Urban Green - C&O Canal National Historic Park Towpath Crew Member -Potomac

Conservation Begins Here

C&O Canal National Historic Park Towpath (Potomac, MD)

Position Summary

This crew will be based out of the Palisades maintenance shop in Potomac, MD, and support the C&O Canal maintenance staff with routine daily activities along the towpath. This crew will consist of three members that will work alongside an SCA crew leader, NPS partners, and SCA staff. Primarily, this project requires SCA members to remove vegetation from historic stone culverts, locks, flumes, abutments, walls, and any other historic stone structure within the park boundaries that the NPS deems the need for vegetation removal. This crew will assist the NPS staff with the removal of fallen trees in the park and along the towpath. Members may have an opportunity to support projects related to carpentry, masonry, and GIS mapping. If members do not already have basic first aid and CPR training, they will receive this training during the program. Members of this crew may receive chainsaw certification, dependent upon the capacity of NPS staff to host the training. If the position is successfully completed, members may be eligible to earn the Public Land Corps (PLC) Hiring Authority giving them eligibility to apply to merit vacancy announcements within the Federal Government for two years.

Schedule

April 28, 2025 - October 31, 2025

Monday – Friday 6:00 am – 2:00 pm (8-hour workdays, 40-hour work weeks) Schedule subject to change with notice from NPS or SCA.

6:00 am – Report to shop receive work assignment

6:00 am – 11:00 am – Project work

11:00 am – 11:30 am – Lunch break

11:30 am – 1:30 pm – Continue project work

1:30 pm – 2:00 pm – Wrap project work, clean-up worksite, team debrief workday

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Participate in outdoor conservation field work and environmental education; Work collaboratively with team members and SCA partners and staff completing designated work projects; Learn and develop skills in vegetation removal, mower use, power tools use, plant ID, and forest health; Participate in career builder activities and National Park Service trainings

Marginal Duties

Participate in environmental education learning activities; Letter of Reflection; Complete feedback surveys; Participate in professional development sessions like career panels, SMART Goal planning, and Leave No Trace training

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 18 years of age
• Must have the ability to legally work in the US
• Must be able to meet SCA's criminal background check standards
• Must be able to select Saturdays throughout the program season

Optional benefit: This SCA Position is authorized under the Public Land Corps Authority. Participants must be between the ages of 16 and 30, inclusive, or veterans age 35 or younger to be eligible for PLC Hiring Authority certificate. Participants must also be a citizen or national of the United States or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States. Hours served can be applied toward a future Public Land Corps (PLC) hiring authority.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience working in team a plus; Experience working outdoors a plus

Hours

40 per week

Living Accommodations

No housing provided; Persons must already have secured housing locally prior to starting the position; Candidates must confirm housing during phone screen or interview

Compensation

$700/weekly; 40-hour work weeks; bi-weekly pay

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

Personal Vehicle Information

Required

Transportation and Site Locations: Leader and members must provide their own transportation to and from the maintenance shop at the Palisades, Maryland site. The Palisades shop is located at; 11710 Macarthur Blvd Potomac, MD.

Additional Benefits

• Defensive Driver Training
• First Aid/CPR
• AmeriCorps: Not Eligible

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.