Field Leader - Cleveland Young Tree Care Team

Student Conservation Association • Cleveland, OH

11h

About The Position

The Student Conservation Association (SCA) is the largest provider of hands-on
environmental conservation programs for youth and adults. Program participants
protect and restore national parks, national forests, wildlife refuges, marine
sanctuaries, cultural landmarks, and community green spaces across the country.
SCA’s Urban Green program advances urban climate resilience by protecting,
restoring and enhancing public lands and waters as well as natural, cultural,
and historical resources across the United States. Service activities focus
critical stewardship projects that improve and protect at-risk ecosystems and
resources, especially in underserved urban communities.
Project Location: Community Tree Planting sites in and around Cleveland
The Cleveland Tree Care Team Leader will lead team projects on the ground and
complete urban and community forestry work alongside team members. In addition,
the leader will track and manage the crew schedule and budget, and complete
weekly administrative duties including submitting output logs, reporting
incidents, checking in with SCA Program staff, approving member timecards, and
managing the SCA team vehicle. The team leader has a unique opportunity to
advance community forestry and environmental justice in Cleveland, while working
to build the next generation of conservation leaders.
SCA's Cleveland Tree Care Team works together to advance environmental justice
by maintaining Cleveland's urban forest in low-canopy neighborhoods. The team is
partnering with community groups that have identified priority tree care needs,
including watering, young tree training and pruning, mulching, staking, and
fencing, invasive plant removal, general site maintenance, and tracking. In
addition, the crew will engage with the local community and partner
organizations by supporting related community tree care projects, sharing
information about the benefits trees provide, and additional community
engagement projects centered on collaboration, learning, and the urban forest.
The Cleveland Tree Care Team will consist of 3 young adult members (18 years of
age or older) and 1 Team Leader. Members meet at a centralized location and are
transported in an SCA vehicle to their work sites each day by the Team Leader.
The team will work together through a variety of weather conditions during their
season. Members should feel able to perform physical labor outdoors for up to 8
hours per day, and lift and carry 50 lbs or more occasionally.
In addition to regular project work with partners in Cleveland, this Tree Care
team will have the opportunity to participate formal and informal trainings and
events in northeast Ohio and online.
Specifically, the Field Leader will:
Act as a Crew Supervisor, by facilitating teamwork, managing field-based
tasks, and guiding crew dynamics;
Serve as an Advisor, by training members in technical conservation work
skills, mentoring personal and professional development, and teaching
environmental stewardship;
Act as a Project Manager, by communicating with agency park partners,
ensuring successful and timely completion of work projects, and upholding a
positive representation of SCA; 
Perform tasks as a Program Administrator, by organizing logistics, completing
documentation, managing a budget, and communicating with SCA staff.

Requirements

• YOUTH EXPERIENCE: Documented experience with young adults (ages 18-25) in an educational, mentorship, or conservation capacity
• CONSERVATION EXPERIENCE: Experience with hands-on outdoor conservation work, including but not limited to landscaping, trailbuilding, tree care, or similar
• DRIVING & BACKGROUND CHECK: Must have a valid driver’s license for 3 or more years and meet SCA’s MVR and criminal background check standards
• ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Minimum age of 21; legally authorized to work in the U.S.; able to attend mandatory SCA training sessions including possible out of town leadership training
• CERTIFICATION: CPR certification & Wilderness First Aid or approved 16-hour First Aid course equivalent required.

Responsibilities

• CREW SUPERVISION AND SAFETY: Supervise crew members during daily tasks, maintaining a physically and emotionally safe environment as per SCA’s Field Guide
• WORK PROJECT MANAGEMENT: Lead and oversee work projects (e.g., watering, habitat restoration), managing tool maintenance, equipment logistics, scheduling, and timely completion
• TEAM OPERATIONS & LOGISTICS: Coordinate food planning, transportation, tool logistics, and equipment for efficient team operations in collaboration with SCA Program staff
• RELATIONSHIP & COMMUNICATION MANAGEMENT: Build and maintain positive relationships with agency partners, handling all program logistics and representing SCA professionally
• TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT: Provide training in conservation skills, tool usage, leadership, environmental stewardship, and personal development; mentor team members in field management as applicable
• RISK MANAGEMENT: Assess and actively manage risks to ensure a safe work environment
• ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION: Plan and conduct educational sessions aligned with SCA’s Conservation Curriculum to enhance environmental understanding and stewardship
• ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES: Manage program documentation, including pre- and post-program paperwork, logs, incident reports, equipment inventories, and budget reconciliation. Administrative tasks will require approximately 5 hours per week outside of the crew workday
• PROGRAM REPRESENTATION: Professionally represent SCA in all interactions with agency partners, crew members, parents, and the community
• Other duties as needed to support crew needs and project objectives.

Benefits

• Salary: $850/week living allowance (pre-tax)
• SCA warm weather uniform package
• Four (4) days of paid time off (PTO) during the field season (June 8 - September 15)
• Access to a national network of professional resources and alumni peer group
• Training - SCA Field Leader Training, Wilderness First Aid, ongoing professional development training and mentorship, urban forestry training and option to seek relevant certifications, value $2000+
• All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes.

What This Job Offers

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