Field Leader - 2027 Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps - Williamsport Adult Crew

Student Conservation Association•Williamsport, PA

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Student Conservation Association, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, is hiring Project Leaders for the 2027 Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps field season. Project Leaders train, supervise, and administer a crew of four young adults carrying out conservation projects, career development, and environmental education. They work closely with SCA and DCNR staff to provide a successful and meaningful season for their crews. This is a full-time contract position based at various sites throughout the Williamsport region. The position runs from February 22, 2027, 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. Work locations may include state forests, state parks, forest districts, and community partner sites in the Williamsport region. Conservation projects may involve facility maintenance and rehabilitation; construction of bridges, stairs, picnic tables, pavilions, and masonry; trail maintenance and construction; habitat restoration and herbicide applications; tree planting and landscaping; fencing and boundary maintenance; and other assigned work.

Requirements

Be at least 21 years of age.
Be legally authorized to work in the United States.
Have a valid driver’s license held for at least three years and a motor vehicle record meeting 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 as part of a team.
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 service outdoors in all conditions, including standing or remaining on your feet 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 while 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 at all times, including wearing appropriate personal protective equipment.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with youth or young adults ages 18–30 in a mentoring or coaching capacity.
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 crew schedule and keep members on task.
Conduct morning safety briefings and project debriefings.
Oversee members’ 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 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 throughout the season.
Maintain the crew tool cache, including sharpening hand tools and maintaining chainsaws or other power tools.
Manage crew gear, including personal protective equipment, water coolers, and project materials, and run errands to restock supplies.