2026 Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps - Harrisburg Adult Crew

Student Conservation Association•Swatara Township, PA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Student Conservation Association, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), is seeking outgoing individuals to join the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps. This program offers paid work experience, job training, and educational opportunities. Corps members will join a team of young adults to complete conservation and infrastructure projects on Pennsylvania’s public lands. Throughout the season, members will also participate in education and training activities related to resource management, environmental education, and recreation. Project locations may include state parks and nature preserves. The program runs from August 24th, 2026, to November 25th, 2026. Crew members will meet daily in Harrisburg and travel to work locations together, with commutes potentially being an hour or more each way, which is included in the workday. Efforts will be made to accommodate safe indoor work during inclement weather, but crew members may be called off during extreme weather, meaning 40 hours per week is not guaranteed.

Requirements

Ages 18+ at the start of the program.
Willingness to conduct physically demanding work in all outdoor conditions.
Hike up to 4 miles per day.
Regularly lift/carry up to 40 pounds.
Swing hand tools such as shovels, pick mattocks and McLeods for 6+ hours per day.
Able to work effectively with other team members to achieve goals and contribute to team success.
Must be able to model safe and professional behavior at all times including wearing all appropriate personal protective equipment - PPE.
Must have housing in or near the program city (45 Minutes or less drive to meeting location).
Must have reliable transportation to and from crew meeting location.
Must be a resident of Pennsylvania.
Willing/able to complete overnight hitches during the season, spending 3 - 5 days away from home with the crew (2 overnight hitches per season, plus Corps Member Training and All Corps Gathering).

Nice To Haves

An interest in conservation careers, trade skills, or a related field is highly encouraged.
Individuals over 21 with a clean driving record will be required to drive an SCA vehicle at times during the field season.

Responsibilities

Facility maintenance projects including: painting, staining, light carpentry, plumbing, siding, other building rehabilitation and upkeep.
Construction projects such as: bridges, stairs, picnic tables, pavilions, and masonry.
Trail maintenance and construction including: implementing water management techniques, brushing, blazing, reroutes.
Habitat Restoration including: invasive species identification and treatments, herbicide applications.
Tree Planting, and other general landscaping.
Fencing and Boundary Line Maintenance.
Other work as assigned.
Utilization of Three Job Shadow Days (participation encouraged).