The Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps (PAOC) offers work experience, job training and environmental education opportunities to young people who complete recreation and conservation projects on Pennsylvania’s public lands.
In addition to hands-on job skills, the program provides learning opportunities weekly in resource management, environmental issues and topics, and recreation skills.
Corps members also will be provided with workforce development training and materials during their period of employment.
Learn New Skills
Participants have the opportunity to gain numerous career-focused skills as well as participate in professional development opportunities and trainings. Typical skills gained may include:
9 Month Young Adult Vocational Training Program
- Basic Carpentry and Construction Techniques
- Hand Tools Competency
- Trail Construction and Maintenance
- Habitat Management Techniques
- Basic Electrical Skills
- Game of Logging Chainsaw Certification
- Wilderness First Aid
- Masonry
- Roofing
- Wild land Firefighting
- Environmental Education Opportunities
- Leadership and Communication
- Job Shadowing with Industry Professionals
- Resume Review and Career Coaching
- Goal setting
**Not all participants will be able to gain every skill listed, every crew will differ slightly based on projects and available training opportunities. Some certifications/skills may require time outside of work to complete
Start Your Career NOW
Upon completion of the program, members will have the necessary skills to pursue a variety of careers in the green sector and beyond. Below are just some examples of careers our members have moved in to:
|
Work at the DCNR |
Private Sector |
Government Agencies |
|
– Laborer – Semi-Skilled Laborer – Clerk Typist – Ranger Trainee – Environmental Education Specialist – Resource Ranger 1 |
– Arborist – Outdoor Educator – Construction and Trade Positions – Grounds Keeper – Forester – Trail Crews – Other Conservation Corps |
– US Forest Service – Fish and Boat Commission – Dept of Ag. – Game Commission – DEP |
*Some positions require prerequisites or college credits to be eligible
2023 Position Details
Program Dates: March 20 – December 5, 2023
*Member Training will take place from March 20 – March 29
Crew Locations: Altoona, Dubois, Meadville, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Wilkes-Barre, Williamsport
*The Philadelphia crew will be a Roving Trail Crew
*Harrisburg will host a local crew as well as a Roving Resource Management Crew
Weekly Schedule:
Mon – Wed 7 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Thursday 7 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Roving Crew Schedule:
8 days on with 6 days off (Monday-Monday)
Compensation:
$15.00/hr + benefits package
Interested candidates can follow this link to EXPRESS INTEREST or email Stephen Luteran [email protected] with your name and program city of interest.
Applications accepted on a rolling basis. 2023 Crew positions decision will not be made until after Jan 1. Additional positions may become available at any time during the field season. We do our best to backfill any positions that become available. Open positions are generally filled until the end of August.
Who Should Apply to be a crew member?
The PAOC is open to applicants between 18-25. From those looking for an alternative to traditional schooling to recent grads looking to gain field experience. Our members come from a wide range of backgrounds and situations. We look for those who are eager to learn and work on a team in the outdoors regardless of previous experience.
SCA recognizes that as an industry, there is much to do to increase representation in the field to reflect the communities we aim to serve. We also know that diversity of identities, experiences and ways of thinking result in better solutions for the communities we serve. For this reason, SCA especially encourages applicants from communities who experience systemic barriers—including people of color, women, LGBTQIA+ and people with disabilities—to apply for these positions.
2023 Project Leaders Needed!
Project Leaders train, supervise and administer PAOC crews as they work on a variety of outdoor conservation projects. Projects include: Trail Building and maintenance, habitat restoration, invasive species removal, facility maintenance, construction and carpentry. Leaders coordinate with agency partners to plan and implement projects. Project Leaders manage safety, crew performance, and logistics in the field.
Project Leader Position Information
Dates: Feb. 27 – Dec. 8, 2023
Project Leader Training: Feb. 27 – March 10, 2023
Typical Hours: Monday-Thursday 7 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. *work may take place outside of these hours.
Compensation: $800 per week + Benefits Package
Qualifications:
- Experience working with youth or young adults ages 18-30, 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
- Current Wilderness First Aid and CPR certification required by the start of 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
To Apply:
Please complete a Crew Leader Application via the MySCA website. Those with an existing crew leader application, please update your dates of availability and any other relevant information. Interested candidates are also asked to submit a resume and brief interest statement to Stephen Luteran at [email protected].
2023 Summer Youth Program
Now Accepting Applications – Youth Crew Leaders
Step into a leadership position and grow your conservation knowledge with the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps! For the 2023 summer season, the PA Outdoor Corps is looking for qualified applicants to lead, educate, and inspire youth while completing conservation projects in State Parks, Forests, and other outdoor spaces across Pennsylvania. Crew Leaders train, supervise, and guide crews of 6 high school students, ages 15 to 18, on a variety of outdoor work projects, including trail construction, habitat restoration, and park maintenance, among others. Leaders should have experience working with youth or experience in outdoor occupations. Two leaders are assigned to each crew.
Position Information
Youth Leader Season: Monday, June 12 – Tuesday, August 15, 2023
Training Dates: Mon, June 12 – Wed, June 21, 2023 (Must be able to attend the full training)
Program Dates: July 5 to August 15, 2023
Hours: Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Compensation: $750 per week, paid training, and career networking opportunities
Locations: Altoona, Allentown, Bradford, Erie, Greensburg, Harrisburg, Hazelton, Pittsburgh, American Sign Language Inclusion (state-side recruitment), Ridgeway, Reading, Renovo, Chambersburg, Norristown, Wilkes-Barre, Williamsport, Wellsboro, York
Qualifications:
– Must be a minimum of 21 years of age
-1-2 years prior experience in working with youth and/or in outdoor settings
– Current First Aid and CPR certification required by the start of training.
– Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
– Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills
– Ability to perform manual, physical labor for up to 8 hours per day in outdoor settings, and occasionally lift and/or move 40 pounds or more
– Must be able to attend Crew Leader training from June 12 – 21, 2023
– Must have ability to legally work in the U.S.
– Must have a valid driver’s license for 3+ years and MVR that meets SCA standards
– Must complete and submit required clearances for working with minors in PA prior to position start;
- Federal Criminal History Record
- Act 34 – PA State Criminal Record Check (PATCH)
- Act 33 – PA Child Abuse History Clearance
To Apply: Interested candidates can follow this link to EXPRESS INTEREST and email your resume to Youth Program Manager Vickery Lauro at [email protected]
Youth Members – Open Enrollment
Position Information
Program Dates: July 5 to August 11, 2023
Hours: Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Compensation: $15.00/hr
Qualifications:
– Must be between the ages of 15-18 years old by the start of the program
– Must be available to participate in the full six weeks of the program (3 unexcused absences are permitted)
– Willingness to work on a small team of peers
– Curiosity about the natural world
– Desire to learn new skills and participate in weekly educational sessions
– Must have ability to legally work in the U.S.
– Must have transportation to and from centralized crew meeting location (typically a public building, park, or common space that is determined and communicated by crew leader prior to the season start. Locations will be accessible via public transportation if applicable in your city).
To Apply: Interested candidates can follow this link to EXPRESS INTEREST. Once complete you will receive further instruction by email to complete the application process and will be officially placed on our candidate list.
* Member selections will not be made until after the close of open enrollment on April 15, 2023.
Contact Us
- Ted Miller – Senior Program Manager – [email protected]
- Stephen Luteran – Young Adult Program Manager – [email protected]
- Vickery Lauro – Youth Program Manager – [email protected]
- For general inquiries please email [email protected]
