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Field Leaders: Current Openings

SCA Field Leaders at work, leading, motivating and inspiring young people in environmental work

< SCA Conservation Service During the Covid-19 Pandemic >

Field Leader positions are open to those 21 and older who have strong field experience and a desire to lead, motivate, inspire and guide. Below are some of the field positions that will become available over the next few months. Please view the Field Leader Position Types linked to the right of this page for an explanation of our various leader opportunities. To Apply: Click Login or Sign Up. Create a profile, complete the basic application, and then select the Leader Application when prompted. Please be sure to upload your cover letter, resume & 3 references. Once your application is complete, please email [email protected] with the position of interest listed in the subject line so we may review your application.

Apprentice Crew Leader positions are open to candidates who are under 21 (and at least 1 year out of high school) and are interested in learning leadership and field management skills in order to prepare for an SCA Field Leader position in the future. See below for Apprentice Crew Leader positions that will be available in the coming summer season, or visit the Field Leader Position Types page for more details. Details on how to apply are included in the information for specific positions.

2021 USFS Roving Trail Team I Project Leader

Program Dates: Mar 1 – July 24, 2021 (crew members on site March 15 – July 17, 2021). Leader will start season with week of virtual leader training and time on-site before members.

Primary Responsibilities:

Act as a crew leader for three young adults (18+) to inspire and teach crew members, promote healthy group dynamics, and facilitate effective and productive teamwork;
Function as a technical advisor, assisting in training corps members to complete quality work with guidance and direction from the US Forest Service supervisor;
Serve as a partnership representative managing relationships with the agency partner and ensuring successful and timely completion of work projects;
Perform tasks as a program administrator by communicating with SCA staff, completing documentation and managing a budget; and
Work variable hours, at remote locations, on diﬃcult and hazardous terrain, in varying weather conditions, and under physically demanding circumstances.
Use technical equipment including a chainsaw, backpack sprayer and other hand tools.

2021 Maryland CJC Crew Leader

Program Dates: 6/23/21 – 8/10/21

Training Dates: 6/7/21 – 6/18/21 (mandatory paid training)

Primary Responsibilities:

As Crew Leader, you will be working to guide and inspire a team of three young adults from the state of Maryland. The crew will be working on projects such as invasive species removal, habitat restoration, and boardwalk and trail work in various state parks in Maryland. Project monitoring and data collection will also be required throughout the season. SCA is hiring for a total of 12 Crew Leader positions for this program, each leader will be based out of a specific State Park for the duration of the summer. State Parks for the 2021 field season will include:

Assateague State Park (Berlin, MD)
Patapsco Valley State Park (Catonsville, MD & Marriottsville, MD)
Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary (Upper Marlboro, MD)
Susquehanna State Park (Havre de Grace, MD)
Gunpowder Falls State Park (Chase, MD)
Seneca Creek State Park (Gaithersburg, MD)

Prescribed Fire Corps Crew Leader

Program Dates: ASAP – May 2021 (backfill position)

Training Dates: Dates to be determined and based on experience
Location: Davy Crockett National Forest (Kennard, TX) - US Forest Service

Primary Responsibilities:

Act as a crew leader for four young adults (18+) to inspire and teach crew members, promote healthy group dynamics, and facilitate effective and productive teamwork;
Function as a technical advisor, assisting in training corps members to complete quality work with guidance and direction from the US Forest Service supervisor;
Serve as a partnership representative managing relationships with the agency partner and ensuring successful and timely completion of work projects;
Perform tasks as a program administrator by communicating with SCA staff, completing documentation and managing a budget; and
Work variable hours (long days and/or weekend), at remote locations, on diﬃcult and hazardous terrain, in varying weather conditions, and under physically demanding circumstances.

Prince William Forest Crew Leader

Program Dates: June 14- September 17, 2021

Training Dates: June 7- 11, 2021 (mandatory paid training, training will take place virtually)

Work Schedule: Monday- Friday, 7:30am- 3:30pm. Up to five hours per week of administrative work outside of normal work hours.

