Field Leader - 2026 New Hampshire Conservation Corps

Student Conservation Association • Concord, MA

3d • $800 • Onsite

About The Position

The SCA NH Conservation Corps Project Leaders (2) plays a crucial role in the success of the conservation program, working closely with the Trail & Program Operations Specialist and to train, supervise, and support three field crews of corps members completing technical trail projects, habitat restoration and visitor-use structure construction throughout New Hampshire. SCA NH Corps crews use traditional trail skills, carpentry skills, restoration techniques, and physical labor to complete an array of projects while camping on 11-day hitches. Typical projects include trail construction & maintenance, rock stairs, carpentry, bridge construction, impacted site restoration, invasive vegetation removal and historic preservation. The program works in partnership with New Hampshire State Parks and AmeriCorps and serves throughout the state including the White Mountain National Forest. The Project Leader is largely a field-based position spending approximately 80% of time traveling during the conservation service season to project sites.

Requirements

• 1-2 years prior experience in supervising young adults in an outdoor setting.
• Previous trail construction experience and knowledge.
• Camping, hiking, and backcountry experience.
• Ability to perform manual, physical labor for up to 10 hours per day, exposed to the elements, and lift and/or move 60+ pounds.
• Ability to camp and hike for extended periods of time, up to 11-days.
• Ability to access remote work locations and travel over rough, steep, & rocky terrain.
• Experience/certification with chainsaw required – ability to recertify during the position.
• Strong communication, leadership skills and strong work ethic are required.
• Self-starter, ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Must understand, enact and uphold project, crew community, basecamp, vehicle, and additional safety standards set through SCA’s policies
• 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.
• Able to self-regulate or co-regulate emotions and actions when distressed or uncomfortable, with or without the support of others.
• Have working knowledge of safely operating power and hand-tools.
• Must be a minimum of 21 years of age.
• Must have the ability to legally work in the US.
• Must have a valid driver’s license for 3+ years and MVR that meets SCA standards.
• Ability to meet SCA’s criminal background check standards.
• Successfully complete a Health Screening Questionnaire before the position start date.
• Must have personal vehicle, mileage reimbursement available for work-related travel.

Nice To Haves

• USFS Thinking Sawyer B Level Chainsaw Certification.
• Experience/certifications with rigging/Griphoist preferred; ability to certify during the position.
• Wilderness First Responder and CPR certification a plus—ability to recert through program.
• Backcountry experience
• Experience working and/or living in community settings.
• Trailer Driving Experience

Responsibilities

• Facilitate team operations: tools & equipment, vehicles, worksite management, basecamp.
• Actively manage group dynamics and corps members’ well-being in remote environments and at the Spruce Pond Camp program site.
• Actively manage project/member risk to maintain a safe work environment.
• Supervise and assist the work skills training of corps members.
• Manage the quality & technique of project outcomes.
• 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 Trail & Program Operations Specialist in budget management and reconciliation.
• Represent SCA in a positive manner.
• Regular travel to work locations to support projects and camp with crews.

Benefits

• Housing & utilities provided – private rustic cabin with wood stove. Wi-fi access, garden space, short walk to program lodge with all amenities.
• Food and meals provided (during work and off days), full access to commercial kitchen.
• PTO
• Paid Holidays
• Optional Employee Sponsored Benefits (Health, Dental, Vision, Retirement)
• Cell Phone Reimbursement ($45/month)
• NH State Parks day-use pass
• Trainings & professional development opportunities. Opportunity to recertify or attend select training courses.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed