2027 Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps - Cultural Resource Crew

Student Conservation Association • Middletown, PA

13d • Onsite

About The Position

The Student Conservation Association (SCA), in partnership with AmeriCorps and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, is recruiting Cultural Resource Crew Members for the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps. The crew provides aspiring archaeologists and preservationists with professional skills and field experience to support careers in cultural resource management and land and resource management. Members serve at state parks and forests and other sites throughout Pennsylvania, taking part in project work, training, certifications, networking, job shadowing, and environmental education activities.

The service term runs from March 15, 2027, through November 18, 2027, and requires at least 1,200 service hours for AmeriCorps award eligibility. Members generally serve Monday through Wednesday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Thursday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; the posting also describes a 40-hour weekly commitment, while noting that weather-related call-offs mean 40 hours are not guaranteed. Regular travel is required, and some nights and weekends may be required. Members report to assigned weekly service locations and stay on site or nearby in program-provided accommodations. Housing is shared and may include cabins, yurts, lodges, other park housing, or camping. No housing is provided on off days, and members must have a Pennsylvania residence to return to.

In-person Corps Member Orientation is mandatory and paid, taking place March 15–22, 2027; lodging and meals are provided during orientation. The role is field-based and includes service in varied and sometimes severe weather and environmental conditions. Compensation includes a $675 weekly living allowance and a $5,176.50 Segal AmeriCorps Education Award upon successful completion of the 1,200-hour term. Members may enroll individually in AmeriCorps health, dental, and vision benefits. Holidays are off.

Requirements

• Be 18–25 years old at the start of the program.
• Be a Pennsylvania resident.
• Have a valid driver's license and reliable personal transportation to and from hitch locations throughout Pennsylvania; a personal vehicle is required.
• Be willing to regularly work in the field away from home and be available for the entire service term.
• Complete at least 1,200 service hours.
• Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or national.
• Have a high school diploma or equivalent, or be actively working to complete one.
• Agree to undergo a National Service Criminal History Check after acceptance, including criminal background, sex offender, and FBI checks.
• Develop and maintain professional relationships with staff, crew leaders, and other members.
• Live and serve effectively with team members to achieve goals and contribute to team success.
• Understand verbal and/or written communication.
• Be dependable, flexible, and cooperative; take initiative; accept leadership and supervisory authority; and complete tasks appropriately and on time.
• Be willing to serve in environmental conditions that may include extreme heat, extreme cold, high winds, precipitation, severe weather, decreased air quality, and natural hazards.
• Communicate the presence of safety hazards through visual and auditory means.
• Comply with AmeriCorps prohibited-activity restrictions in the SCA AmeriCorps Member Service Agreement.

Nice To Haves

• College degree in Cultural Resources Management, Anthropology, Archaeology, History, Historic Preservation, Museum Studies, or a related field.
• Experience writing for technical publication and public outreach.
• Experience curating archaeological or archival materials.
• Commitment to serving as a productive team member and demonstrating strong interpersonal and professional skills.
• Full participation in virtual and in-person professional development activities.

Responsibilities

• Conduct Phase I archaeological and above-ground historic resource surveys.
• Inventory, curate, and catalogue resources and materials.
• Participate in research-oriented investigations.
• Conduct site assessments, including reconnaissance and inventory of landscape features.
• Assist with historical restoration projects.
• Perform cemetery preservation and maintenance.
• Complete additional service activities within the scope of the core project.
• Participate fully in professional development activities, training, and educational activities.
• Maintain program supplies and materials; assist with their inspection and management.
• Assist with inspection and maintenance of program vehicles.
• Support coordination of transportation, safety protocols, accessibility needs, and program supplies.
• Participate in shared housing and crew responsibilities, including chores, cooking group meals, and grocery shopping.

Benefits

• $675 per week living allowance.
• $5,176.50 Segal AmeriCorps Education Award upon successful completion of 1,200 service hours.
• Option to enroll individually in health, dental, and vision benefits through AmeriCorps.
• Federal student loan forbearance and interest payment deferment through AmeriCorps for qualifying student loans.
• Program-provided shared housing while on hitch.
• Lodging and meals during mandatory Corps Member Orientation.
• Holidays off.
• Training and professional development, including AmeriCorps and SCA orientation, SCA risk management, workforce development and job readiness, and technical field skills training.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED