Field Leader - 2027 Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps - Wilkes-Barre Adult Crew

Student Conservation Association•Wilkes-Barre Township, PA

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Student Conservation Association (SCA), in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), is hiring 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 ensure a successful and meaningful season. This is a full-time contract position serving various sites throughout the Wilkes-Barre region, including state forests, parks, and community partner locations. The position runs from February 22 through November 26, 2027. Leader training is February 22–March 5, with weekends off; leader preparation week is March 8–12; and 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. The role includes supervising and mentoring crew members, coordinating conservation projects and environmental education, administering program records and logistics, and maintaining crew tools, equipment, and supplies. Projects may involve facility upkeep, construction, trail work, habitat restoration, tree planting, landscaping, and fencing. The position requires physically demanding outdoor work in varied weather and terrain.

Requirements

Must be at least 21 years of age.
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 to work effectively as part of a team.
Ability to understand verbal and/or written communication.
Must be dependable, flexible, cooperative, and able to take initiative, accept supervision, and complete tasks appropriately and on time.
Ability to perform physically demanding service in outdoor conditions, including standing or remaining on feet for up to eight hours per day.
Ability to regularly walk or hike two miles over uneven, uphill, or downhill terrain, 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.
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 work and keep crew members on task.
Conduct morning safety briefings and project debriefings.
Oversee training in technical conservation work, 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 take part in job shadows, networking, and professional development opportunities.
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 during 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.
Lead or support conservation projects that may include facility maintenance, construction, trail maintenance and construction, habitat restoration, tree planting, landscaping, fencing, and boundary-line maintenance.