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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 California Trail Corps Project Leader

Position Dates:
Program Season: April – October
Virtual Project Leader Training: 4/19/2021 to 4/23/2021
Project Leader Planning and Field Training: 5/9/2021 to 5/22/2021
Members Arrive on site: 5/24/2021(projects range from 9 -18 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.

CACH CREW LEADER

Program Dates:

Virtual Leader Training: 6/6/2021 – 6/11/2021

Leaders Prep Week: 7/5/2021 – 7/19/2021

Crew Dates: 7/19/2021 – 8/15/2021

Leader Wrap Up: 8/16/2021 – 8/21/2021

Compensation and Benefits: $600 per week (paid bi-weekly); paid training; field-based meals; up to $1,000 roundtrip travel stipend.

Program Description:

The CACH crew’s primary duties will be working in Canyon de Chelly National Monument assisting NPS park staff and trail crew. Projects may include trail maintenance and restoration, maintenance projects around the park, culturally and historically significant projects, and interpretive opportunities. Aside from the work project, the crew will have the opportunity to engage with local community members and park staff with scientific and cultural knowledge. The crew will interact with local musicians, storytellers and artists who will demonstrate their talents and teach the crew about their culture and history.

2021 EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK LEADER POSITION

Program Dates: 5/10/2021-02/06/2022

Training Dates: 4/19 till 4/24 (mandatory paid training)

Primary Responsibilities:

As Crew Leader, you will be working to guide and inspire a team of four young adults from the Bay area. The SCA trail crew will work with the East Bay Regional Park District staff on a variety of trail projects throughout the Park District. Projects may vary widely in location and scope. They may include, but not limited to: Trail maintenance (tread and drainage), Social trail restoration, Installation of erosion structures, clearing of trail corridor, reset slope for water run-off, and more.

2021 Blue Ridge Parkway Trail Team

Position Dates: 
Virtual Project Leader Training: 6/7/2021 to 6/11/2021 
Leader season start on site: 6/14/2021 

Member season start: 6/21/2021 
Leader end date: 10/17/2021

The Student Conservation Association (SCA), America’s #1 conservation service organization seeks qualified applicants to lead, educate, and inspire with the 2021 Blue Ridge Parkway Trail Team Leader.

Primary Responsibilities:

The 2021 Blue Ridge Parkway Trail Team Leader will coordinate and supervise three team members for 16 weeks along the Virginia section of this scenic National Parkway. The leader will get additional time for leadership training, and to prepare for the team’s on-site arrival and departure. The team will stay at front country campsites and receive trail skills training.

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)

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 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 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.

2021 GulfCorps Conservation Crew Leader

As GulfCorps Conservation Crew Leader, you will work with a co-leader to guide and inspire a team of eight young adults from the Mobile, AL area. With funding from the RESTORE Act, following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, this crew works to improve inland habitats along the Alabama coast. The crew will be working on projects such as invasive species removal, habitat restoration, boardwalk repair, and trail work in various sites along coastal Alabama. Project monitoring and data collection will also be required throughout the season. Strong work skills (carpentry, chainsaw, herbicide application), strong monitoring skills (data collection, GPS, GIS), and experience leading teams are requirements for this position. For more about the GulfCorps program, visit https://www.thesca.org/serve/program/gulfcorps-conservation-crew.

Program Dates: Sept 2021 – April 2022 (exact dates, TBD)

Training Dates: Sept 2021 (exact dates, TBD)

2021 VIRGIN ISLAND YCC GROUP LEADER

Position Dates: 
Virtual Project Leader Training: 6/21/2021 to 6/25/2021 
Leader season start on site: 6/30/2021 

Member season start: 7/6/2021 
Leader end date: 8/18/2021

The Student Conservation Association (SCA), America’s #1 conservation service organization seeks qualified applicants to lead, educate, and inspire with the 2021 Virgin Island Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) Leader.

Primary Responsibilities:

The 2021 Virgin Island YCC Leader will coordinate and supervise six youth crew member (ages 15-18) for 7 weeks in Virgin Island National Park. The leader will get additional time for leadership training, and to prepare for the team’s on-site arrival and departure.

