Field Leader - 2027 Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps - Meadville Adult Crew

Student Conservation Association•Meadville, 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. Each leader trains, supervises, and administers a crew of four young adults as they complete conservation projects and participate in career development and environmental education. Leaders work closely with SCA and DCNR staff to support a successful and meaningful season. This full-time contract position works at various sites throughout the Meadville region, potentially including Pymatuning State Park, MK Goddard State Park, Oil Creek State Park, Cornplanter Forest District, Presque Isle State Park, Clear Creek State Forest, and other community partners and organizations. The position runs 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. Conservation work may include facility upkeep and rehabilitation, construction, trail maintenance and construction, habitat restoration, tree planting, landscaping, fencing, and boundary-line maintenance.

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 and work effectively with team members to achieve shared goals.
Ability to understand verbal and/or written communication.
Must be dependable, flexible, and cooperative.
Ability to take initiative, accept leadership and supervisory authority, and complete tasks appropriately and on time.
Ability to perform physically demanding outdoor work in all conditions, including standing or remaining on one’s feet for up to eight hours per day.
Ability to regularly walk or hike on uneven, uphill, or downhill terrain for two miles and hike up to five miles, often while 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 perform duties 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 schedule and keep crew members on task.
Conduct morning safety briefings and project debriefings.
Oversee technical conservation-work training, directly or through agency partners.
Mentor crew members’ personal and professional development in accordance 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 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 for the duration of the season.
Maintain the crew tool cache, including sharpening hand tools and maintaining chainsaws or other power tools.
Manage crew gear such as PPE, water coolers, and project materials, including running errands to restock supplies.