2027 Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps - Lancaster Youth Crew

Student Conservation Association • Lancaster, PA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Student Conservation Association (SCA), in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, is hiring high school students for its Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Crew members work with a small team on hands-on trail, habitat, and facility projects on public lands, including state parks and forests. Crews are supervised by two trained adult crew leaders or one solo leader. Participants also 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, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with a 30-minute unpaid lunch break. The position pays $17.31 per hour, approximately $649 per week before taxes, and is paid biweekly. The stated schedule is 37.5 hours per week, though hours are not guaranteed during severe or dangerous weather. Travel between the crew meeting location and worksites is part of the paid workday. Crews may shift to safe or indoor work during brief periods of bad weather; severe weather may result in an unpaid day off.

Applicants must be 15–18 at the start of the program, current Pennsylvania residents, available for the full program, and live in or near Lancaster with reliable transportation to the daily meeting location. They must complete onboarding and receive field approval from SCA before the program begins. Housing is not provided. Crews meet at a central location and travel together to worksites in an SCA vehicle. SCA provides tools, work shirts, and required safety equipment; members must provide sturdy closed-toe work boots, long sturdy pants, weather-appropriate clothing, and a backpack or 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 through August 6, 2027.
• Live in or near Lancaster 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 workdays and arrive on time and ready to work, with no more than three absences for the season.
• Follow crew leader and project partner instructions and all SCA safety policies and procedures.
• Bring 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 cooperatively with peers.

Responsibilities

• Complete trail maintenance and construction projects, including water management, brushing, blazing, and reroutes.
• Support habitat restoration through invasive species identification and removal, data collection, and tree planting.
• Perform facility maintenance, including painting, staining, and basic carpentry.
• Help build projects such as picnic tables, stairs, and signs.
• Maintain fencing and boundary lines.
• 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.
• Attend every workday, arrive on time and ready to work, and have no more than three absences for the season.
• Help keep the crew a safe, respectful, and welcoming place for everyone.
• Participate in environmental education sessions and team-building activities.
• Help track project accomplishments and data, and complete end-of-program feedback surveys.

Benefits

• Pay of $17.31 per hour, approximately $649 per week before taxes, paid biweekly.
• Practical job skills and experience related to conservation, natural resource management, and outdoor recreation.
• Environmental education and team-building activities.
• Tools, crew work shirts, and required safety equipment provided.
• Travel together to worksites in an SCA vehicle.

What This Job Offers

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