Primary Responsibilities:

As Crew Leader, you will be working with and supporting a team of three young adult members (18 year of age or older). The crew’s focus will be on campsite restoration and maintaining of culverts throughout the park. The campsite restoration will include removal of existing picnic tables, barbeque grills and cement pads, followed by building and installing new tables and grills. The crew will also be responsible for clearing and maintaining all 92 culverts throughout the park. The crew will work to ensure that the culverts are cleared of debris and sediment buildup. Project monitoring and data collection will be required throughout the season. Leader will also be responsible for completing a final report of work accomplishments.

2021 WESTERN CONSERVATION CORPS PROJECT LEADER

Program Season: April – October
Virtual Project Leader Training: 4/19/2021 to 4/23/2021
Members Arrive on site: 5/24/2021(projects range from 12 -24 weeks in length)
Members Depart and Program Wrap Up: Dates will vary depending on project location

The Student Conservation Association seeks applicants to mentor and inspire young adults for conservation Corps Teams across the US. Project leaders supervise a crew of 3-5 members aged 18 to 30. Corps Teams work with multiple state and federal partners in both front and back country settings. Work projects are a mix of trail construction and maintenance, invasive species removal, and fuels reduction for wildfire management. Project leaders coordinate with agency partners to plan and implement projects, and with SCA staff to manage crew safety, performance, and logistics in the field. Typically, work hitches involve living and working with the crew for the duration of the season.

BIGHORN VFC LEADER

Program Dates: 5/10/2021 – 8/22/2021

Primary Responsibilities:

The Bighorn National Forest Veteran Fire Corps Project Leader will work with four crew members for 14 weeks. At the start of the program, the Veteran Fire Corps team will receive extensive training. Training will include SCA orientation, Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness Medicine Essentials, CPR, S130 Basic Wildland Firefighting (Red Card), and S212 Chainsaw training

Specifically, the Crew Leader will:

Act as a Crew Supervisor, by facilitating teamwork, managing field-based tasks, and guiding crew dynamics

Serve as an Advisor, by training members in technical conservation work skills, mentoring personal and professional development, and teaching environmental stewardship
Act as a Project Manager, by communicating with agency park partners, ensuring successful and timely completion of work projects, and upholding a positive representation of SCA
Perform tasks as a Program Administrator, by organizing logistics, completing documentation, managing a budget, and communicating with SCA staff

USFS Gulf Roving Hurricane Recovery Team Project Leader

The Gulf Roving Hurricane Recovery Team will work with the Student Conservation Association and the U.S. Forest Service in the National Forests in the Gulf states (TX, LA, MS, AL, FL). This highly mobile team, comprised of three members and one leader, will serve for 18 weeks. Crew members will receive two weeks of training before starting work, which includes SCA member training, wilderness medicine training, and chainsaw/trail work skills training.

Hosting Units:

Davy Crockett NF, TX (2 weeks),
Desoto NF, MS (2 weeks),
Calcasieu NF, LA (6 weeks),LA, Catahoula NF (1 week),
Conecuh NF, AL (4 weeks),
Osceola NF, FL (2 weeks)

2021 Pittsburgh Community Crew Leader

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience mentoring youth in the Pittsburgh region
Ability to perform manual, physical labor for up to 8 hours per day, exposed to the elements and most occasionally lift and/or move 40 pounds or more

Interest in teaching environmental education and environmental justice topics
Willingness to work in a co-leader and team centric environment
Infectious love of the outdoors

REQUIREMENTS

Ability to meet SCA’s criminal and background check standards
21 years of age or older
Current First Aid/CPR certification required by June 1st
Ability to attend virtual leader training June 6 - 12, and an in-person trail work skills training in the Pittsburgh June 14 - 18, 2021
Availability for the entire program length: June 6th – August 13th, 2021

2021 ECC Stewardship Crew Leader

Program Dates: 5/17/2021- 12/10/2021

Training Dates: 4/19/2021- 5/15/2021 (mandatory paid training)

