Conservation Corps - Midwest Roving Corps Team Member

Student Conservation Association • St. Louis, MO

7h • Hybrid

About The Position

The 2026 Midwest NPS/USFS Team will consist of four young adults working alongside USFS partners at Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, WI and NPS partners at Gateway Arch National Park, MO. Team members must be flexible and adaptive, as they will frequently change work projects and living sites. Projects can range from building and improving trails in the woods to placing paver blocks in downtown St. Louis. Potential projects include building trail reroutes, constructing box steps, brushing trails, mapping wilderness areas, setting paver blocks around tree plantings, and general planting and landscaping. The program begins with field-based training, possibly at a separate site with other SCA crews. Guided by an experienced Project Leader, team members will learn essential skills like risk management and hands-on trail and tool training. Season projects involve using hand tools and occasionally small equipment. Fieldwork is physically and mentally demanding. Crew members should expect to camp for part of the season, sometimes at primitive sites with limited amenities or cell service. Indoor housing will be provided when working in St. Louis. The crew will comprise 3 young adult members (18+) and 1 team leader, with access to one SCA vehicle for transportation.

Requirements

• Minimum of 18 years of age
• Have ability to legally work in the US
• Meet SCA’s criminal background check standards
• Ability to lift 40 pounds and independently travel 2 miles over varied terrain while carrying a 40-pound pack without assistance
• Ability to perform manual, physical labor in a variety of outdoor conditions for up to 8-10 hours per day
• Interest in serving alongside and supporting others on a team
• Willingness to live alongside a team and participate in community chores and meal preparation
• Willingness to complete some project paperwork including project reports, output logs, and inventories
• With training, ability to use hand tools and power tools to complete assigned work projects
• Participants must be a citizen or national of the United States or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States.
• Able to understand, adhere to, and communicate with others regarding hazards, procedures, and safety policies.
• Able to independently manage known medical conditions with the resources available throughout the position or program.
• Able to wear all required personal protective equipment, including safety glasses, hard hats, gloves, N95 or other approved face mask or shield, and appropriate footwear.
• Able to refrain from behaviors and actions that disrupt the work and safety of others.
• Able to cooperate with others to complete daily group tasks, responsibilities, and project work under potentially difficult conditions, variable daily routines, and with limited personal time.
• Able to self-regulate or co-regulate emotions and actions when distressed or uncomfortable, with or without the support of others.
• Able to self-manage outdoor and environmental exposure (e.g., temperature, wind, sun, etc.) in a variety of weather conditions.
• Able to maintain adequate nutrition and hydration throughout program time.
• If using prescription medications, able to self-administer medications by following the prescribed dosage, usage, and timing without supervisor assistance. If prescription medication is administered via injection, able to self-administer the injection.
• Able to independently carry a backpacking pack weighing approximately 30% of body weight over varied, loose, inclined terrain for up to a maximum of 15 miles per day with adequate breaks.
• Able to lift a backpacking pack weighing approximately 30% of body weight with minimal assistance from others.
• Able to maintain adequate personal hygiene, sun protection, and dress in remote outdoor environments and in adverse weather conditions, where access to permanent shelter and facilities are limited or not available.
• Able to live and work in primitive conditions that lack running water, refrigeration, air conditioning, reliable electricity, and toilet facilities for the duration of a work hitch, where emergency care and services are limited and delayed.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working outdoors, on trail projects, conservation projects, or other applicable hands-on physical work, is a plus
• Experience camping for extended periods of time is a plus

Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with a team of three others to complete priority projects determined by partner staff.
• Engage as a crew member to promote healthy group dynamics, and promote effective and productive teamwork.
• Work variable hours, possible long days and possible weekends, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, in varying weather conditions, and under physically demanding circumstances.
• Use technical equipment such as hand or power tools.
• Take part in trail work, such as clear trail corridor with hand tools and small equipment; install grade dips and drainage structures; rehab and reestablish the tread of a trail; build trail structures (i.e. retaining walls, check steps, staircases, fences, or barriers).

Benefits

• Living allowance: $450/week living allowance (pre-tax)
• One-time travel allowance provided: $650
• Budget for meals during work days (managed by leader)
• SCA branded uniform items and gear
• SCA trails and corps member training, first aid training, ongoing professional development training
• Wilderness First Aid Training

What This Job Offers

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