Conservation Begins Here®
The Student Conservation Association (SCA), America’s #1 conservation service organization seeks young adult interns 18+ or older interested in conservation service work. The Maryland Veteran Conservation Corps consists of 1 Leader and 3 Members. This team of military veterans will work in Merkle Natural Resources Management Area and other nearby state parks, and on projects which may involve some travel.
Program dates:
- Leader – 1/22/24 – 1/24/25
- Corps Members – 2/5/24 to 1/17/25
Schedule: Members are expected to use their personal vehicle to commute to worksite daily. Daily work schedule is 7AM – 3PM.
Pay Rate: Members will earn $19.00/hour (pre-tax) and paid bi-weekly. Members are eligible for medical, dental, vision, short term disability, retirement benefits and paid time off through SCA
Transportation and Site Location: Members are expected to use their personal vehicle to commute to worksite daily. Leader will transport members throughout the park and additional work sites in the program vehicle. The park is located at 11704 Fenno Rd, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772. Parking is available onsite.
Work Description:
Members will support the Maryland Park Service at Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary and other Maryland State Parks throughout the state. This position will give team members the work skills needed to enter into the conservation workforce. Work-skills training is provided through Maryland Park Service. Training may include chainsaw, emergency medical responder, introduction to search and rescue, small craft safety, interpretive skills. Other training opportunities are available through Maryland Park Service and will be identified once program begins. Additional training in trail maintenance, minor construction, and park specific skills are provided on site in a hands-on setting.
Project tasks may include:
- Trail maintenance throughout the parks and the tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay.
- Support resurfacing projects throughout park trails using a variety of ground materials
- Incorporation of landscaping elements (berms and plantings, for example) to help with safety and sustainability of trails and pond banks
- Carpentry Projects to support park goals
- Support invasive plant removal efforts
- Chainsaw projects
Training may include:
- Basic first aid and CPR training
- Field tool use
- Plant ID
- Trail building and maintenance skills
- Safety and risk management
Program best practices, tool usage, safety, and job hazard assessments will be part of training and daily briefings. 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.
Benefits:
- Earn a stipend or wage for your work
- Explore green jobs and career opportunities
- Complete important conservation projects throughout Maryland State Parks
- Participate in professional development and skill building as a team
- Alumni benefits after successful completion of program
- SCA/VCC gear package
APPLICATION: Once you have submitted your application and at least two references, please email [email protected] to confirm your application has been submitted.
- Click Login or Sign Up.
- Create a profile, complete the Basic application, Conservation Corps & Internship Application, and Final Application.
- 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.
COVID-19: Visit the following website for more information regarding SCA's COVID-19 Management Policies: www.thesca.org/covid.
SCA 1957
Position ID: PO-00735956
Expected Dates: February 5, 2024 - January 17, 2025
Location:
11704 Fenno Road
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
US
Training Provided: Work-skills training is provided through Maryland Park Service. Training may include chainsaw, emergency medical responder, introduction to search and rescue, small craft safety, interpretive skills.
Professional Development Opportunities: In additon to trainings listed above, leader and members will learn:
- Basic carpentry
- Basic tool identification, use, safety, and PPE
- Trail construction and maintenance
- Landscaping and site restoration training
- Proper tree/sapling/seed planting techniques
- Dendrology/botany that provides background for using keys to identify tree/plant native and invasive species
- Seed collection/stratification methods
- Proper limb pruning using collar cuts
- Certified applicator training for herbicides/pesticides
- Remove hazardous trees along all trails and developed areas.
- Perform general trail maintenance, bridge and stream stabilization, re-routing, and blazing on trails.
- Establish MPS Trail Wayfinding Standards with new signage on trails.
- Take part in park facility maintenance and beautification projects (roofing, grounds maintenance, campsite renovations).
- Remove invasive plant species.
- Operate heavy equipment.
- Plant trees and pollinator plantings.
- Complete carpentry projects including construction of footbridges, kiosks, and routered signage.
Main Area of Focus: Natural Resources Mgmt
Further Details
AmeriCorps Eligible: Not Eligible
Driving Logistics: Recommended
Travel to/from meeting locations for daily pickup to worksites.
Housing or Stipend Provided?
D. No housing is available
Indoor/Outdoor: Combination