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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.

Summer 2022 SCA Fire Corps Project Leaders

Position Dates:

Spring Season Dates

Leader Training: 2/7/2022 – 2/19/2022

Leader Planning Period & Member Training Prep: 2/20/2022 – 3/5/2022

Members Training Dates: 3/7/2022 – 3/19/2022

Summer Season Dates

Track 1

Leader Training: 4/18/2022 – 4/30/2022

Leader Planning Period & Member Training Prep: 5/1/2022 – 5/16/2022

Members Training Dates: 5/16/2022 – 5/28/2022

Track 2

Leader Training: 4/18/2022 – 4/30/2022

Leader Planning Period & Member Training Prep: 5/23/2022 – 6/5/2022

Members Training Dates: 6/6/2022 – 6/18/2022

Compensation: $700-800, DOE, per week, paid training, and funds to assist with travel to site

Hiring Timeline: Applications and interviews are on a rolling basis until filled, effective immediately

2022 Conservation Trail Corps Project Leader Positions

Summer Season Dates

Track 1

Leader Training: 4/18/2022 – 4/30/2022

Leader Planning Period & Member Training Prep: 5/1/2022 – 5/16/2022

Members Training Dates: 5/16/2022 – 5/28/2022

Track 2

Leader Training: 4/18/2022 – 4/30/2022

Leader Planning Period & Member Training Prep: 5/23/2022 – 6/5/2022

Members Training Dates: 6/6/2022 – 6/18/2022

Project Duration: Projects range from 9 weeks to 26 weeks in duration. Project Leader placements will be determined based on leader candidates’ experience, skills/certifications, and availability.

Leader Training Location: Multiple Training Locations, depends on position placement

Compensation: Salary range: $700 - $800/week; funds to assist with travel to site; field-based meals; benefits available only for position placements over 6 months long.

2022 Winter/Spring Alumni Team Opportunities

Locations, dates, and projects (note: dates subject to change):

Allegheny National Forest, PA (member dates: 3/14/22 – 5/8/22). The team will camp at front country, developed sites. Projects include installing paver blocks along ATV trails where erosion is prevalent.
Abraham Lincoln Birthplace, KY (member dates: 3/21/22 – 6/3/22). The team will be staying at site housing. Projects include repairing culvers, redefining trails, and repairing trail surfaces.
Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, PA (member dates: 4/4/22 – 4/30/22). The team will camp at front country, developed sites. Projects include replacing deteriorating split rail fencing.
Voyageurs National Park, MN (member dates: 5/1/22 – 6/11/22). The team will camp at front and backcountry sites. Projects include rehabilitating trails, removing blown down, installing boardwalks and signs, and reopening trail corridors.
Pacific Crest Trail (Track 1 Crews: 3/6/22 to 4/16/22, Track 2 Crews: 3/20/22 to 4/30/22). The team will work with the Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA) on trail projects that address a backlog of maintenance issues. These backcountry crews will live and work in remote sections of the trail. Projects may include clearing downed logs, tread and drainage work, rock work, and clearing debris off the trail. Crews should expect to be camping in the front country and backcountry sites. Members should plan to be mobile and expect to travel long distances in remote locations to get to their project sites. Personal vehicles are not recommended for this project.

Leader Position Compensation and Benefits: 

$600 - $700 per week (dependent on experience, paid bi-weekly);
$200 uniform stipend; field-based meals;
$650 roundtrip travel stipend.

Seattle School Year Program Leader

Program Dates: 1/19/22 – 3/26/22

Training Dates:  1/10/22 – 1/14/22 (mandatory paid training)

Compensation: $21/hr (plus paid Crew Leader training) up to 20 hrs/week to include program facilitation and prep/planning time

Qualifications:

Experience working with youth or young adults [ages 14 – 19], 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 most occasionally lift and/or move 40 pounds or more
Current First Aid and CPR certification required by the start of training
Must be able to attend Crew Leader training: 1/10/22 – 1/14/22

Summer 2022 Alaska Corps and Fire Corps Project Leaders

Position Dates: April – September/October, 20-28 weeks (position durations vary; exact dates TBD)

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

Hiring Timeline: Applications and interviews are on a rolling basis until filled, effective immediately

Position Description:

The Student Conservation Association (SCA) seeks applicants to mentor and inspire young adults for Conservation Corps Teams and Fire Corps Teams in Alaska. Project Leaders supervise a crew of 3-4 AmeriCorps members aged 18 to 30. Corps Teams work with multiple state and federal partners throughout Alaska’s front and backcountry. Work projects are a mix of trail construction and maintenance, invasive species removal, and habitat restoration.

