Field Leader - 2027 Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps - Williamsport Adult Crew

Student Conservation Association•Williamsport, PA

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Student Conservation Association, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), is hiring Project Leaders for the 2027 Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps field season. A Project Leader trains, supervises, and administers 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 crew season. Work takes place at various sites throughout the Williamsport region, including state forests, parks, the Tioga Forest District, and community partner organizations. The position runs February 22 through November 26, 2027, with leader training from February 22 to March 5 (weekends off), leader preparation from March 8 to March 12, and crew fieldwork from March 15 to November 18. During the field season, crew hours are Monday through Wednesday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Leaders may need to complete tasks outside those hours. This is a full-time contract position. Compensation is $850 per week, with optional employee-sponsored health, dental, vision, and retirement benefits. Conservation work may include facility upkeep and rehabilitation, construction, trail maintenance and construction, habitat restoration, tree planting and landscaping, fencing, and boundary-line maintenance.

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 for at least three years and an MVR that meets SCA standards.
Must meet SCA criminal background check standards.
Must have at least one year of leadership, teaching, or supervisory experience.
Must be able to develop and maintain professional relationships with staff, crew leaders, and other members.
Must be able to work effectively with others to achieve goals and contribute to team success.
Must understand verbal and/or written communication.
Must be dependable, flexible, and cooperative.
Must take initiative to complete tasks without prompting, accept leadership and supervisory authority, and complete tasks appropriately and on time.
Must be able to conduct physically demanding service in all outdoor conditions, including standing or remaining on one's feet for up to eight hours per day.
Must be able to regularly walk or hike two miles on uneven, uphill, or downhill terrain and hike up to five miles, often while carrying a backpack, tools, and equipment.
Must be able to lift objects weighing up to 40 pounds and swing hand tools such as shovels, pick mattocks, and McLeods for six or more hours per day.
Must be able to perform duties in all weather conditions, including extreme heat, cold, and rain.
Must be able to communicate the presence of safety hazards visually and audibly.
Must model safe and professional behavior at all times, 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, and gardening.
Strong communication and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

Manage the daily flow of crew work and keep crew members on task.
Conduct morning safety briefings and project debriefings.
Oversee members' technical conservation training, 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 through timely completion of hitch reports.
Manage attendance and member timecards.
Coordinate logistics for overnight hitches and trainings.
Manage the crew vehicle for the duration of 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.