Field Leader -2027 Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps - Southeast PA Adult Crew

Student Conservation Association•Philadelphia, PA

13d•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. Leaders work closely with SCA and DCNR staff to support a successful and meaningful season. This full-time contract position serves sites throughout the Greater Philadelphia region, including parks, preserves, and community partners across Southeast Pennsylvania. The position runs from February 22 through November 26, 2027. Leader training is scheduled for February 22–March 5, with weekends off; the preparation week is March 8–12; and members are in the field from March 15 through 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 maintenance and building rehabilitation; construction of bridges, stairs, picnic tables, pavilions, and masonry features; 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.
Ability to develop and maintain professional relationships with staff, crew leaders, and members, and work effectively with a team.
Ability to understand verbal and/or written communication.
Must be dependable, flexible, and cooperative; take initiative; accept leadership and supervisory authority; and complete tasks appropriately and on time.
Ability to perform physically demanding service in all outdoor 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 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 at all times, including wearing 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 skills, such as trail maintenance or construction, habitat restoration, carpentry, landscaping, or gardening.
Strong communication and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

Manage the daily flow of crew work and keep members on task.
Conduct morning safety briefings and project debriefings.
Oversee members’ training in technical conservation work, either 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.
Work with agency staff to adjust plans when projects are completed early or 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 throughout 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 when needed.