Field Leader - Urban and Community Forestry
Conservation Begins Here.
The Student Conservation Association (SCA) is the largest provider of hands-on environmental conservation programs for youth and adults. Program participants protect and restore national parks, marine sanctuaries, cultural landmarks, and community green spaces across the country.
Training Dates: 5/9/24 – 5/26/24 (paid mandatory training)
ProgramDates: 6/3/24 – 12/20/24
Work times: 7:30 – 3:30 pm
Location (City and State):San Francisco Bay Area, CA
Primary Responsibilities:
As Crew Leader, you will guide and inspire a team of 5 young adults to complete field conservation projects throughout state and local parks and community areas. Members will work for 6 months. The leader will be onboard for 7 months, which includes leader training and post-program wrap up tasks.
All four crew members will go through training to complete different field projects throughout the park including:
- Tree care and maintenance
- Pruning
- Watering
- Planting
- Mulching
- Checking soil health
- Basic trail and urban canopy work
The crew leader will work collaboratively and efficiently with their team to complete these projects by deadline. Tool usage, safety, risk, and job hazard assessments will be part of training and daily briefings. Crew leaders will learn to work safely in outdoor environments while learning new skills alongside their crew members. Being open to new experiences is a huge advantage for crew leaders.
In addition to field work, crew leaders should expect to complete ~3-5 hours/weekly outside of work hours to complete crew leader administration tasks. These tasks may include coding expense receipts, uploading photos from the field, writing incident reports, or reviewing members' time logs, among other things.
Specifically, the Crew Leader will:
- Act as a CrewSupervisor, 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 environmental 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
- Perform tasks as a Program Administrator, by organizing logistics, completing documentation, managing a budget, and communicating with SCA staff
Leader Qualifications:
- Experience working with youth or young adults, teaching, or environmental education a plus
- 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 must occasionally lift and/or move 40 pounds or more
- Must be able to attend Crew Leader training: 5/13/24 – 5/26/24
- 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
Leader Benefits and Compensation:
- $940 weekly stipend at 40 hours a week
- Health insurance benefits
- Cell phone stipend
- Paid time off
- Explore green jobs and career opportunities
- Complete important conservation projects in the multiple bay area counties
- Participate in professional development and skill building as a team
- Alumni benefits after successful completion of program
- SCA gear package
The Student Conservation Association, Inc. is an equal-opportunity employer. Click here to learn more about Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at the SCA.