Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps

Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps

The SCA, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry have launched a multi-year partnership to field a statewide conservation corps program. The Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps offers paid work experience, job training, and educational opportunities to teens and young adults as they protect and restore public lands and waters.

Outdoor Corps members will tackle hands-on projects in state parks, state forests and other natural lands. In addition, the program provides learning opportunities in resource management, team leadership, environmental topics and recreation skills. Corps members also will be provided with career development training during their period of employment.

Now Hiring: Leaders and Members for the 2021 Adult Program!

2021 Crew Locations: Altoona, Meadville, Harrisburg, Harrisburg (Roving Resource Management), Pittsburgh, Philadelphia (Roving Trail Crew), Wilkes-Barre, Williamsport, and Saint Marys

2021 Crew Leaders

Project leaders train, supervise and administer crews of five members, between the ages of 18 and 25, working on a variety of outdoor conservation projects, including trail maintenance, habitat restoration, invasive species removal, facility maintenance, light construction and resource inventory. Leaders coordinate with agency partners to plan and implement projects and work with SCA staff to manage safety, crew performance and logistics in the field. One leader is assigned to each crew.

Program Info

  • Training Dates: February 8th - 12th, 2021
  • Adult Leader Season: February 8th to December 10th, 2021
  • Program Dates: March 1st to December 3rd, 2021
  • Hours: Monday - Thursday, 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM
  • Locations: Altoona, Meadville, Harrisburg, Harrisburg (Roving Resource Management), Pittsburgh, Philadelphia (Roving Trail Crew), Wilkes-Barre, Williamsport, and Saint Marys
  • Compensation: $700 per week, employee-sponsored benefits (health, dental, vision, retirement, PTO), paid trainings and career development opportunities 

Qualifications

Applicants must:

  • Experience working with youth or young adults, teaching or environmental education a plus
  • Experience with conservation work skills or related skills preferred
  • Ability to perform manual, physical labor for up to 8 hours per day, exposed to the elements, and 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 from Feb. 8th to Feb. 12th, 2021
  • Must be a minimum of 21 years of age
  • Must have ability to legally work in the US
  • Must have a valid driver’s license for 3+ years and MVR that meets SCA standards
  • Must be able to meet SCA’s criminal background check standards
  • Must have or secure housing in or near program city

To Apply: To start or continue a Field Leader application, please visit MySCA to login or sign up now! For those with an existing application, please update your dates of availability and any other relevant information. Upon completing the application process, please email Program Manager Ted Miller at [email protected], or reach out via phone at 412-325-1851 ext. 3024 to let us know you’re interested.

For more information, view the PA Outdoor Corps 2021 Crew Leader Flier (PDF).

2021 Crew Members

Program Info

  • Application deadline: January 1, 2021
  • Program Dates: March 1st - December 3rd, 2021
  • Weekly Schedule: Monday - Thursday, 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Locations: Altoona, Meadville, Harrisburg, Harrisburg (Roving Resource Management), Pittsburgh, Philadelphia (Roving Trail Crew), Wilkes-Barre, Williamsport, and Saint Marys
  • Compensation: $13.20/hour, employer-sponsored benefits, paid trainings and career-development opportunities
  • To Apply - download our application instructions HERE

Qualified members who demonstrate exceptional leadership skills and work ethic during their positions on the 10-month crew will also gain the unique opportunity to take a 10-week leave from their position to assume the role of crew leader for one of the PA Outdoor Corps high school crews. These crews are comprised of two leaders and 10 members, ages 15 to 18, and run for six weeks during July and August each summer.

For more information, view the PA Outdoor Corps 2021 Crew Member Flyer (PDF)

2021 Summer Youth Program

Important Updates to the 2021 Summer Youth Program

Due to the ongoing pandemic, the structure of PA Outdoor Corps Summer Youth Program has been modified to enhance they safety of youth members and crew leaders.  The following changes have been made to the program.

PA Outdoor Corps crews will be limited to cities and/or towns below:

  • Altoona
  • Greensburg
  • Harrisburg
  • Erie
  • Philly
  • Pittsburgh (this crew is currently planned to be an all American Sign Language (ASL) crew through a partnership with an organization that works with the deaf and hard of hearing).
  • St. Mary’s
  • Williamsport
  • Wilkes-Barre
  • Wellsboro
  • York
  • McConnellsburg

Following the pandemic-related cancellation of the 2020 program, previously accepted applicants from last year will have first option for 2021 field positions. At the same time, this year’s crews will field one crew leader and five crew members versus the more typical two leaders and 10 members. This change is being implemented out of an abundance of caution.

Consequently, with fewer positions available, crew applications for 2021 are only being accepted for the following locations:
-McConnellsburg
-Erie
-Greensburg
-St. Mary’s

Program staff will soon contact 2020 applicants with information regarding the 2021 summer program.

Contact Us

For inquiries about 2021 Young Adult Leader positions, please email Program Manager Ted Miller at [email protected].
 
For inquiries about 2021 Young Adult Member positions please email Program Coordinator Stephen Luteran at [email protected]. 
 
For 2021 Youth Program Inquiries please contact Program Coordinator Vickery Lauro at [email protected]. 

 

Additional Resources


PA Outdoor Corps