Alaska Corps Teams

The Student Conservation Association’s Alaska Corps team is focused on providing young adults opportunities to grow competitive skills in the field of conservation trail work to prepare them to move into jobs with our project partners after their term of service. Members of the crew will spend three months on service projects with various federal, state and local agencies across Alaska. Skills will include hands-on conservation service experience, professional development training and nationally recognized certifications.

SCA Alaska Trail Corps

Service projects will include trail work projects:

• Construction of new trail using hand tools
• Maintenance of current trail, including drainages
• Boardwalks
• Brushing
• Fuels reduction work (felling and bucking dead trees)
• Pulling invasive species

**This position is part of a specialized SCA AmeriCorps program, and if you are selected, you will be serving as an SCA AmeriCorps member. **

The duration of projects will vary. A variety of projects will be performed in partnership with various federal, state and local partners on numerous conservation projects across Alaska. Teams may operate with partner staff or on their own to produce the outputs of the project. Service will mostly be outdoors and will typically require heavy lifting (~50 lb). Members will use hand tools and may have the opportunity to use equipment such as chainsaws. Team members will be supervised in the field by an SCA Project leader. All team members are expected to be respectful, on-time, hardworking, and aware of conditions to ensure a safe service environment.

Due to the geography and logistics in Alaska, applicants must be able to commit to the full duration of the season.

Alaska Female Fire Team Program

The SCA Alaska All Female Fire Corps is a partnership between the SCA and the National Park Service.

The SCA Alaska All Female Fire Corps is a 14-week AmeriCorps program focused on leadership and skills development, designed to increase the representation of female-identifying and non-binary people in wildland fire. As a member of an eight-person crew, you will be led by two SCA Project Leaders. The team will undergo Guard School training with the National Park Service and will likely be deployed on one live fire during the season, during which times they will be employed and paid by the NPS. After this season, members and leaders will be competitive for wildland fire jobs with multiple agencies.

Hours
Corps members serve approximately 80 hours over the course of two weeks for the duration of the program. They will work 10 8-hour days, followed by 6 days of downtime. During the fire assignment, the team may work up to 12 or 16 hours per day.

Leadership development
Leadership development is an important component of the SCA Alaska Corps program. Members will go through intentional leadership and communication training to prepare them to excel as leaders in the field. Responsibilities include self-leadership and group participation, cooking meals, critically thinking about hazards and risks on the project, and reporting outputs and timesheets related to member service activities. SCA Alaska field staff will be assigned to support the crew to provide technical on-the-ground support/training and additional leadership training and guidance (as needed).

Crew Housing
Housing will be provided in the form of tent camping and/ or bunkhouses. SCA will provide tents while members are expected to bring their own sleeping pad and bag.

Transportation
Program vehicles will be provided for the daily commute to the work site, and they will be driven by the SCA Project Leader and any AmeriCorps member who is 21+ and successfully completes SCA’s Drivers Training.  During field season, members should expect to be traveling with their crew to project sites throughout Alaska, which may include ferry or plane travel.

About Alaska
You’ve probably heard about the awe and beauty of Alaska. But have you heard about the variety of ecosystems across the state? Be sure to do some research, so you know if you are going to a coastal temperate rainforest or a hot and dry interior.

Alaska is a vast area, not all of which is connected by a road system. What does this mean? Some areas are only accessible by airplane or boat. Even if a community is on the road system, services may be limited. There is often spotty cell service and limited shopping centers.

For those looking to stretch their comfort zone, an Alaska Corps Team position offers a unique opportunity for connection to the natural world and personal growth. Members are expected to bring a strong work ethic, flexibility, a sense of adventure, and a desire to contribute to a small team.

Member Benefits Corps member compensation amounts:

• $1,100 – round trip travel allowance
• $300/week living allowance
• Lodging through the duration of the program
• Food provided during service hitches
• AmeriCorps award 300 or 450 hours upon successful completion of the program.
• Trainings provided: Wilderness First Aid, Leave No Trace outdoor living skills, SCA Leadership Development Training
• Group gear provided

Member Qualifications (Essential Functions)

• Interest and investment in leadership development and teamwork is required
• Commitment to living and serving within an intensive crew environment, interpersonal skills, and community living experience are pluses.
• Commitment to service in environmental conditions that will include: cold/heat, smoke, bugs, high winds, and precipitation.
• Must be willing to learn how to use hand tools and power tools to accomplish service activities.
• Must be eligible to serve as an AmeriCorps Member:
• Be a citizen, permanent resident, or national of the United States;
• Be at least 18 years or older;
• Have a high school diploma or equivalent or actively working to obtain one;
• Be willing to undergo National Service Criminal History Check, including criminal background, sex offender and FBI checks;
• Ability to lift 50 lbs, and walk/hike on uneven terrain, uphill or downhill, for 5 miles, physical work for 8-10 hours per day
• Ability to pass SCA’s background check.

View Packing List (PDF)

Contact

Jason Croft, Alaska Program Manager
Phone: (907) 771-8410
Email: jcroft@thesca.org