2027 Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps - Greensburg Youth Crew

Student Conservation Association • Greensburg, PA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Student Conservation Association (SCA), in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), is seeking motivated, team-oriented high school students for its summer Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps program. Crew members work with a small peer team on hands-on trail, habitat, and facility projects on Pennsylvania public lands. Each crew is supervised by two trained adult crew leaders or one solo leader. Participants earn a paycheck, build practical job skills, and take part in environmental education and team-building activities connected to conservation, natural resource management, and outdoor recreation careers.

The program is based in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, and runs from June 28 through August 6, 2027, for six weeks. Members work Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with a 30-minute unpaid lunch break. Travel between the meeting location and worksites is part of the paid workday. The stated schedule is 37.5 hours per week, although hours are not guaranteed because severe or dangerous weather may result in an unpaid day off. During short periods of bad weather, crews move to safe or indoor work when possible.

Members must be ages 15–18 at the start of the program, current Pennsylvania residents, available for the full program, and live in or near the program city with reliable transportation to the daily meeting location. They must complete onboarding and receive field approval from SCA staff before the program begins. Members are expected to attend each workday, arrive on time and ready to work, with no more than three absences during the season; work cooperatively; follow crew leader and project partner instructions; contribute to a safe, respectful, welcoming crew; and follow SCA safety policies and procedures.

Housing is not provided. Crews meet each morning at a central location in the program city and travel together to worksites in an SCA vehicle. Crew leaders will provide meeting details to members and their parents or guardians before the season starts. SCA supplies tools, crew work shirts, and required safety equipment. Members must provide sturdy closed-toe work boots, long sturdy pants, weather-appropriate clothing, and a backpack or bag for personal items.

Work is field-based, and schedules and projects may change on short notice. Conditions may include severe weather, poor air quality, high heat and humidity, and natural hazards such as poisonous plants, ticks, mosquitoes, snakes, and other wildlife. Members must be able to perform outdoor manual work for a full workday in varied weather, remain alert and engaged, understand and follow safety procedures, manage any medical conditions and needed medications, wear required personal protective equipment, and manage stress or discomfort while seeking support when needed.

Requirements

• Be 15–18 years old at the start of the program.
• Be a current Pennsylvania resident.
• Be available for the full program, June 28–August 6, 2027.
• Live in or near the program city and have reliable transportation to and from the daily crew meeting location.
• Complete all onboarding requirements and receive field approval from SCA staff before the program begins.
• Attend every workday, arrive on time and ready to work, and have no more than three absences for the season.
• Work as a team, follow instructions from crew leaders and project partners, and help maintain a safe, respectful, and welcoming crew.
• Follow all SCA safety policies and procedures.
• Provide sturdy closed-toe work boots, long sturdy pants, weather-appropriate clothing, and a backpack or bag for personal items.
• Be able to perform manual outdoor project work for a full workday in varied weather conditions.
• Be able to stay alert and engaged, follow safety policies, manage known medical conditions and needed medications, wear required personal protective equipment, and manage emotions and reactions when stressed or uncomfortable.

Responsibilities

• Complete trail maintenance and construction projects, including water management, brushing, blazing, and reroutes.
• Support habitat restoration, including identifying and removing invasive species, collecting data, and planting trees.
• Perform facility maintenance such as painting, staining, and basic carpentry.
• Work on construction projects such as picnic tables, stairs, and signs.
• Maintain fencing and boundary lines.
• Participate in environmental education sessions and team-building activities.
• Help track project accomplishments and data, and complete end-of-program feedback surveys.
• Attend workdays on time, work cooperatively, follow instructions, and comply with SCA safety policies and procedures.

Benefits

• Pay of $17.31 per hour (approximately $649 per week before taxes), paid biweekly.
• Practical job skills and experience.
• Environmental education and team-building activities connected to conservation, natural resource management, and outdoor recreation careers.
• SCA-provided tools, crew work shirts, and required safety equipment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed