Field Leader - Midwest Roving Corps Team Leader

Student Conservation Association • St. Louis, MO

4h • Hybrid

About The Position

The 2026 Midwest NPS/USFS Team will consist of four young adults working with USFS partners at Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, WI and NPS partners at Gateway Arch National Park, MO. Team members must be flexible and adaptive, as projects and living sites will change frequently. Projects can range from building and improving trails to placing paver blocks in urban areas. Potential projects include trail reroutes, building box steps, brushing trails, mapping wilderness areas, setting paver blocks, and landscaping. The program begins with field-based training, potentially at a separate site with other SCA crews, focusing on essential skills like risk management and hands-on tool training. Season projects involve using hand tools and occasionally small equipment. Fieldwork is physically and mentally demanding, with periods of camping at primitive sites with limited amenities or cell service, and indoor housing when working in St. Louis. The crew will comprise 3 young adult members (18+) and 1 Project Leader, with access to one SCA vehicle for transportation.

Requirements

• Experience working with youth or young adults, teaching, or environmental education a plus
• Strong interpersonal skills and experience managing group dynamics
• Experience with outdoor conservation work skills or related skills preferred – i.e. trail maintenance, trail construction, habitat restoration, chainsaw, carpentry, landscaping, or gardening
• Experience with various types of equipment in a safe and efficient manner (hand tools, power tools, two-way radio, etc.)
• Ability to perform manual, physical labor for up to 10 hours per day, exposed to the elements, and must occasionally lift and/or move 40 pounds or more
• Wilderness First Aid certification, or ability to obtain a Wilderness First Aid certification before start of season
• Must be able to attend Crew Leader training, which may take place at a different location than where team will be based throughout the season
• 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.
• Able to understand, adhere to, and communicate with others regarding hazards, procedures, and safety policies.
• 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 safety glasses, hard hats, gloves, N95 or other approved face mask or shield, and appropriate footwear.
• 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.
• Able to maintain adequate nutrition and hydration throughout program time.
• Able to create an appropriate learning environment for members to learn new skills and develop healthy relationships.
• Able to maintain and support professional, healthy, and appropriate relationships with members, agency partners, peers, and SCA staff.
• Able to facilitate group processes including group decision-making, hazard analyses, conflict management.
• Able to communicate with program supervisor regarding crew, equipment, and programmatic needs.
• Able to support members through times of personal stress and discomfort by addressing physical and emotional needs within the scope of training and certification.
• Able to assess members' skill level, reliability, and judgment in order to adjust supervision level according to the progress of the crew.
• Able to comprehend and uphold all SCA Policies and Procedures throughout the position after successfully completing all SCA Leader online and in-person trainings.
• Able to respond appropriately and in line with SCA incident management protocols in times of high stress, such as when encountering large and/or potentially hazardous animals, severe weather, medical emergency, or other incident.
• Able to complete various administrative tasks including managing a budget, arranging accommodations, retaining receipts and reconciling purchases, communicating with agency contact, etc., as applicable to the position.
• Able to provide evidence of all required certifications.
• If using prescription medications, able to self-administer medications by following the prescribed dosage, usage, and timing without supervisor assistance. If prescription medication is administered via injection, able to self-administer the injection.
• Able to independently carry a backpacking pack weighing approximately 30% of body weight over varied, loose, inclined terrain for up to a maximum of 15 miles per day with adequate breaks.
• Able to lift a backpacking pack weighing approximately 30% of body weight with minimal assistance from others.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with federal agency partners is a 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 agency park partners, 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, managing a budget, and communicating with SCA staff.
• Work collaboratively with a team of four others to complete priority projects determined by NPS partner staff.
• Work variable hours, possible long days and possible weekends, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, in varying weather conditions, and under physically demanding circumstances.
• Use technical equipment such as hand or power tools.
• Plan additional professional development opportunities for the team, as time and opportunity allows.

Benefits

• Living allowance: $850/week living allowance (pre-tax)
• Up to $1,000 travel stipend, to be used for travel to/from leader training and site location
• Budget for meals during work days (managed by leader)
• SCA trails training
• Crew Leader Training
• Ongoing professional development training

What This Job Offers

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