Field Leader- 2025 Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps - Altoona Adult Crew

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Student Conservation Association

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Altoona, PA, United States

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Position Summary

The Student Conservation Association in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), is seeking outgoing individuals to join the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps as Project Leaders for the 2025 field season. Project Leaders train, supervise, and administer a crew of five young adults during the field season as they work on a conservation projects, career development, and environmental education. Project Leaders work closely with SCA and DCNR staff to ensure a successful and meaningful season for their crews.

Dates

February 24th, 2025- December 5th, 2025

Locations

Altoona, Pennsylvania

  • Leader Training- 2/24/25 – 3/7/25
  • Leader Prep Week- 3/10/25 – 3/14/25
  • Members in the Field: 3/17/25 – 11/26/25

Field Season Schedule: Crew hours are Monday-Wednesday 7:00am-5:00pm, Thursday 7:00am-4:30pm.

  • Project Leaders may need to complete tasks outside of those hours

Key Duties and Responsibilities

  • 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 environment 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. Projects Leaders also coordinate professional development and environmental education opportunities throughout the season
  • Perform tasks as a Program Administrator, by organizing logistics, completing documentation, managing a budget, and communicating with SCA staff

Work Project May Include:

  • Facility maintenance projects including: painting, staining, light carpentry, plumbing, siding, other building rehabilitation and upkeep
  • Constructions projects such as: bridges, stairs, picnic tables, pavilions, and masonry
  • Trail maintenance and construction including: implementing water management techniques, brushing, blazing, reroutes
  • Habitat Restoration including: invasive species identification and treatments, herbicide applications
  • Tree Planting, and other general landscaping
  • Fencing and Boundary Line Maintenance
  • Other work as assigned

Required Qualifications

  • Minimum 1 year of leadership, teaching, or supervisory experience
  • Strong preference for experience working with youth or young adults ages 18-30.
  • Experience with conservation work skills or related skills- i.e., trail maintenance, trail construction, habitat restoration, carpentry, landscaping, and gardening.
  • Ability to perform manual, physical labor for up to 8 hours per day, exposed to the elements, and must occasionally lift and/ or move 40 pounds or more
  • Strong communication and organizational skills
  • Current Wilderness First Aid and CPR certification required by the start of training
  • Must be a minimum of 21 years of age
  • Must have the 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

Hours

40 per week

Living Accommodations

No housing provided. Leader must have/secure their own housing prior to the program start date.

Compensation

$825/week (pre-tax) paid bi-weekly.

All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes.

Additional Benefits

  • PTO
  • Paid Holidays
  • Optional Employee Sponsored Benefits (Health, Dental, Vision, Retirement)
  • Cell Phone reimbursement ($45/month)

Equal Opportunity Statement

SCA strives to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all staff members. SCA is committed to maintaining a work atmosphere in which people of diverse backgrounds and lifestyles may grow personally and professionally. The Student Conservation Association, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.

Physical requirements and working conditions specific to the position are available in the full job description.