2027 Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps - Altoona Adult Crew

Student Conservation Association • Altoona, PA

8d • Onsite

About The Position

The Student Conservation Association (SCA) is seeking outgoing, team-oriented individuals to serve as crew members in the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps. This program is a collaboration between the SCA and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). As a crew member, you will gain paid service experience, job training, and educational opportunities while completing conservation and infrastructure projects on Pennsylvania’s public lands. The program emphasizes personal and professional growth, offering various development opportunities including trainings, certifications, networking, job shadowing, resume review, interviewing skills, and environmental education activities. This position is part of SCA’s AmeriCorps National Direct Program, which engages young adults in hands-on conservation service and provides job-skills training, support, and career pathways in environmental stewardship and infrastructure fields.

Requirements

• Ages 18 - 25 at the start of the program.
• Must have housing in or near the program city (45 Minutes or less drive to meeting location).
• Must have reliable transportation to and from crew meeting location.
• Must be a resident of Pennsylvania.
• Available for the duration of the entire service term – must complete at least 1200 service hours.
• Willing/able to complete overnight hitches during the season, spending 3 - 5 days away from home with the crew.
• Develop and maintain professional relationships with staff, crew leaders, and other members.
• Able to serve effectively with other team members to achieve goals and contribute to team success.
• Understand verbal and/or written communication.
• Must be dependable, flexible, and cooperative.
• Ability to take initiative to complete the task at hand without prompting.
• Accepting of leadership and supervisory authority.
• Completes tasks appropriately and in a timely manner.
• Able to conduct physically demanding service in all outdoor conditions.
• Ability to stand or remain on your feet for up to 8 hours per day.
• Ability to regularly walk/hike on uneven terrain, uphill or downhill, for 2 miles.
• Hike up to 5 miles, often while carrying a backpack, tools, and equipment.
• Lift heavy objects up to 40 pounds.
• Swing hand tools such as shovels, pick mattocks and mcleods for 6+ hours per day.
• Ability to perform duties in all weather conditions including extreme heat, cold, rain.
• Must be able to model safe and professional behavior at all times including wearing all appropriate personal protective equipment - PPE.
• Being a citizen, permanent resident, or national of the United States.
• Being at least 18 years or older.
• Having a high school diploma or equivalent or actively working to complete.
• Willing to undergo National Service Criminal History Check after acceptance of position, including criminal background, sex offender and FBI checks.

Nice To Haves

• Interest and investment in leadership development and teamwork is required.
• Commitment to serving as a productive team member; demonstrating strong interpersonal and professional skills.
• Commitment to service in environmental conditions that will include extreme heat, extreme cold, high winds, and precipitation.
• Must be willing to learn how to use hand tools and power tools to accomplish service activities.
• Full participation in professional development activities including virtual and in person sessions.
• Ability to communicate the presence of safety hazards through visual and auditory means.
• Interest in hands-on, outdoor service activities is preferred.
• Interest in pursuing a career in conservation or a related field is preferred.
• Individuals over 21 with a clean driving record will be required to drive an SCA vehicle at times during the field season.

Responsibilities

• Complete conservation and infrastructure projects on Pennsylvania’s public lands.
• Engage in facility maintenance such as painting, staining, light carpentry, plumbing, siding, and other building rehabilitation and upkeep.
• Participate in construction projects such as building bridges, stairs, picnic tables, pavilions, and masonry.
• Perform trail maintenance and construction, including implementing water management techniques, brushing, blazing, and reroutes.
• Engage in habitat restoration, including invasive species identification and treatments, and herbicide applications.
• Participate in tree planting and other general landscaping activities.
• Perform fencing and boundary line maintenance.
• Assist with maintenance and management of program supplies and materials.
• Assist with inspection and maintenance of program vehicles.
• Support coordination of transportation, safety protocols, accessibility needs, and other supplies for programs.
• Engage in professional development opportunities throughout the season.
• Serve in environmental conditions that may include extreme heat, extreme cold, high winds, and precipitation.
• Learn to use hand tools and power tools to accomplish service activities.
• Communicate the presence of safety hazards through visual and auditory means.
• Comply with all AmeriCorps Prohibited Activity restrictions.

Benefits

• Paid service experience
• Job training
• Educational opportunities
• Professional development opportunities
• Option to enroll in Health, Dental, and Vision Benefits through AmeriCorps (individual enrollment only)
• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award
• Federal Student Loan forbearance and interest payment deferment
• Holidays Off

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED