Field Leader - 2027 Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps - Pittsburgh Adult Crew

Student Conservation Association•Pittsburgh, PA

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Student Conservation Association, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, seeks Project Leaders for the 2027 Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps field season. Leaders train, supervise, 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 provide a successful and meaningful season. This is a full-time contract position at sites throughout the Pittsburgh region, including state parks and community partner locations. The position runs February 22 through November 26, 2027. Leader training is February 22–March 5, with weekends off; 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 building rehabilitation; construction of bridges, stairs, picnic tables, pavilions, and masonry; trail maintenance and construction; habitat restoration and invasive-species treatment; tree planting and landscaping; and 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 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 and work effectively with team members.
Ability to understand verbal and/or written communication.
Dependable, flexible, and cooperative, with initiative to complete tasks without prompting.
Able to accept leadership and supervisory authority and complete tasks appropriately and on time.
Able to conduct physically demanding outdoor service in all conditions, including standing or remaining on feet for up to eight hours per day.
Able to regularly walk or hike on uneven terrain, uphill or downhill, for two miles, and hike up to five miles, 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 perform duties in extreme heat, cold, and rain.
Able to communicate the presence of safety hazards visually and audibly.
Must model safe and professional behavior and wear appropriate personal protective equipment.

Nice To Haves

Strong preference for experience mentoring or coaching youth or young adults ages 18–30.
Experience in conservation or related work 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 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.
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 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 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.
Lead or support conservation projects such as facility upkeep, construction, trail work, habitat restoration, tree planting, landscaping, and fencing.