2027 Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps - Philadelphia Youth Crew

Student Conservation Association • Philadelphia, 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 in Philadelphia. Crew members work with a small peer team on hands-on trail, habitat, and facility projects on Pennsylvania public lands. Crews are supervised by two trained adult crew leaders or a solo leader. Participants earn $17.31 per hour, build practical job skills, and take part in environmental education and team-building activities related to conservation, natural resource management, and outdoor recreation careers.

The program runs from June 28 through August 6, 2027, for six weeks. The weekly schedule is 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 when dangerous weather requires a crew to be called off for an unpaid day. Housing is not provided. Crews meet each morning at a central location in Philadelphia and travel together to worksites in an SCA vehicle.

Applicants must be ages 15–18 at the start of the program, current Pennsylvania residents, available for the full program, and live in or near Philadelphia with reliable transportation to the daily meeting location. They must complete onboarding requirements and receive field approval from SCA staff before the program begins. Members are expected to attend workdays, follow crew leader instructions and SCA safety policies, contribute to team projects, and help maintain a safe, respectful, and welcoming crew. SCA provides tools, crew work shirts, and required safety equipment. Members must provide sturdy closed-toe work boots, long sturdy pants, weather-appropriate clothing, and a bag for personal items.

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 Philadelphia 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 on time and ready to work, with no more than three absences for the season.
• Follow crew leader instructions and SCA safety policies and procedures.
• Have sturdy, closed-toe work boots, long sturdy pants, weather-appropriate clothing, and a backpack or bag for personal items.
• Bring a positive attitude and strong work ethic and work effectively with a team.

Responsibilities

• Complete trail maintenance and construction, including water management, brushing, blazing, and reroutes.
• Participate in habitat restoration, including identifying and removing invasive species, collecting data, and planting trees.
• Perform facility maintenance, including painting, staining, and basic carpentry.
• Build projects such as picnic tables, stairs, and signs.
• Maintain fencing and boundary lines.
• Attend workdays on time and ready to work, with no more than three absences during the season.
• Work as a team to complete daily tasks and projects as routines, weather, and conditions change.
• Follow instructions from crew leaders and project partners and comply with SCA safety policies and procedures.
• Participate in environmental education sessions and team-building activities.
• Help track project accomplishments and data, and complete end-of-program feedback surveys.
• Help keep the crew safe, respectful, and welcoming.

Benefits

• Paid employment at $17.31 per hour, approximately $649 per week before taxes, paid biweekly.
• Practical job skills and experience with conservation, natural resource management, and outdoor recreation projects.
• Environmental education and team-building activities.
• SCA-provided tools, crew work shirts, and required safety equipment.
• Travel between the daily meeting location and worksites is included in the paid workday.

What This Job Offers

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