2021 Houston Summer Crew Leader

The SCA and the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Katy Prarie Conservancy, and Harris County Flood Control are looking for a detail-oriented, highly motivated, and independent conservation team to join the 2020 Gulf-Houston Roving Restoration Conservation Corps.

Program Dates: June 14^th- August 13th

Training Dates:  June 7^th- June 11^th (mandatory paid training)

Primary Responsibilities:

Co-lead, supervise, transport, and mentor a team of 10 high school youth, ages 14-19 for six weeks (Mon-Fri). Complete an assortment of hands-on conservation and restoration projects within different areas on various project locations, and plan and lead weekly educational field days. Administrative and reporting duties are required as they relate to data management, photo documentation, and youth assessments. Crew Leaders will also be expected to facilitate a provided environmental education curriculum.

2021 Houston virtual summer crew leader

Program Dates: July 5 – August 6, 2021

Training Dates: June 21- June 25 (mandatory paid training, training will take place virtually)

Primary Responsibilities:

As Crew Leader, you will be working with a co-lead to guide and inspire two teams of high school students through SCA’s virtual crew program. This will be SCA’s second year running a virtual program given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This program gives high school students a unique opportunity to develop their interest in the environmental world, meet new people, learn about potential career paths, and create their own advocacy project. This 5 week program follows a curriculum which focuses on a theme for each week. These themes are; teambuilding, environmental literacy, environmental justice, career exploration, and advocacy & action. Leaders will facilitate lessons and provide support to members as they progress through the program. Outside of direct program implementation leaders will be responsible for planning weekly sessions. Leaders will meet with each team, through Zoom, twice a week for a roughly three hour session per day. There is no in-person component to the program. All programming will take place virtually.

2021 USFS Roving Trail Team II Leader

Position Dates: 
Virtual Project Leader Training: 6/7/2021 to 6/11/2021 
Leader season start on site: 6/14/2021 

Member season start: 6/21/2021 
Leader end date: 11/24/2021

The Student Conservation Association (SCA), America’s #1 conservation service organization seeks qualified applicants to lead, educate, and inspire with the 2021 USFS Roving Trail Team.

Primary Responsibilities:

The 2021 USFS Roving Trail Team Leader will work with three crew members for 20 weeks in the National Forests of the Southern Appalachians. The leader will get additional time for leadership training, and to prepare for the team’s on-site arrival and departure. Training for all members include SCA orientation, Wilderness Medicine, and Trail Maintenace and Skills Training.

  Following training, the USFS Roving Trail Team will work with partners at the US Forest Service on trail building and maintenance projects that will include tread work, corridor clearing, trail construction, and building structures. The team will travel to multiple Southern Region National Forests and stay in developed campgrounds with electricity and access to showers. Past National Forests included: George Washington & Jefferson National Forest, Cherokee National Forest, North Carolina National Forests, and Chattahoochee National Forest. A typical schedule consists of five consecutive 8-hour days with two days off.

2021 USFS Roving Resource Crew Leader

Position Dates: 
Virtual Project Leader Training: 6/7/2021 to 6/11/2021 
Leader season start on site: 6/13/2021 

Member season start: 6/21/2021 
Leader end date: 9/25/2021

The Student Conservation Association (SCA), America’s #1 conservation service organization seeks qualified applicants to lead, educate, and inspire with the 2021 USFS Roving Resource Crew.

Primary Responsibilities:

The 2021 USFS Roving Resource Crew Leader will work with three crew members for 12 weeks in Eastern Region National Forests across multiple states. The leader will get additional time for leadership training, and to prepare for the team’s on-site arrival and departure. Training for all members include SCA orientation, Forest Service training on conducting Recreation Site Condition Surveys (both paper and tablet forms), and various recreation site and trail update task trainings.

 

2021 Black Hills National Forest Corp

Position Dates: 
Virtual Project Leader Training: 6/7/2021 to 6/11/2021 
Leader season start on site: 6/7/2021 

Member season start: 6/21/2021 
Leader end date: 9/19/2021

The Student Conservation Association (SCA), America’s #1 conservation service organization seeks qualified applicants to lead, educate, and inspire with the 2021 Black Hills National Forest Corps Team.

