Maryland Veterans Conservation Corps

The SCA is a national non-profit changing lives through hands-on conservation work in the outdoors. Our program participants protect and restore national parks, marine sanctuaries, cultural landmarks and community green spaces at various locations across the country. After working with the SCA, program participants emerge with increased environmental awareness, social responsibility and leadership skills.

The SCA’s Maryland Veterans Conservation Corps is comprised of post-9/11-era U.S. military veterans who receive essential training, credentials and job readiness experience to competitively pursue any number of conservation careers, including natural resources management, wildland firefighting and forestry careers.

Current Opportunities

2024 Maryland Veterans Conservation Corps Crew Members (Upper Marlboro, Md.)
The SCA is seeking conservation crew members who are U.S. veterans living in the state of Maryland for its Maryland Veterans Conservation Corps Crew. Crew members will work on service projects in the outdoors, including trail construction and maintenance, hazardous tree removal and route clearing primarily at Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary. The crew also assists with various projects at other Maryland State Parks as requested. Expected dates: Jan. 22, 2024 – Jan. 17, 2025. Pay: $760/week living allowance. For more information or to apply, please contact Anthony Peters at [email protected].

Maryland Veterans Conservation Corps digging

PROGRAM DETAILS

A small unit but with a large impact, the Maryland Veterans Conservation Corps Crew consists of one leader and three members, based primarily at Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary in Upper Marlboro, Md. Although project scope varies by season, work typically involves trail construction and maintenance, trail structure construction (i.e. bridges and bulletin boards), hazardous tree removal and route clearing. The crew also assists with various projects at other Maryland State Parks as requested. Additionally, the crew works alongside Maryland Conservation Corps crews on projects which will afford the opportunity to train, lead, and mentor young working professionals within the Maryland Conservation Corps. In some cases, travel and overnight stays out of the area are required.

The program lasts 52 weeks and will provide crew members the job readiness skills needed to enter the conservation and natural resource management workforce. With a close partnership with the Maryland Park Service and the Conservation Corps, all work-skills training is provided through the Maryland Park Service Training Division. Trainings may include comprehensive First Aid/CPR/AED, Emergency Medical Responder, introduction to search and rescue, small craft water safety and interpretive skills. In addition to these trainings, leader and members will learn:

  • Introduction to carpentry techniques and practices
  • A fundamental understanding of natural resource management principles
  • Site restoration and native ecology maintenance techniques
  • Local species identification
  • Chainsaw qualification, including S212 Basic Feller
  • S190 Wildland Firefighting Certification with the opportunity to
    expand and travel out west to fight wildland fires

Three MD Veterans Corps Members sitting together outside

Eligibility Requirements

  • Personal vehicle required for travel to/from daily pickup locations for group transportation to worksites
  • Must be a U.S. veteran located in the Maryland area; no housing is provided

Trainings

  • Responding to Emergencies: Comprehensive First Aid/CPR/AED
  • Wildland Firefighter
  • Chainsaw Use and Care
  • Environmental Education and Interpretation
  • Trail construction and maintenance
  • Basic tool use and safety
  • Basic Carpentry
  • Small Craft Safety

Past Projects

  • Trail building and maintenance
  • Facilities improvement projects and maintenance
  • Educational programs/Interpretation
  • Recreation Management
  • Park Operations
  • Volunteer coordinator and oversight
  • Assistance with special events
  • Mentorship of Conservation Jobs Corps members
  • Forest enhancement and tree planting
  • Stream, bay, and wetland restoration
  • Stream surveys
  • Habitat restoration and invasive species removal
  • Large-scale regional conservation projects in partnership with Maryland Conservation Corps members
Student Conservation Association
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