Field Leader - Okanogan-Wenatchee NF Invasive & Restoration Crew

Student Conservation Association•Wenatchee, WA

7d•$850

About The Position

Experience the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest as a member of the SCA Okanogan-Wenatchee NF Invasive & Restoration Crew. The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest covers a large and diverse landscape, encompassing 3.8 million acres along the east slopes of the Cascade Range in Washington with headquarters in Wenatchee, Washington. This is a 4-person crew (one leader and three crew members) serving 14 weeks to conduct invasives surveys, invasives control, and native plant improvement projects. Crew members in these positions will qualify for AmeriCorps, the hosting forest will provide campgrounds or other suitable housing.

Requirements

Valid driver’s license (3+ years) and Motor Vehicle Record that meets SCA’s standards
Successfully complete a Health Screening Questionnaire before the position start date
Obtain a Wilderness First Responder Certification during training
Leadership experience in the outdoors (outdoor education, conservation work, or leading peer groups)
Must understand, enact and uphold project, crew community, basecamp, vehicle, and additional safety standards set through SCA’s policies
Perform manual, physical labor for up to 10 hours per day, hike 10+ miles in a day, exposed to the elements, and must occasionally lift and/or move 40 pounds or more
Camping, hiking, and backcountry experience
Work in challenging outdoor conditions, including extreme heat, extreme cold, high winds, and precipitation
Full engagement in all work projects and community activities
Commitment to mentorship, teamwork, learning, and problem-solving
Live and work in a multi-gendered, multi-cultural communal environment, sharing common spaces and communal meal settings each day
Must be a minimum of 21 years of age, and authorized to work in the US
Must be able to attend mandatory SCA Project Leader training: April, 2026.
Ability to meet SCA’s criminal background check standards.
Must be willing to live at remote housing location throughout season

Nice To Haves

Current Wilderness First Responder (WFR) Certification
Experience with invasive plants, habitat restoration, or conservation projects
Trailer Driving Experience

Responsibilities

Facilitate team operations: food planning/purchasing, tools, equipment, and vehicles for backcountry and front country hitches lasting 8 – 10 days.
Actively manage group dynamics and corps members’ well-being in remote environments and at the Indianola program base.
Actively manage project/member risk to maintain a safe work environment.
Supervise and assist the work skills training of corps members.
Promote leadership development within the team and evaluate success and potential.
Manage relationships with agency partners and work collaboratively with public land agencies on program logistics.
Ensure successful and timely completion of conservation service projects on public land.
Assist SCA Program Coordinator in budget management and reconciliation.
Represent SCA in a positive manner.
Leader for this crew will need to obtain their herbicide applicator license for Washington. SCA will facilitate the training and education for this license.
Actively manage supplies and logistics for your team.
Work vehicle management throughout the season.
Day-to-day budget management.
Complete pre and post-project paperwork and reporting requirements.
Complete member mid-season and end of season evaluations.
Manage basecamp function and organization.

Benefits

Pay: $850/week
Travel Costs: (Covered for leader training, up to $500 toward travel costs after training)
Phone stipend: $45/month
Meals: Provided all season
Gear: Group camping gear provided (tents, stoves, cooking supplies)
Uniform Package: Includes daypack, work shirts, water bladder and more!
You’ll also receive: Wilderness First Responder Training (completion of this certification is required for the position) Conservation work skills training, Herbicide applicator training, Defensive driver training Trailer driving training
Bear Safety
Defensive Drive Training
First Aid/CPR
Wilderness First Responder Training