Field Leader - 2027 Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps - Dubois Adult Crew

Student Conservation Association•DuBois, PA

13d•Onsite

About The Position

The Student Conservation Association, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, is hiring Project Leaders for the 2027 Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps field season. Project Leaders train, supervise, and administer a crew of four young adults engaged in conservation projects, career development, and environmental education. Leaders work closely with SCA and DCNR staff to support a successful and meaningful season. The full-time contract position serves sites throughout the Dubois region, including state parks and forests and community partners. The position runs from February 22 through November 26, 2027. Leader training is February 22–March 5, with weekends off; leader preparation is March 8–12; and members are in the field March 15–November 18. The crew schedule is 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 maintenance 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 held 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.
Able to develop and maintain professional relationships with staff, crew leaders, and members and work effectively as part of a team.
Able to understand verbal and/or written communication.
Dependable, flexible, and cooperative, with initiative to complete tasks without prompting.
Able to accept leadership and supervisory authority and complete tasks appropriately and on time.
Able to perform physically demanding outdoor service in all conditions, including standing or remaining on feet for up to eight hours per day; regularly walking or hiking two miles on uneven, uphill, or downhill terrain; hiking up to five miles, often carrying a backpack, tools, and equipment; lifting up to 40 pounds; and swinging hand tools for six or more hours per day.
Able to work in extreme heat, cold, and rain.
Able to communicate safety hazards through visual and auditory means.
Must model safe and professional behavior and wear appropriate personal protective equipment.

Nice To Haves

Strong preference for experience mentoring or coaching youth or young adults ages 18–30.
Experience with conservation or related work 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 crew members’ 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 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.
Collaborate 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 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.
Perform assigned conservation work, which may include facility upkeep, construction, trail work, habitat restoration, planting, landscaping, and fencing.