2027 Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps - Altoona Youth Crew

Student Conservation Association • Altoona, PA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Student Conservation Association (SCA), in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), is looking for motivated, team-oriented high school students to join the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps this summer. Crew members work alongside a small team of peers to make a real, hands-on difference on Pennsylvania’s public lands, completing trail, habitat, and facility projects in state parks and forests. Each crew is supervised by two trained adult crew leaders or a solo leader. Along the way, members earn a paycheck, build practical job skills, and take part in environmental education and team-building activities that connect their work to careers in conservation, natural resource management, and outdoor recreation.

Requirements

• Ages 15–18 at the start of the program
• Current Pennsylvania resident
• Available for the full program, June 28 – August 6
• Lives in or near the program city, with reliable transportation to and from the daily crew meeting location
• Completes all onboarding requirements and receives field approval from SCA staff before the program begins
• Attend every workday, arriving on time and ready to work (no more than 3 absences for the season)
• Work as a team to complete daily tasks and projects, even as routines, weather, and conditions change
• Follow instructions from crew leaders and project partners
• Bring a positive attitude and strong work ethic, and help keep the crew a safe, respectful, and welcoming place for everyone
• Follow all SCA safety policies and procedures
• Able to do manual, physical project work outdoors for a full workday in a variety of weather conditions
• Able to stay alert and engaged throughout the program day
• Able to understand and follow safety policies, and to act in ways that keep yourself and others safe
• Able to manage known medical conditions during the workday, including carrying any needed medications (e.g., an inhaler or EpiPen)
• Able to wear all required personal protective equipment, such as safety glasses, hard hats, gloves, approved face masks, and sturdy footwear
• Able to manage emotions and reactions when stressed or uncomfortable, and to ask for support when needed

Responsibilities

• Trail maintenance and construction, including water management, brushing, blazing, and reroutes
• Habitat restoration, including invasive species identification and removal, data collection, and tree planting
• Facility maintenance, including painting, staining, and basic carpentry
• Building projects such as picnic tables, stairs, and signs
• Fencing and boundary line maintenance
• Take an active part in environmental education sessions and team-building activities
• Help track project accomplishments and data, and complete end-of-program feedback surveys

Benefits

• Paycheck
• Build practical job skills
• Environmental education and team-building activities
• All tools, crew work shirts, and required safety equipment provided

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED