Field Leader - 2027 Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps Altoona Adult Crew

Student Conservation Association•Altoona, PA

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Student Conservation Association (SCA), in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), is seeking Project Leaders for the 2027 Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps field season. Project Leaders train, supervise, and administer a crew of four young adults working on conservation projects, career development, and environmental education. They work closely with SCA and DCNR staff to support a successful and meaningful season. This is a full-time contract position serving various sites throughout the Altoona region, including state parks, state forests, and community partner locations. The position runs from February 22, 2027, through November 26, 2027. Leader training is February 22–March 5, with weekends off; leader preparation week is March 8–12; and crew members are in the field March 15–November 18. Crew hours are Monday through Wednesday, 7:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., and Thursday, 7:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Leaders may need to complete tasks outside those hours. Compensation is $850 per week, with optional employee-sponsored health, dental, vision, and retirement benefits. Conservation work may include facility upkeep and rehabilitation; construction of bridges, stairs, picnic tables, pavilions, and masonry projects; trail maintenance and construction; habitat restoration and herbicide application; tree planting and landscaping; and fencing and boundary-line maintenance. Other work may be assigned.

Requirements

Must be at least 21 years old.
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
Must have a valid driver’s license for at least three years and an MVR that meets SCA standards.
Must meet SCA criminal background check standards.
At least one year of leadership, teaching, or supervisory experience.
Ability to develop and maintain professional relationships with staff, crew leaders, and other members, and work effectively with team members to achieve goals.
Ability to understand verbal and/or written communication.
Must be dependable, flexible, and cooperative.
Ability to take initiative and complete tasks without prompting.
Ability to accept leadership and supervisory authority and complete tasks appropriately and in a timely manner.
Ability to perform physically demanding service outdoors in all conditions, including standing or remaining on one’s feet for up to eight hours per day.
Ability to regularly walk or hike two miles on uneven terrain, including uphill or downhill, and hike up to five miles, often carrying a backpack, tools, and equipment.
Ability to lift objects weighing up to 40 pounds.
Ability to swing hand tools such as shovels, pick mattocks, and McLeods for six or more hours per day.
Ability to work in all weather conditions, including extreme heat, cold, and rain.
Ability to communicate the presence of safety hazards through visual and auditory means.
Must model safe and professional behavior, including wearing appropriate personal protective equipment.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with youth or young adults ages 18–30 in a mentoring or coaching capacity is strongly preferred.
Experience with conservation work or related skills, such as trail maintenance, trail construction, habitat restoration, carpentry, landscaping, or gardening.
Strong communication and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

Manage the daily flow of crew work and keep members on task.
Conduct morning safety briefings and project debriefings.
Oversee members’ technical conservation training, directly or through agency partners.
Mentor members’ personal and professional development in line with program standards.
Monitor and guide crew dynamics to promote a healthy crew culture.
Encourage members to participate in job shadows, networking, and professional development.
Coordinate the crew project schedule with agency partners.
Conduct pre-project site visits in person or virtually.
Monitor project progress and report to agency partners.
Work with agency staff to adjust plans when projects finish early or are delayed.
Coordinate environmental education opportunities throughout the season.
Track monthly expenses and maintain receipts.
Track program accomplishments by completing hitch reports on time.
Manage attendance and member timecards.
Coordinate logistics for overnight hitches and trainings.
Manage the crew vehicle throughout the season.
Maintain the crew tool cache, including sharpening hand tools and maintaining chainsaws or other power tools.
Manage crew gear, including PPE, water coolers, and project materials, and run errands to restock supplies.