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.

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.  

See details

Maryland Veteran Conservation Corps Project Leader

Position Dates: 
Leader Training: 9/6/21
Leader season start on site: 9/13/2021 
Leader end date: 10/7/2022

 

Work-Site Location: Merkle Natural Resources Management Area (Upper Marlboro, MD)

The Student Conservation Association (SCA), America’s #1 conservation service organization seeks qualified applicants to lead, educate, and inspire with the 2021 Maryland Veteran Conservation Corps Team based out of the Merkle Natural Resources Management Area and other nearby state parks.

Members are expected to use their personal vehicle to commute to the worksite daily. Daily work schedule is 7AM - 3PM. Bi-weekly, the leader will be paid a salary of $700/week. The Leader is also eligible for medical, dental, vision, short term disability, and retirement benefits through SCA.

 

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Fall 2021 Leader Teams

The Student Conservation Association (SCA), America’s #1 conservation service organization seeks qualified applicants to lead, educate, and inspire on 2021 fall Leader Teams.    

Leader Teams consist of members and leaders who have previously served on an SCA team. These four- to six-person crews typically serve for four to eight weeks on public lands across the country. Crews may camp for duration of the season in front or back country sites and work to complete projects such as trail building and maintenance, removing invasive species, installing signs, and other conservation projects in the field.

Program dates vary by site.

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2021- 2022 Houston School Year Weekend Leader

As Crew Leader, you will be working with a co-lead to guide and inspire a team of twelve Houston area students one weekend a month from October 2021- April 2022. The crew will be working on projects such as invasive species removal, habitat restoration in Houston Parks nd Recreation green spaces. Project monitoring and data collection will also be required throughout the season.

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2021 NEW YORK FIELD LEADER

Program Dates: ­ _July 5th-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
See details

Fall 2021 Desert Restoration Corps Project Leader

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

Fall Season Dates:

Leader Training: 8/15/2021 – 8/27/21   

Leader Planning Period & Member Training Prep: 8/30/2021 – 9/10/2021

Members Training Dates: 9/12/2021 – 10/2/2021

 

Project Duration: Projects range from 10 weeks to 25 weeks in duration.  Project Leader placements will be determined based on leader candidates’ experience, skills/certifications, and availability.  

 

Program Location: Ridgecrest, CA and surrounding areas.

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2022 Roving Forest Management Corps Project Leader

Position Dates (subject to change): 
Virtual Project Leader Training: December 2021 (dates TBD)
Leader season start on site: 1/3/2022 

Member season start: 1/17/2022
Leader end date: 8/14/2022

The Student Conservation Association (SCA), America’s #1 conservation service organization, seeks qualified applicants to lead, educate, and inspire with the 2022 Roving Forest Management Corps.

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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
See details

Houston Riparian Restoration Conservation Corps

The SCA, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), and The Houston Parks and Recreation (HPARD) are looking for a detail-oriented, highly motivated, and independent conservation team to join the 2021 Riparian Restoration Conservation Corps Team.

Program Dates: ­ 10/04/2021- 12/5/2021

 

Leader Dates: 9/27/2021- 12/12/2021

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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).

 

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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).

 

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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. 

 

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