Urban Green- Forest Preserves of Cook County 2025 Gap Year Crew
Position Summary
The Student Conservation Association (SCA), America's #1 conservation service organization in partnership with the Forest Preserve District of Cook County seeks qualified applicants to sign up for our Young Adult Gap Year Conservation Leadership Corp! This position is designed to provide conservation job training experience for young adults, ages 18-22.
This 19-week program begins June 24 and runs through October 30, 2025. Team members will gain vital workforce development skills and environmental education through hands-on service to the land and leadership skills through mentorship of high school teens during a summer job high school program.
Schedule
June 30, 2025 - October 31, 2025
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Complete as a team an assortment of hands-on conservation and restoration projects within different areas in the Forest Preserves of Cook County and help co-lead weekly educational field days for high school students. During the summer (Part 1 of internship), crew members will act as Assistant Crew leaders (ACL) to a group of ten high school students at a local nature center through the Chicago Conservation Leadership Corps program (CCLC). CCLC youth conduct on hands-on conservation activities including invasive plant removal and train maintenance projects and participate in environmental education activities to gain knowledge about their local environment. During Part 2, interns will create a new team of 5 crew members with 2 crew leaders once the CCLC program ends. This newly formed crew ecological restoration will gain advanced conservation job skills and real-world experience to prepare one for future jobs in forestry and restoration skills. Work includes training and practice to remove invasive plants using herbicide, chainsaws, brush cutters as well as training to conduct brush pile burns, collect native seeds, and advanced ecology as designated by the Forest Preserves of Cook County.
During the fall portion of the program, the GAP Crew members will become certified in CPR/First Aid, receive their alternative herbicide certification, and gain certifications in chainsaw. As with all SCA crews, SCA Community Core Curriculum will be utilized to introduce topics such as self-care; mental health; Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion; conservation ethics; environmental justice; and more.
Marginal Duties
- Act as a Crew Supervisor Assistant, by facilitating teamwork, managing field-based tasks, and guiding crew dynamics during the summer for high school youth
- Serve as an Advisor, by training youth in technical conservation work skills, mentoring personal and professional development, and teaching environmental stewardship
- Act as a Project Manager Assistant, by communicating with your crew leaders, program partners, and other staff ensuring successful and timely completion of work projects, and upholding a positive representation of SCA and the Forest Preserves District of Cook County
- Perform tasks as a crew, by organizing logistics, completing documentation, communicating effectively, having regular check-ins with program staff
Required Qualifications
- Experience or being open to working outdoors as a part of team in conservation leadership during all weather conditions
- Experience with conservation work skills or related skills preferred – i.e. trail maintenance, trail construction, habitat restoration, chainsaw, carpentry, landscaping, and gardening
- Ability to perform manual, physical labor for up to 8 hours per day, exposed to the elements and most occasionally lift and/or move 40 pounds or more
- Must be able to complete the full length of the program all 19 weeks
- Must be able to attend Local Crew Leader training (6/24-6/27):
- Must be a minimum of 18-22 years of age
- Must have ability to legally work in the US
- Must be able to get to and from the morning pick-up location
- Must be able to meet SCA's criminal background check standards
- Knowledge of mid-western ecology, or knowledge of the forest preserves is a big plus
Preferred Qualifications
Hours
28 per week
Living Accommodations
No housing is offered for this position
Compensation
Compensation: part 1- $17 per hour for 28 hours weeks, paid training with wages increasing to $18 per hour for part 2 – 32 hours per week.
All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes.
Personal Vehicle Information
Additional Benefits
First Aid/CPR
AmeriCorps: Not Eligible
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.
Physical requirements and working conditions specific to the position are available in the full job description.