Roles and Responsibilities:

Crew Manager Functions

Lead and manage a crew of 6- 18-26 year olds
Lead and manage work outcomes and crew dynamics
Facilitate team operations including; food planning, tools & equipment, and vehicles
Actively manage project/member risk to maintain a safe work environment

2021 Alaska Corps Project Leader

Position Dates: April – September/October, 20-24 weeks (positon durations vary; exact dates TBD)

The Student Conservation Association seeks applicants to mentor and inspire young adults for conservation Corps Teams in Alaska. Project leaders supervise a crew of 4-5 members aged 18 to 30. Corps Teams work with multiple state and federal partners throughout Alaska’s front and back country. Work projects are a mix of trail construction and maintenance, invasive species removal, and fuels reduction for wildfire management. Project leaders coordinate with agency partners to plan and implement projects, and with SCA staff to manage crew safety, performance, and logistics in the field. Typically, work hitches involve living and working with the crew for the duration of the season.

Compensation: $725 per week, paid training, and travel reimbursement to/from Alaska up to $1300

Applications and interviews are on a rolling basis until filled, effective immediately.

Leaders team 2021

Program Dates: Program dates vary. Programs take place February – March.

Locations (note: dates subject to change):

Allegheny National Forest, PA - project work TBD. Team will be camping at front country site. 4/1/2021 - 5/31/2021

Leader Position Compensation and Benefits: $600 per week (paid bi-weekly); $200 uniform stipend; field-based meals; $650 roundtrip travel stipend.

2021 Atlanta UPS summer Crew Leader

Program Dates: June 7^th – July 30^th 2021

Training Dates: Virtual Leader Training May 24^th- 28^th 2021; In-Person Local Training: June 1^st-4^th 2021 (mandatory paid training)

Primary Responsibilities:

As Crew Leader, you will be working with a co-lead to guide and inspire a team of ten high school aged youth (14 –19) from the metro Atlanta, GA area. This is an aﬃnity crew for self-identified African American youth. The crew will be working on projects such as invasive species removal, habitat restoration, litter abatement, and trail work in various sites throughout local National Park Service sites (including, but not limited to, Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, MLK National Historic Park, and Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area). Leaders will be responsible for incorporating environmental education curriculum. Project monitoring and data collection will also be required throughout the season.

2021 Atlanta TNC Summer Crew Leader

Program Dates: June 7^th – July 16^th 2021

Training Dates: Virtual Leader Training May 24^th- 28^th 2021; In-Person Local Training: June 1^st-4^th 2021 (mandatory paid training)

Primary Responsibilities:

As Crew Leader, you will be working to guide and inspire a team of six high school aged youth (14 –19) from the metro Atlanta, GA area. The crew will be working on projects such as habitat restoration, litter abatement, and trail work with The Nature Conservancy focusing on sites in the South River Watershed. Leader will be responsible for incorporating environmental education curriculum. Project monitoring and data collection will also be required throughout the season.

2021 NEW YORK FIELD LEADER

Program Dates: _July 5^th-August 18th

Training Dates:  June 21-July2 (mandatory paid training)

Specifically, the Crew Leader will:

Act as a Crew Supervisor, by facilitating teamwork, managing field-based tasks, and guiding crew dynamics

Serve as an Advisor, by training members in technical conservation work skills, mentoring personal and professional development, and teaching environmental stewardship
Act as a Project Manager, by communicating with agency park partners, ensuring successful and timely completion of work projects, and upholding a positive representation of SCA
Perform tasks as a Program Administrator, by organizing logistics, completing documentation, managing a budget, and communicating with SCA staff

DC Area Crew Leader Summer 2021

The Student Conservation Association (SCA), America’s #1 conservation service organization seeks qualified applicants to lead, educate, and inspire Washington DC area young adult members (18+) for the 2021 DC area summer programs.

Program Dates: June 14- August 20, 2021

Training Dates: June 7- 11, 2021 (mandatory paid training)