Field Leader - 2027 Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps - State College Adult Crew

Student Conservation Association•State College, PA

13d•Onsite

About The Position

The Student Conservation Association, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, is hiring Summer Crew Leaders for the 2027 Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps field season. Crew Leaders train, supervise, and administer a crew of five young adults engaged in conservation projects, career development, and environmental education. Leaders work closely with SCA and DCNR staff to support a successful and meaningful season. The State College crew will complete conservation and infrastructure projects at regional state parks and forests, including Penn-Roosevelt, Whipple Dam, Greenwood Furnace, Poe Paddy, Poe Valley, Reeds Gap, R.B. Winter, and Ravensburg state parks, and Bald Eagle State Forest. The position runs June 7 through August 10, 2027. Full participation in mandatory paid leader training is required. Training includes virtual sessions and an in-person period requiring travel and an overnight stay at the training site; transportation, lodging, and meals are provided. 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. Crew Leaders may need to complete tasks outside those hours. Compensation is $19.50 per hour. Projects may include facility maintenance and building rehabilitation; construction of bridges, stairs, picnic tables, pavilions, and masonry features; trail maintenance and construction; habitat restoration and invasive-species treatment; tree planting and landscaping; and fencing and boundary-line maintenance. Leaders may also maintain tools, equipment, PPE, and other crew gear.

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 toward shared goals.
Ability to understand verbal and/or written communication.
Must be dependable, flexible, and cooperative; take initiative; accept leadership and supervisory authority; and complete tasks appropriately and on time.
Ability to perform physically demanding service outdoors in all conditions, including standing or remaining on one's feet for up to eight hours per day.
Ability 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.
Ability to lift objects weighing up to 40 pounds.
Ability to swing hand tools such as shovels, pick mattocks, and McLeods for six or more hours per day.
Ability to perform duties in extreme heat, cold, rain, and other weather conditions.
Ability to communicate the presence of safety hazards through visual and auditory means.
Must model safe and professional behavior, 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 is strongly preferred.
Experience with 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 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 PPE, water coolers, and project materials, and run errands to restock supplies as needed.