Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps

9 Month Young Adult Vocational Training Program

Find your place in the green industry by joining the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps. Over the course of 9 months, participants will work in State Parks, Forests, and other outdoor space to complete hands on conservation and recreation projects. Get real world skills to help you pursue a rewarding career in the green industry and beyond. In a season with the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps you will gain a strong understanding of how State Parks and Forests operate and acquire the skills it take to be industry ready.
 
Conditions of Employment: 
 
All SCA program participants are required to provide proof of Up to Date vaccination. Up to Date vaccination is defined as having received a booster shot six months after the Pfizer and Moderna primary series and two months after the Johnson & Johnson primary series. All participants eligible for the booster as of January 2022 should upload proof of their booster by March 1, 2022. Personnel who become eligible for the booster after January 2022 should upload proof within 30 days of becoming eligible. This means that you can start the SCA program if you are not yet eligible for the booster but agree to upload proof once you become eligible. OR Receive from SCA a reasonable accommodation granting an exemption from vaccine requirements based on a medical disability or because of a sincerely held religious belief. Additional information and instructions regarding how to request a reasonable accommodation will be provided at the time of selection.
 

Learn New Skills

Participants have the opportunity to gain numerous career-focused skills as well as participate in professional development opportunities and trainings.

  • Basic Carpentry and Construction Techniques
  • Hand Tools Competency
  • Trail Construction and Maintenance
  • Habitat Management Techniques
  • Basic Electrical Skills
  • Game of Logging Chainsaw Certification
  • Wilderness First Aid
  • Masonry
  • Roofing
  • Wild land Firefighting
  • Environmental Education Opportunities
  • Leadership and Communication
  • Job Shadowing with Industry Professionals
  • Resume Review and Career Coaching
  • Goal setting

**Not all participants will be able to gain every skill listed, every crew will differ slightly based on projects and available training opportunities. Some certifications/skills may require time outside of work to complete

Start Your Career NOW

Upon completion of the program, members will have the necessary skills to pursue a variety of careers in the green sector and beyond. Below are just some examples of careers our members have moved in to:

Work at the DCNR

Private Sector

Government Agencies

- Laborer

- Semi-Skilled Laborer

- Clerk Typist

- Ranger Trainee

- Environmental Education Specialist

- Interpretive Ranger

- Arborist

- Outdoor Educator

- Construction and Trade Positions

- Grounds Keeper

- Forester

- Trail Crews

- Other Conservation Corps

- US Forest Service

- Fish and Boat Commission

- Dept of Ag.

- Game Commission

- DEP

*Some positions require prerequisites or college credits to be eligible

Throughout the season, participants will be provided career development and netwoking opportunities to support the advancement of their individual career goals. Participants will also gain access to the SCA alumni network which provides mentoring, further professional and peer networking, exploring recent job openings, information about nearby service/social events, etc.

Positions Available Across Pennsylvania!

2022 Crew Locations:
Altoona, Meadville, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Saint Marys Wilkes-Barre, Williamsport
*The Philadelphia crew will be a Roving Trail Crew
*Harrisburg will host a local crew as well as a Roving Resource Management Crew

2022 Crew Member Details

Crews consist of 5 members and 1 Project Leader

Program Dates: Feb 28th-Dec 1st, 2022
Weekly Schedule: Mon-Wed 7:00am-5:00pm Thur 7:00am-4:30pm
Roving Crew Schedule: 8 Days on with 6 Days off (Wed-Wed)
Compensation: $13.70/hr to start increase to $14.20 on July 1st, , employee sponsored benefits, PTO

To Apply: Applications are always accepted. Positions can become available at any time during the field season. We are always seeking back fill candidates to jump into these positions when they become available. Positions are generally back filled until the end of August.

 Interested candidates can follow this link to EXPRESS INTEREST or Email Stephen Luteran [email protected] with your name and program city of interest.

**Recruitment for the 2023 season will begin in November

Who Should Apply to be a crew member?

The PAOC is open to applicants between 18-25. From those looking for an alternative to traditional schooling to recent grads looking to gain field experience. Our members come from a wide range of backgrounds and situations. We look for those who are eager to learn and work on a team in the outdoors regardless of previous experience.
 
SCA recognizes that as an industry, there is much to do to increase representation in the field to reflect the communities we aim to serve. We also know that diversity of identities, experiences and ways of thinking result in better solutions for the communities we serve. For this reason, SCA especially encourages applicants from communities who experience systemic barriers—including people of color, women, LGBTQIA+ and people with disabilities—to apply for these positions.

2022 Summer Youth Program

2022 Summer Youth Program Now Accepting Applications - Youth Crew Leaders

Application Deadline: April 15, 2022

Step into a leadership position and grow your conservation knowledge with the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps! For the 2022 summer season, the PA Outdoor Corps is looking for qualified applicants to lead, educate, and inspire youth while completing conservation projects in State Parks, Forests, and other outdoor spaces across Pennsylvania. Crew Leaders train, supervise, and guide crews of 6 high school students, ages 15 to 18, on a variety of outdoor work projects, including trail construction, habitat restoration, and park maintenance, among others. Leaders should have experience working with youth or experience in outdoor occupations. Two leaders are assigned to each crew.

