Field Leader - 2027 Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps - Harrisburg Adult Crew

Student Conservation Association•Harrisburg, 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. Project Leaders train, supervise, mentor, and administer a crew of four young adults completing 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 Harrisburg region. Possible sites include Gifford Pinchot State Park, Pine Grove Furnace State Park, Memorial Lake State Park, Codorus State Park, Colonel Denning State Park, Tuscarora Forest District, Kings Gap State Park, Little Buffalo State Park, Swatara State Park, Susquehanna Riverlands State Park, Cove Mountain Preserve, and other community partners and organizations. 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 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 maintenance and rehabilitation; construction of bridges, stairs, picnic tables, pavilions, and masonry; trail maintenance and construction; habitat restoration and herbicide application; tree planting and landscaping; and fencing and boundary-line maintenance.

Requirements

Be at least 21 years old.
Be legally authorized to work in the United States.
Have a valid driver’s license for at least three years and an MVR that meets SCA standards.
Meet SCA criminal background check standards.
Have at least one year of leadership, teaching, or supervisory experience.
Develop and maintain professional relationships with staff, crew leaders, and other members, and work effectively with team members to achieve goals.
Understand verbal and/or written communication.
Be dependable, flexible, and cooperative; take initiative; accept leadership and supervisory authority; and complete tasks appropriately and on time.
Be able to perform physically demanding work outdoors in all conditions, including standing or remaining on foot for up to eight hours per day.
Be able to regularly walk or hike two miles on uneven, uphill, or downhill terrain and hike up to five miles, often carrying a backpack, tools, and equipment.
Be able to lift objects weighing up to 40 pounds.
Be able to swing hand tools such as shovels, pick mattocks, and McLeods for six or more hours per day.
Be able to perform duties in all weather conditions, including extreme heat, cold, and rain.
Be able to communicate the presence of safety hazards through visual and auditory means.
Model safe and professional behavior, including wearing 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 flow of work and keep crew members on task.
Conduct morning safety briefings and project debriefings.
Oversee crew members’ technical conservation training directly or through agency partners.
Mentor 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 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.