Field Leader - Gap Year Young Adult Conservation Leadership Corp 2026

Student Conservation Association•River Forest, IL

17d•$940

About The Position

The Student Conservation Association (SCA), America’s #1 conservation service organization seeks qualified applicants to lead, educate, and inspire high school students and adult crew members for the Gap Year internship in partnership with the Forest Preserves of Cook County. The first 5 weeks (June-July) of the program involves leading young adults and a team of ten high school youth in conservation work and environmental education at a local nature center through the Chicago Conservation Leadership Program. In the second part of the program (August 10 – October 30), you will co-lead five young adults, who acted as assistant crew leaders during the summer, in a deeper experience to gain advanced ecological restoration skills, certifications, and practice that allow one to pursue a career in restoration and land management. The work the program does ensures healthy land for people, native plants, and wildlife in the oldest and largest Forest Preserve in the United States. The position provides excellent professional networking and professional development opportunities.

Requirements

Experience working with others in a team setting to accomplish project goals is preferred
Ability to perform manual, physical labor for up to 8 hours per day, exposed to the elements and most occasionally lift and/or move 40 pounds or more in all weather conditions
Must be able to attend both SCA National and Local Crew Leader training
Must be a minimum of 21 years of age
Must have 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
Ability to obtain a State of Illinois general standards herbicide license or be willing to obtain one by no later than program start (June 30th)

Nice To Haves

Experience teaching or conducting environmental education activities is a plus
Experience with conservation work skills or related skills preferred – i.e. trail maintenance, trail construction, habitat restoration, chainsaw, carpentry, landscaping, and gardening
Knowledge of mid-western ecology, or knowledge of the forest preserves is a big plus

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 environmental stewardship
Act as a Project Manager, by communicating with the Forest Preserves, ensuring successful and timely completion of work projects, and upholding a positive representation of SCA
Perform tasks as a Program Administrator, by organizing logistics, completing documentation, tracking and managing needed tools and supplies, managing a budget, and communicating with SCA staff
Co-lead, coordinate, supervise, transport, and mentor both high school youth and young adults for the summer and fall season for an 18-week experience.
Complete an assortment of hands-on conservation and ecological restoration projects within different areas of the Forest Preserves of Cook County.
Communicate with Forest Preserve staff to complete and track projects and training and ensure work is completed successfully following best management practices.
Administrative and reporting duties are required such as data management, photo documentation, and participant assessments.
Crew leaders will also be expected to facilitate a provided environmental education curriculum for participants as well as complete final reports.
Member transportation to and from worksite
Online reporting