2021
    • 1 Leader and 5 Members
    • Projects include:
      • Trail rehabilitation – South Loop Trail
  • Shenandoah National Park (VA): 9/15/2021 through 11/16/2021 ($700)
    • 1 Leader and 3 Members
    • Projects could include:
      • Trail maintenance – downed tree removal, water bar maintenance, corridor clearing, vegetation control, and general trail condition assessment
      • Campground and picnic area maintenance – groundskeeping, building and distributing picnic tables, and clearing out firepits
      • Landscaping and invasive species control – trimming and weeding high traffic areas, removing invasive species, transplanting native plants, and collecting native seeds

 

Compensation and Benefits: $600 per week (paid bi-weekly); $200 uniform stipend; field-based meals; $650 roundtrip travel stipend.

Note: Program locations can shift and are still being finalized at this time.

Primary Responsibilities:

Supervise a crew in the field. Facilitate teamwork, manage field-based tasks and schedules, ensure safe practices, and guide crew dynamics.

  • Foster growth and inspire leadership. Assist experienced Crew Members in growing professionally, learning new skills, and building on their strengths.
  • Manage a restoration project. Complete a project with your team in the field, plan out team logistics, and work with partners on site.
  • Carry out administrative tasks. Manage a crew budget, complete program reports and paperwork, communicate with SCA staff, and follow all SCA policies and procedures.

Qualifications:

  • Must have previously led an SCA crew
  • Must be a minimum of 21 years of age
  • Must be authorized to work in the US
  • Must possess current Wilderness First Aid certification (WFR preferred) and CPR by the start date of the orientation training.
  • Experience working with youth or young adults
  • Experience as a teacher or leader in an informal or formal educational environment
  • Experience with outdoor living skills. Can include: camping (two weeks or more), hiking, safety awareness, leave no trace, camping, basic map/compass
  • Experience with conservation work skills or related skills, i.e., trail maintenance, trail construction, chainsaw
  • Ability to perform manual, physical labor for up to 8 hours per day. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move 40 pounds or more and hike 5 or more miles
  • Excellent communication skills needed
  • Possess a valid driver’s license for past three years and Motor Vehicle Record that meets SCA standards required
  • Ability to meet SCA’s criminal background check standards

To Apply: Contact [email protected] to apply. Please ensure that your SCA application is up-to-date with before reaching out.

Student Conservation Association
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