Assistant Leader - Rock Creek Young Adult Crew

Student Conservation Association

18d

About The Position

The 2026 Rock Creek Young Adult Crew, composed of 1 Crew Leader, 1 Assistant
Crew Leader, and 8 Members, will conduct hands-on service work in a variety of
locations throughout Rock Creek Park in Washington, DC to improve trail quality
and visitor experience. Projects may include installing and repairing trail
structures, maintaining trail integrity through corridor clearing, installing
and repairing signage, and planting vegetation in selected areas.

Work will be conducted in a variety of areas, which may include Fort Slocum,
Battery Kemble, and Reservation 339. This project is critical to helping
preserve Washington, DC’s tree canopy and stormwater capturing vegetation while
improving trail conditions for existing formalized trails.

Daily safety briefings will prepare crew members to work confidently in outdoor
settings. Benefits include compensation, professional development, green job
exploration, SCA gear, and alumni support upon program completion, providing a
strong foundation for careers in conservation.

Requirements

• Ability to attend and complete 2-week overnight Leader Training with lodging, meals, and time paid by SCA during first 2 weeks of program
• 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 have the ability to legally work in the US
• Must be able to meet SCA’s criminal background check standards

Nice To Haves

• Experience working outdoors
• experience working with youth or young adults, teaching, leading, or environmental education
• Experience working in a team
• open to learning new skills
• communication
• experience with project work such as trail maintenance, invasive plant removal, or similar a plus
• SCA Driver Qualifications (not required): Must be a minimum of 21 years of age
• Must have a valid driver’s license for 3+ years and pass SCA Motor Vehicle Report standards

Responsibilities

• supports the Crew Leader in guiding daily field work
• fostering teamwork
• modeling professionalism and safe work practices
• assists with leading conservation projects
• training crew members in trail work, tool use, and general park maintenance
• supporting daily safety briefings
• serves as a peer mentor
• helps with field logistics and communication
• may assist with transporting crew members to project sites upon completing required SCA driving qualifications

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: No Education Listed