Idaho AmeriCorps Program 2022 Project Leaders

Program dates: April 10, 2022 – October 1, 2022

Number of Positions: 4

Application Review: January 2022

Created in 2009, the SCA Idaho AmeriCorps Residential Program is designed to meet the environmental conservation, natural resource protection, community stewardship, and workforce development needs of public land managers in Idaho and the surrounding communities.SCA, America’s #1 conservation service organization seeks qualified applicants to lead, educate, and inspire young adults in conservation service projects across Idaho for the 2022 field season. 3 positions based in North Fork ID (PO#: 00732177), and 1 Roving team Project Leader (PO#: 00732178).

Winter 2022 Western Corps Project Leader Positions

Conservation Begins Here.

The Student Conservation Association (SCA), America’s #1 conservation service organization seeks qualified applicants to lead, educate, and inspire teams for the Western Corps program.

Winter Season Dates:

Leader Training: 12/12/2021 – 12/22/2021

Leader Planning Period & Member Training Prep: 1/3/2022 – 1/16/2022

Members Training Dates: 1/17/2022 – 1/28/2022

Project Duration: Projects range from 9 weeks to 26 weeks in duration. Project Leader placements will be determined based on leader candidates’ experience, skills/certifications, and availability.

Massachusetts Conservation Corps Project Leader

Position: PO-00732495

Location: Western MA

Leader Dates: 3/21/2022 - 10/28/2022

Maryland Conservation Jobs Corps Crew Leader (Eastern Shore)

Location: Assateague and Pocomoke River State Parks

Training Dates: ¬ Early-Mid June 2022 (mandatory paid training, exact dates TBA)

Program Dates: ¬ June 27, 2022 – August 12, 2022 (dates estimated within one week, exact dates TBA)

Compensation: $720/week total salary, paid training

Summer 2022 National Crew Leaders

Training Dates:  June 2022 (dates TBD)

Program Dates: Program dates vary. Programs can take place in 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.

LRGNWR 6 Month Restoration Team

LRGNWR 6 Month Restoration Team

Leader Dates: 2/7/2022- 9/18/2022

Team Dates: 3/7/2022- 9/4/2022

Pay Information:

Leaders: $700 per week salary

Project Description:

The South Texas Refuge Complex Corps Team, made up of one Project Leader and five Crew Members (ages 18+), will work on US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) lands in the southernmost areas of Texas for 26 weeks.

Alaska Regional Youth Crew Leaders

Position Dates: May 16 – July 9, 6-7 weeks (position durations vary; exact dates TBD)

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

Hiring Timeline: Applications and interviews are on a rolling basis until filled, effective immediately

Position Description:

The Student Conservation Association (SCA) seeks applicants to mentor and inspire youth for conservation Youth Crews in Alaska. Youth Crew Leaders co-supervise a crew of 8 Alaskan youth aged 14-19 alongside a second adult leader. Youth Crews work with state, federal, and Alaska Native Corporation partners throughout Alaska’s front and backcountry. Work projects are a mix of trail construction and maintenance, invasive species removal, and habitat restoration.

Apprentice Crew Leader

Program Dates - Training and project work length may vary depending on exact service location 

June : Crew Leader Training*
June and July: Project work *
*exact dates TBD

ACL Benefits: 

$500/week living allowance*

$650 travel allowance*
Uniform items
Housing/Camping and field-based meals

Program Overview:

Crews will consist of 2 Crew Leaders, 1 ACL, and 8 to 10 HS Crew Members.  The ACL will work alongside the Crew Leaders to help with day-to-day field management of the Crew throughout the project. Leaders, ACL’s and Members should be ﬂexible, willing to share space with their Crew, and invested in their personal and professional growth.

SCA NH Conservation Corps Field Specialist

Position Dates: Monday, March 21^st – Friday, October 28^th, 2022 (Dates are slightly ﬂexible)

Compensation: Competitive Salary- $700 per week, room (private rustic cabin with wood stove) and board included, and health insurance.

The SCA NH Conservation Corps Field Specialist plays a crucial role in the success of the conservation program, working closely with the Conservation Coordinator to train, supervise, and support 3 field crews of corps members completing technical trail projects, habitat restoration and visitor-use structure construction throughout New Hampshire.

SCA NH Corps Project Leader – Program Assistant

Position Dates: Monday, March 7th – Friday, November 11th, 2022 (Dates are slightly ﬂexible)

Compensation: Competitive Salary- $700 per week, room (private cabin with woodstove and electricity) and board included, health insurance available. November 11th, 2022 (Dates are slightly ﬂexible)

The SCA NH Conservation Corps Project Leader – Program Assistant plays a crucial role in the success of the program and more specifically the conservation program. This individual works closely with both the Conservation Coordinator to train, supervise, and support 3 field crews of corps members, and the Program Manager to assist with facilities and vehicle maintenance.

Adirondack Corps Project Leader

Location: Long Lake, NY

Position dates: Mid-April, 2022 to Mid-October, 2022

Starting Salary: $937.50/week

Position Summary: The Student Conservation Association (SCA), America’s #1 conservation service organization seeks an experience quality-oriented outdoor leader to supervise, educate and inspire the 24 members of the SCA Adirondack Corps. The Adirondack Corps is based at the Whitney Headquarters in Long Lake, NY on Little Tupper Lake.

Prescribed Fire Corps Crew Leader – Gulf states

The Student Conservation Association (SCA) seeks qualified applicants to lead, educate, and inspire young adults for the Preservation Fire Corps. The leader will work and live with a crew of four members (18+) that will conduct prescribed burns, prepare fire lines, and complete other conservation tasks under the supervision of a project partner. These crew members will come from diverse backgrounds and may not have fire experience. The leader must have a current red card and 1-2 years of wildfire or prescribed burning experience. In addition to having strong conservation work skills, we are looking for a leader that is emotionally mature and can motivate and inspire their crew members. Various positions are available along the Gulf coast (see list below) and leaders will be placed based on applicant’s preferred location, qualifications, and experience. Applicants will be accepted on a rolling basis, but those submitted by September 2021 will be given priority. Interviews will start in late-Sept or early-October 2021.

Program Dates: Jan – May 2022

Training Dates: TBD, Dec 2021 or Jan 2022

Various Locations / Partner:

Kisatchie National Forest (Pineville, LA) / US Forest Service
Davy Crockett National Forest (Kennard, TX) / US Forest Service
Natchez Trace Parkway – Roving (Tupelo, MS) / National Park Service
Disney Wilderness Preserve (Poinciana, FL) / The Nature Conservancy
Splinter Hill Bog Preserve - Roving (Montgomery, AL) / The Nature Conservancy

Fall 2021 Klamath Forest Sign and Sinkyone Wilderness Restoration Team Corps Project Leader

Fall Season Dates:

Leader Start Date: 8/23/2021

Members Start Date: 8/30/2021

Members End Date: 11/19/2021

Leader End Date: 11/26/2021

Program Location: Multiple Locations in Northern California; Sinkyone Wilderness, Klamath National Forest

Position Summary:Responsible for daily management and supervision of a Conservation Corps project in either a backcountry or front-country site with members 18 & older. Manage member and group safety and development while working on conservation projects. Represent SCA on-site and coordinate with Agency partner(s) on designated project(s).

Fall 2021 2021 Pacific West Veteran Fire Corps Project Leader

Leader Start Date: 8/16/2021

Members Start Date: 9/12/2021

Members End Date: 3/13/2022

Leader End Date: 3/18/2022

Program Location: Multiple Locations in California, the team will be expected to travel for the entirety of the program.

Position Summary:Responsible for daily management and supervision of a Conservation Corps project in either a backcountry or front-country site with members 18 & older. Manage member and group safety and development while working on conservation projects. Represent SCA on-site and coordinate with Agency partner(s) on designated project(s).

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.