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 across the country. After working with the SCA, our members emerge with increased environmental awareness, social responsibility and leadership skills.
In California, the ecological needs are distinctive. SCA crew members make vital improvements daily to iconic parks like Yosemite National Park, Mojave National Preserve, Joshua Tree National Park and at a host of other locations. We prepare young adults for careers in environmental conservation, including wildland firefighting, trail building, invasive species removal, wildlife research and more in California’s national parks, forests and urban areas.
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.
Current Opportunities
Fall 2023 Western Trail Corps Members
The SCA is seeking crew members for its Western Trail Corps program at sites across northern California. Participants gain valuable job readiness skills and experience through hands-on conservation projects. During the program, crew members will work on four to six person teams to build new hiking trails and repair existing trails at some of the most scenic National Forests in the United States. The crew will camp and live in remote areas (backcountry) along trails that run near breathtaking mountain passes, alpine lakes, beneath sequoias and redwoods or across desert flats studded with saguaro cacti. The program is intensive and crew members should expect to live without electricity, running water and cell phone reception. This is an entry-level position with no previous experience required.
Expected dates: Oct. 2, 2023 – Dec. 23, 2023. Pay: $300/week.
Fall 2023 Western Wildland Hazardous Fuels Reduction Team Project Leader (California)
The SCA is seeking Project Leaders (age 21+) to supervise and train our Hazardous Fuels Reduction Team alongside the U.S. Forest Service across California. The team consists of crew members (age 18+) who are responsible for prescribed burning, fuels reduction or forest thinning projects. Project Leaders coordinate with agency partners (ex. U.S. Forest Service to plan and implement projects and with SCA staff to manage crew safety, performance, and logistics in the field. Project Leaders live and work with their crew for the duration of the season at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, in varying weather conditions and under physically demanding circumstances. This is not a firefighting position, and crew members are not expected to take part in fire suppression activities. Field life is rugged, and members should expect to live without electricity, running water and cell phone reception. This is an alcohol and substance-free program.
Expected Dates: Aug. 28 – Nov. 23. Pay: $750-$850/wk.
Fall 2023 Western Wildland Hazardous Fuels Reduction Team Crew Members (California)
The SCA is seeking crew members (age 18+) for its Hazardous Fuels Reduction Team alongside the U.S. Forest Service across California. Crew members will participate in the Forest Service’s Region 5 Fire Corps Fuels Reduction Training program. This intense program is designed to introduce crew members to the rigors of the Fire & Fuels Program at the Forest Service. During the program, crew members will train, live and work with a team to work on fuels mitigation and fuels reduction projects. The team will be assigned to one of several National Forests across California to learn how professional Foresters handle the challenges of wildfire mitigation in varying ecosystems. This is not a firefighting position, and crew members are not expected to take part in fire suppression activities. Field life is rugged, and members should expect to live without electricity, running water and cell phone reception. This is an alcohol and substance-free program.
Expected Dates: Sept. 18 – Nov. 18. Pay: $600/wk.