Field Leader - 2027 Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps Altoona Adult Crew

Student Conservation Association•Altoona, PA

10d•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 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 based at various sites throughout the Altoona region, including state parks, state forests, 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 crew members are in the field March 15–November 18. During field season, 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.

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.
Able to work effectively with others to achieve goals and contribute to team success.
Able to understand verbal and/or written communication.
Must be dependable, flexible, and cooperative.
Able to take initiative and complete tasks without prompting.
Able to accept leadership and supervisory authority and complete tasks appropriately and on time.
Able to perform physically demanding work outdoors in all conditions, including standing or being on feet for up to eight hours per day.
Able to regularly walk or hike two miles on uneven terrain, including uphill and downhill, and hike up to five miles while often carrying a backpack, tools, and equipment.
Able to lift objects weighing up to 40 pounds.
Able to swing hand tools such as shovels, pick mattocks, and McLeods for six or more hours per day.
Able to work in extreme heat, cold, and rain.
Able to communicate the presence of safety hazards visually and auditorily.
Must model safe, professional behavior and wear appropriate personal protective equipment.

Nice To Haves

Experience mentoring or coaching youth or young adults ages 18–30.
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 workflow and keep crew members on task.
Conduct morning safety briefings and project debriefings.
Oversee 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 back 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 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 work such as facility upkeep, construction, trail work, habitat restoration, tree planting, landscaping, and fencing.