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 as Project Leaders for the 2026 field season. Project Leaders train, supervise, and administer a crew of five young adults during the field season as they work on a conservation projects, career development, and environmental education. Project Leaders work closely with SCA and DCNR staff to ensure a successful and meaningful season for their crews.
The State College Crew will complete conservation and infrastructure projects at state parks in the region such as:
Penn-Roosevelt State Park
Whipple Dam State Park
Greenwood Furnace State Park
Poe Paddy State Park
Poe Valley State Park
Reeds Gap State Park
R.B Winter State Park
Ravensburg State Park
Bald Eagle State Forest
Position Dates 6/10/26 - 8/11/26
- Total paid days: 45 days (9 weeks)
- Mandatory Leader Training: 6/10/26 – 6/23/26 (Virtual and In-Person sessions)
- Virtual Sessions (Zoom): 6/10/26 - 6/11/26; 6/23/26
- In-Person Conservation Work Skills: 6/14 /26 - 6/21/26
- Location - Training site: Laurelville Retreat Center, Mt. Pleasant, PA
- Fully paid training with transportation, lodging, and all meals provided. Travel and overnight, on-site stay required at training site full-time from 6/14/26 – 6/21/26. Training details will be shared in advance.
- Leader Prep Week: 6/24/26 – 6/25/26
- Members in the Field: 6/30/26 – 8/7/26
- Leader Season Debrief: 8/10/26 - 8/11/26
- Travel and an overnight stay are required. Group lodging and meals provided.
Field Season Schedule: Crew hours are Monday-Friday 7:30am-3:30pm.
*Project Leaders may need to complete tasks outside of these hours
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Act as a Crew Supervisor, 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 environment 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. Projects Leaders also coordinate professional development and environmental education opportunities throughout the season.
- Perform tasks as a Program Administrator, by organizing logistics, completing documentation, managing a budget, and communicating with SCA staff.
Marginal Duties
- Coordinate overnight hitch logistics such as lodging and grocery shopping.
- Support program planning through debriefs with SCA and agency partner staff.
- Use industry standards to collect and record field data.
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
Required Qualifications
- Minimum 1 year of leadership, teaching, or supervisory experience
- Strong preference for experience working with youth or young adults ages 18-30 in a coaching or mentoring role.
- Experience with conservation work skills or related skills- i.e., trail maintenance, trail construction, habitat restoration, 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
- Strong communication and organizational skills
- 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 Must be able to meet SCA’s criminal background check standards
Hours
40 per week
Living Accommodations
No housing provided. Leader must have/secure their own housing prior to the program start date.
Compensation
$19.38/hr (approx. $775/week pre-tax) paid biweekly.
*All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes.
General Physical Requirements
- Able to understand, adhere to, and communicate with others regarding hazards, procedures, and safety policies.
- Able to stay alert and engaged for extended periods of program time.
- Able to independently manage known medical conditions with the resources available throughout the position or program.
- Able to wear all required personal protective equipment, including internal or external, safety glasses, hard hats, gloves, N95 or other approved face mask or shield, chaps, and appropriate footwear.
- Able to refrain from behaviors and actions that disrupt the work and safety of others.
- Able to cooperate with others to complete daily group tasks, responsibilities, and project work under potentially difficult conditions, variable daily routines, and with limited personal time.
- Able to self-regulate or co-regulate emotions and actions when distressed or uncomfortable, with or without the support of others.
- Able to self-manage outdoor and environmental exposure (e.g., temperature, wind, sun, etc.) in a variety of weather conditions.
- If using prescription medications, able to self-medicate by following the prescribed dosage, usage, and timing without supervisor assistance (except possibly at the direction of higher medical authority in emergency situations).
- Able to independently carry a backpack weighing up to or approximately 30% of body weight for a minimum of 5 miles and a maximum of 15 miles with adequate breaks dependent on weather, terrain, and trail conditions.
- Able to lift a backpack weighing up to or approximately 30% of body weight, with minimal assistance from others.
Working Conditions
- Work schedules and projects may change on short notice or be ambiguous.
- Work settings require the ability to positively interact with people of varying cultures and perspectives.;Inclement and severe weather conditions, including heavy rain and flash flooding, gusty and strong winds, foggy or decreased visibility, and lightning events.
- Decreased or inclement air quality conditions due to wildfire smoke or smog.
- Warm temperatures and adverse heat conditions which could include temperatures in some regions up to 110°F or hotter.
- Cold temperatures and adverse winter weather which could include temperatures in some regions -20°F or colder with wind, snow, and sleet.
- Exposure to natural and environmental hazards such as, poison ivy, oak, or sumac, tick and mosquito -borne illness, snakes, and potential for other wildlife encounters.
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
