Senior Member - 2026 Western Corps Sequoia National Forest Trail Teams

Student Conservation Association • West Bishop, CA

23h • $550 • Onsite

About The Position

Are you ready to grow your leadership skills and explore iconic landscapes in the Western U.S.? Do you want to make a tangible difference in our natural spaces while learning skills to kickstart your conservation career? Join the Student Conservation Association (SCA) as a Senior Member for our Sequoia National Forest Trail Team and embark on a journey that blends purpose with adventure. This isn’t your average 9-to-5 job. You’ll be part of a 5-person crew consisting of 1 leader, 1 senior member, and 3 crew members. The crew will work on trail maintenance projects that promote safe recreational experiences in Sequoia National Forest. Projects may include clearing trail corridor, logging out trails with crosscut saws, and maintaining tread and drainage features. Senior members will work under the guidance of a field leader to support the logistical and community needs of your crew. Crews will train, live and work together throughout the season. Now is the perfect opportunity to dedicate your time and energy to a meaningful project that prepares you for a future in the conservation world.

Requirements

• Must be 18 or older by the position start date
• Legal work status in the US
• Successfully pass SCA’s background check
• Successfully complete a Health Screening Questionnaire before the position start date
• Must be able to attend Crew Member Training from 8/3/2026 - 8/22/2026
• Previous corps, outdoor living or leadership experience
• Must uphold project, crew community, basecamp, vehicle, and additional safety standards set through SCA’s policies
• Commitment to teamwork, learning, and problem-solving
• Work in challenging outdoor conditions, including extreme heat, extreme cold, high winds, and precipitation
• Perform manual, physical labor for up to 10 hours per day, hike 5+ miles in a day and occasionally lift and/or move 40 pounds or more
• Live and work in a multi-gendered, multi-cultural communal environment, sharing common spaces and communal meal settings each day

Nice To Haves

• Camping and/or backpacking experience
• Experience using hand tools
• Strong interpersonal skills and community living experience
• Current Wilderness First Aid Certification
• Experience with trail work, habitat restoration, or conservation projects
• Chainsaw or crosscut experience
• For driver eligibility, must be over 21 years old, possess a valid driver’s license for 3+ years, a Motor Vehicle Record that meets SCA’s standards, and complete SCA’s driver training

Responsibilities

• Completion of conservation project and community tasks as assigned
• Full engagement is expected in all work projects and crew activities - both on and off duty
• Lead your crew through daily tasks like basecamp chores, vehicle inspections, tool counts and other logistical tasks
• Lead your crew through meal shopping, camp chores, basecamp maintenance, vehicle inspections, and other logistical and/or communal living tasks
• Manage pre and post hitch tasks
• Support community well-being
• Participate in meal preparation, camp chores, and other communal living tasks
• Interface with the general public and partner organizations in a manner that reflects positively upon the crew, organization, and partner agency
• Maintain an active, solution-focused mindset to achieve crew objectives
• Adhere and promote standards set through SCA’s policies
• Support technical and outdoors skill development of crew members
• Contribute to travel planning, data collection, and team logistics support
• Non-routine tool and gear maintenance
• If eligible, may drive the SCA vehicle for team support

Benefits

• $650 one-time round-trip travel allowance (paid in first paycheck)
• $550 weekly living allowance
• Meals: Provided during fieldwork
• Gear: Group camping gear, like tents, stoves, and filters, are provided
• Uniform Package: Includes daypack, work shirts, water bladder and more!
• Wilderness First Aid Training
• Conservation trail work skills training
• Crosscut training
• Defensive driver training, if eligible
• Trailer driving training, if eligible

What This Job Offers

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