Conservation Begins Here®
The Student Conservation Association (SCA), America’s #1 conservation service organization seeks qualified applicants to lead, educate, and inspire students for the programs.
- HIRING POOL: The C&O Canal Towpath Crews program runs throughout the year and has select leader positions. Please follow the HOW TO APPLY instructions below to complete a leader application for consideration for this position
- APPLICATION CODE: PO-00735929
Training Dates: First two weeks of position (paid mandatory training)
Program dates: During the October 2023 – April 2024 program season; Potential contract extension for successful candidates
Work Schedule: Rotating A and B week schedule. Up to five hours per week of administrative work outside of normal work hours.
A Week = Monday – Friday 6:00 am – 3:30 pm
B Week = Monday – Thursday 6:00 am – 3:30 pm, Friday off
Transportation and Site Locations: The leader must provide their own transportation to and from the maintenance shop in each district of the C&O Canal. The leader will be required to go through mandatory training and driving test during their first week to be able to operate a National Park Service (NPS) work truck.
- Palisades Crew Leader – The Palisades shop is located at 11710 Macarthur Blvd Potomac, MD.
- Hancock Crew Leader – The Hancock shop is located at 441 East Main Street Hancock, MD.
- Oldtown Crew Leader – The Oldtown shop is located at 18907 Green Spring Road SE Oldtown, MD.
Primary Responsibilities:
As Crew Leader, you will guide and lead a team of 2 to 3 young adult members to complete field conservation projects at the C&O Canal National Historical (CHOH) Park. This young adult crew will work alongside NPS staff on a variety of projects including vegetation removal and maintenance of historical structures along the Canal.
Project tasks may include:
- Vegetation removal from historic culverts, locks, flumes, abutments, walls, and other historic stone structures within park boundaries
- Crews may assist NPS staff with removal of fallen trees in the park and along the towpath (trail)
- Crews may support projects related to carpentry, masonry, and GIS mapping during the parks off season
Training may include:
- If leaders do not already have basic first aid and CPR training, they will receive this training and certification during the program
- Members of this crew may receive chainsaw certification, dependent upon the capacity of NPS staff to host the training.
- Program best practices, tool usage, safety, and job hazard assessments will be part of training and daily briefings.
Skills Development:
- All members will learn to work in new environments, outdoor spaces, in a crew-model with new people, all while learning new field skills. Being open to new experiences is a huge advantage for crew members.
- In addition to field work and community outreach projects, crew leaders should expect to complete ~3-5 hours/weekly outside of work hours to complete crew leader administration tasks.
- These tasks may include coding expense receipts, uploading photos from the field, writing incident reports, or reviewing members’ time logs, among other things. The leader will be compensated for required leader training, hours worked each weekend, and post-program wrap up tasks.
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
Leader Qualifications:
- Experience working with youth or young adults (18 years old+) 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 must occasionally lift and/or move 40 pounds or more
- Must be able to complete required Crew Leader training
- Must be a minimum of 21 years of age
- Must have the 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
Leader Benefits and Compensation:
- $825/weekly salary; Bi-weekly pay
- Cell phone monthly stipend
- Earn a stipend or wage for your work
- Explore green jobs and career opportunities
- Complete important conservation projects at a National Historical Park
- Participate in professional development and skill building as a team
- Alumni network and benefits after successful completion of program
- SCA gear package
- Bonus: If the position is successfully completed, members may be eligible to earn the Public Land Corps (PLC) Hiring Authority giving them eligibility to apply to merit vacancy announcements within the Federal Government for two years.
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 complete each application section, upload your resume, and two (2) references.
- IMPORTANT! 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.
SCA is an EOE dedicated to workforce diversity. Click here to learn more about Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at the SCA.
For more information about SCA, visit us at www.theSCA.org
Position ID: PO-00735929
Main Area of Focus: Natural Resources Mgmt
Further Details
AmeriCorps Eligible: Not Reviewed
Housing or Stipend Provided?
D. No housing is available