Field Leader- Charles County Resilience Authority Youth Tree Corps

Position Summary

This schoolyear Saturday crew will support climate resilience in Charles County by caring for native trees planted across 10 public schools and community spaces affected by the urban heat island effect. Participants will meet on 12 Saturdays throughout the schoolyear to help maintain trees planted to provide shade, improve air quality, reduce stormwater runoff, and lower ambient temperatures. A team of 4 youth crew members will work alongside 2 SCA Crew Leaders to ensure long-term tree survival. Project tasks may include watering, mulching, weeding, staking, planting, and monitoring trees. Through this work, participants will gain hands-on conservation experience and help address the impacts of climate change in their community. Schedule: Every other Saturday between November 2025 and April 2026; exact dates TBA

Location

La Plata, MD

Schedule

October 27, 2025 - May 30, 2026

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Act as a Crew Supervisor, by co-leading a team of crew members, 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 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; After passing SCA MVR check and driver safety courses, Leader must be able to safely transport crew from morning pick-up, worksites, and afternoon drop off the SCA rental van

Marginal Duties

Crew leaders should expect to complete ~3-5 hours/weekly to complete crew leader administration tasks. These tasks may include coding expense receipts, uploading photos from the field, writing incident reports, attending weekly staff check-in meetings, or reviewing member time logs, among other things.

Required Qualifications

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; 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 pass SCA Motor Vehicle Report standards; Must be able to meet SCA’s criminal background check standards

Preferred Qualifications

Urban forestry, arboriculture, or tree care experience preferred; Experience working with youth or young adults, teaching or environmental education preferred; Leaders will work in new outdoor environments, being excited and open to new experiences is strongly desired; Experience working in a team; Open to learning new skills

Hours

40 per week

Living Accommodations

No housing provided: candidates must live near Charles County, Maryland

Compensation

$22/hour, paid bi-weekly

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

Additional Benefits

Defensive Drive Training

First Aid/CPR

Wilderness First Aid Training

Equal Opportunity Statement

The Student Conservation Association, Inc., is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The SCA strives to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all staff members and is committed to maintaining a work atmosphere where lifestyles may grow personally and professionally.