PA Outdoor Corps - 2025 Laurel Highlands Adult Crew

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. The Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps offers paid work experience, job training, and educational opportunities. Corps members will join a team of young adults to complete conservation and infrastructure projects on Pennsylvania's public lands. Throughout the season members will also participate in education and training activities related to resource management, environmental education and recreation.

Laurel Highlands crew project locations may include places such as:

Laurel Hill State Park

Laurel Ridge State Park

Ohiopyle State Park

Forbes State Forest

Shawnee State Park

Linn Run State Park

Other Community Partners and Organizations

This a regionally recruited for crew with an anticipated meeting location being Greensburg PA. Applicants from across the Laurel Highlands region are encouraged to apply. More information on the logistics of this crew will be provided during the selection process.

Program Dates

March 17th, 2025 - November 26th, 2025

***CORPS MEMBER TRAINING will take place in person from March 17th - March 24th. This is a paid required training for all corps members. Members should plan to be away from home during this time. Lodging and meals provided.

Daily Schedule:

Monday - Wednesday 7:00am-5:00pm

Thursday 7:00am - 4:30pm

• Lunches are 30 Minutes, unpaid

Crew members will meet each morning at a centralized meeting location in Greensburg (anticipated). At the meeting location, crew members will load into the crew truck and travel out to work locations together. Crews return to the meeting location by the end of the work day. Please consider that the commute to the worksite may be an hour or more each way. This time is included in the work day.

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

Marginal Duties

• Work collaboratively on a small team
• Fully participate in Environmental Education opportunities
• Participate in professional development days including virtual and in person sessions throughout the season

Required Qualifications

• Ages 18 - 25 at the start of the program
• Able to conduct physically demanding work in all outdoor conditions. Including the ability to hike up to 4 miles per day and regularly lift/carry up to 40 pounds
• Able to work collaboratively on a small team of peers
• Must be able to model safe and professional behavior at all times including wearing all appropriate Personal Protective Equipment - PPE
• Must have housing in or near the program city. (45 Minutes or less drive to meeting location)
• Must have reliable transportation to and from crew meeting location
• Must be a resident of Pennsylvania
• Willing/able to complete overnight hitches during the season, spending 3 - 5 days away from home with the crew.

Preferred Qualifications

• An interest in conservation careers, trade skills, or a related field in highly encouraged.
• Individuals over 21 with a clean driving record will be required to drive an SCA vehicle at times during the field season.

Living Accommodations

No housing is provided. Members must have/secure their own housing for the duration of the program

Compensation

$15.50/hr paid bi-weekly. (75 total hours per pay period)

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

Personal Vehicle Information

Recommended for transport to daily meeting location

Additional Benefits

• PTO
• Paid Holidays
• Optional Employee Sponsored Benefits (Health, Dental, Vision, Retirement)

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.