Primary Responsibilities:

The 2021 Black Hills National Forest Corps Team Leader will work with three crew members for 12 weeks. The leader will get additional time for leadership training, and to prepare for the team’s on-site arrival and departure. Training for all members include SCA orientation, Wilderness Medicine Essentials, and Trail Work Skills Training. Trail work will focus on hand tool use. Teams will stay in developed and wilderness US Forest Service campsites.

 

NATIONAL CREW LEADERS

Training Dates:  6/6/2021 – 6/11/2021

Program Dates: Program dates vary. Programs can take place early July – late August.

Compensation and Benefits: $600 per week (paid bi-weekly); paid training; field-based meals; up to $1,000 roundtrip travel stipend.

Primary Responsibilities:

Supervise a crew in the field. Facilitate teamwork, manage field-based tasks and schedules, ensure safe practices, and guide crew dynamics. These responsibilities are 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for the length of the program.
Foster growth and inspire a group of high school students. Train Crew Members in safe tool use, organize and lead educational trips and lessons, and mentor them to grow personally and as environmental stewards.
Manage a restoration project. Complete a project with your team in the field, plan out team logistics, and work with partners on site.
Carry out administrative tasks. Manage a crew budget, complete program reports and paperwork, communicate with SCA staff, and follow all SCA policies and procedures.

Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Park – Crew Leader

rogram Dates: June 14 – December 24, 2021

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

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 6:00am - 3:30pm (A Week), Monday - Thursday 6:00am - 3:30pm, Friday off (B Week). Up to five hours per week of administrative work outside of normal work hours.

Program Location: C&O Canal National Park. This position will be based out of Potomac, Maryland (11710 MacArthur Boulevard Potomac, Maryland).

Primary Responsibilities:

As Crew Leader, you will be working with and supporting two SCA interns. This SCA team will support the CHOH maintenance staff with routine daily maintenance activities at the Potomac Maryland shop. Primarily, this project requires the team to remove vegetation from historic stone culverts, locks, ﬂumes, abutments, walls and any other historic stone structure within the park boundaries that the NPS deems the need for vegetation removal. In addition, this crew will assist the NPS staff with the removal of fallen trees in the park and along the tow path. Crew Leader may receive chainsaw certification- dependent upon capacity of NPS staff to host training. Project monitoring and data collection will also be required throughout the season.

2021 CHICAGO CONSERVATION CORPS CREW LEADERS

Program Dates:  Tuesday July 6^th-August 13^th

Training Dates: Virtual Training dates June 21^st-June 25^th followed by a Local Hands-on Training from June 28^th-July 2^nd, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center (mandatory paid training)

Primary Responsibilities:

Co-lead, supervise, transport, and mentor a team of 6 high school youth, ages 14-19 for six weeks (Mon-Fri, 35 hours/week). Complete an assortment of hands-on conservation and restoration projects within different areas in the Forest Preserves of Cook County and plan and lead weekly educational field days. Administrative and reporting duties are required as they relate to data management, photo documentation, and youth assessments. Crew leaders will also be expected to facilitate a provided environmental education curriculum.

2021 ALL WOMEN'S CREW LEADER POSITION

Program Dates: May 3rd-October 8^th

Training Dates: (40 hrs/week): SCA Virtual Project Leader Training April 19th-23rd, followed by local in person Chicago training April 26th-30^th

Primary Responsibilities : Supervise a crew of 6 young-adult women, ages 18+, in the completion of various conservation projects within the Chicago Park District natural areas (mainly Hegewisch Marsh, Indian Ridge Marsh, Steelworkers Park, Big Marsh Park). The Crew Leader will manage the crew in activities using hand and power tools to complete projects such as: trail/park maintenance; habitat restoration; invasive species removal; herbicide application; and leading stewardship days. Leader will be responsible for managing the group in environmental education workshops, certificate trainings and outdoor recreation. Leader will also be responsible for capturing project outcomes through photo documentation, data collection, reporting, and evaluations. Crew leader will have additional support from an Assistant Crew Leader on the team. As long as COVID-19 is a threat, Crew Leaders (and members) are expected to do what is necessary to keep their team safe, this includes bring mindful of current regulations, regular cleaning and disinfection of tools/equipment, regular health check-ins with staff, wearing a mask, and enforcing/following policy and procedures outlined in SCA’s COVID management plan.

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.

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