Conditions of Employment: 
 
All SCA program participants are required to provide proof of Up to Date vaccination a minimum of two weeks prior to the start of the program on July 5, 2022. Up to Date vaccination is defined as having received a booster shot six months after the Pfizer and Moderna primary series and two months after the Johnson & Johnson primary series. All participants eligible for the booster as of January 2022 should upload proof of their booster by March 1, 2022. Personnel who become eligible for the booster after January 2022 should upload proof within 30 days of becoming eligible. This means that you can start the SCA program if you are not yet eligible for the booster but agree to upload proof once you become eligible. OR Receive from SCA a reasonable accommodation granting an exemption from vaccine requirements based on a medical disability or because of a sincerely held religious belief. Additional information and instructions regarding how to request a reasonable accommodation will be provided at the time of selection.

Position Information

Locations: Altoona, Allentown, Erie, Greensburg, Harrisburg, Hazelton, Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh (ASL), Ridgeway, Reading, Renovo, McConnellsburg, Norristown, Wilkes-Barre, Williamsport, Wellsboro, York

Youth Leader Season: June 13 - August 16, 2022

Training Dates: June 13 - 24, 2022 (Must be able to attend the full training)

ASL Crew Leader Additional Training Dates with CorpsTHAT: May 19 - June 3, 2022

Program Dates: July 5 to August 12, 2022

Hours: Monday - Friday, 7:30 AM to3:30 PM

Compensation: $700 per week, paid training, and career networking opportunities

Qualifications

- Must be a minimum of 21 years of age
- 1-2 years prior experience in working with youth and/or in outdoor settings
- Current First Aid and CPR certification required by the start of training.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
- Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills
- Ability to perform manual, physical labor for up to 8 hours per day in outdoor settings, and occasionally lift and/or move 40 pounds or more
- Must be able to attend Crew Leader training from June 13 - 24, 2022
- Must have ability to legally work in the U.S.
- 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 complete and submit required clearances for working with minors in PA prior to position start;

● Federal Criminal History Record
● Act 34 - PA State Criminal Record Check (PATCH)
● Act 33 - PA Child Abuse History Clearance

- Must be deaf, hard of hearing or fluent in ASL to qualify for the Pittsburgh ASL leader position

To Apply: Interested candidates can follow this link to EXPRESS INTEREST and Email Program Coordinator Vickery Lauro with your resume and program city of interest.

 

Youth Members -

Open Enrollment February 1 - April 15, 2022

Young people across the state will join a small group of their peers during the summer of 2022 to complete conservation projects and participate in environmental education sessions in Pennsylvania State Parks and on public lands. Each crew will consist of 6 youth members and two adult leaders. Commuting crews will spend daily workhours with their respective teams then return home after each workday. ASL Camping crews will remain on-site for the full duration of their respective three week session, and will explore environmental education topics and have leisure time on -site during the weekends. 

Position Information

Program Dates: July 5 to August 12, 2022

Locations: Altoona, Allentown, Erie, Greensburg, Harrisburg, Hazelton, Pittsburgh, Ridgeway, Reading, Renovo, McConnellsburg, Norristown, Wilkes-Barre, Williamsport, Wellsboro, York, ASL Camping Crew

Hours: Monday - Friday, 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM

Compensation: $13.00/hr

ASL Camping Program Dates: First session July 5 - July 23; Second session July 26 - August 13
 
ASL Camping Program: Laurel Hill State Park Complex; Rockwood, PA
 
Hours: Monday - Friday, 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM; weekends spent on-site for educational sessions and leisure
 
Compensation: $13.00/hr
 
Qualifications 

- Must be between the ages of 15-18 years old by the start of the program
- Must be available to participate in the full six weeks of the program (3 unexcused absences are permitted) For ASL Camping Crew must be available for one full 3 week session. 
- Willingness to work on a small team of peers
- Curiosity about the natural world
- Desire to learn new skills and participate in weekly educational sessions
- Must have ability to legally work in the U.S.
- Must have transportation to and from centralized crew meeting location (typically a public building, park, or common space that is determined and communicated by crew leader prior to the season start. Locations will be accessible via public transportation if applicable in your city).
- Must be deaf or hard of hearing to qualify for a Pittsburgh ASL crew member position

To Apply: Interested candidates can follow this link to EXPRESS INTEREST. Once complete candidates will receive further instruction to complete the application process via email and will be officially placed on our candidate list.

Contact Us

  • For inquiries about 2022 Young Adult Leader positions, please email Program Manager Ted Miller at [email protected]
  • For inquiries about 2022 Young Adult Member positions please email Program Coordinator Stephen Luteran at [email protected]
  • For Inquiries about the 2022 Youth Program please email Program Coordinator Vickery Lauro at [email protected]
  • For all other general inquires please email [email protected]

Additional Resources

PA Outdoor Corps