SCA San Francisco Bay Area

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 a summer working with the SCA, program participants emerge with increased environmental awareness, social responsibility and leadership skills.

Through its Urban Green Program, the SCA provides young people with paid green jobs, including single-day service projects, seasonal work and year-long internships or fellowships. In the San Francisco Bay Area, the SCA has been fielding community conservation programs since 1977. Since then, hundreds of youth in the Bay Area region have participated in SCA programs. Thanks to generous support from local parks, environmental organizations, schools, youth development organizations and numerous community groups, the SCA continues to provide conservation opportunities to Bay Area young people each year.

The SCA fielded its first community conservation program in the Bay Area in 1977. Since that first year, hundreds of youth in the Bay Area region have participated in SCA programs. Thanks to various park partners, environmental organizations, schools, youth development organizations and numerous community-based organizations, the SCA continues to provide conservation opportunities to Bay Area youth each year.

The SCA Bay Area Community Program provides year-round opportunities divided into two seasons:

• High School Summer Programs
  • Paid opportunities late June-early August including local or semi-local camping trips
• High School School-Year programs
  • Paid opportunities September-May after-school and weekends
• Young Adult Programs
  • Paid opportunities to lead high school programs during summer and school year
  • Crew positions in various area parks
• Internships
  • Available in various timeframes, typically for college and post-college age students

Members serve at sites in the greater Bay Area, including Vallejo, Oakland, Hayward, San Francisco and the Peninsula. Participants work to build climate resilience and increase access to outdoor recreation for all Bay Area residents by building trails, planting and caring for trees, restoring habitat, conducting research, and supporting community-level outreach and education initiatives.

Current Opportunities

Vallejo Climate Resiliency High School Crew
This position will work as part of a team to implement projects and engage the community, assessing their needs and their knowledge of climate resiliency. Projects include tree canopy and flooding infrastructure, fuels reduction and habitat restoration. Minimum requirements: Local resident in the Greater East Bay, ages 15-19. Expected dates: Oct. 3, 2023 – April 30, 2024. Pay: $16/hr. When applying for the high school youth crew member position, please reference PO-00735147 on the application. Learn more about applying to the SCA’s youth programs here.

Benefits

The SCA offers paid positions at all levels of programming, in addition to education and training that includes:

• Experience working on a diverse team of peers and with near peer leaders – make lifelong friends!
• Gain knowledge of conservation issues – climate resiliency, environmental justice, urban forestry and habitat restoration
• Exposure to green career opportunities – learn directly from professionals in the field
• Earn from $400-$650/week
• Develop valuable professional skills through teambuilding and leadership activities.
• Explore local parks and recreation opportunities like kayaking!
• Serve and give back to your community, parks, and natural areas

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must be at least 14 years of age or in high school for teen school year and summer programs. For young adult programs, applicants must be at least 18 years of age.  Other requirements vary by position. In order to participate in paid programs, applicants must be authorized to work in the US.

If accepted into the program you MUST be available for the ENTIRE program.  This includes Friday education/recreation days.

Stipends will be reduced if absent. Multiple absences will result in removal from program and loss of stipend.

Trainings Offered

• CPR Certification
• Leave No Trace (LNT) Outdoor Ethics
• Financial Literacy
• Habitat Restoration
• Trail Skills
• Urban Forestry
• Urban Agriculture
• Climate Resilience
• Environmental Justice

Key Partners

• San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department
• Greater Vallejo Recreation District / City of Vallejo
• Cal Maritime Academy
• Yosemite National Park
• Brannan Island State Recreation Area
• East Bay Parks and Recreation Department

Highlights

• Crews work with National, State and local partners in the same season.
• Summer crews go camping in a National Forest – gear and meals provided.
• Environmental Education days every Friday!
• Pipeline to National Crew acceptance

Contact