2027 Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps - Harrisburg Youth Crew - PO-00802510

Student Conservation Association • Swatara Township, PA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Student Conservation Association (SCA), in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), is hiring motivated, team-oriented high school students for the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Crew members work with a small team on hands-on trail, habitat, and facility projects on Pennsylvania public lands. Crews are supervised by two trained adult crew leaders or one solo leader. Participants earn $17.31 per hour, build practical job skills, and take part in environmental education and team-building activities connected to careers in conservation, natural resource management, and outdoor recreation.

The program runs from June 28 through August 6, 2027, for six weeks. The regular schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with a 30-minute unpaid lunch break. The position is scheduled for 37.5 hours per week, although hours are not guaranteed during severe or dangerous weather. Travel between the crew meeting location and worksites is part of the paid workday. Housing is not provided. Crews meet at a central location in Harrisburg and travel together to worksites in an SCA vehicle.

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 backpack or bag for personal items. Work is field-based, and schedules and projects may change on short notice. Members may encounter severe weather, poor air quality, high heat and humidity, and natural hazards including poisonous plants, ticks, mosquitoes, snakes, and other wildlife.

Requirements

• Must be 15–18 years old at the start of the program.
• Must be a current Pennsylvania resident.
• Must be available for the full program, June 28–August 6, 2027.
• Must live in or near Harrisburg and have reliable transportation to and from the daily crew meeting location.
• Must complete all onboarding requirements and receive field approval from SCA staff before the program begins.
• Must be able to perform manual outdoor physical project work for a full workday in varied weather conditions, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Must be able to stay alert and engaged throughout the program day, understand and follow safety policies, and act to keep self and others safe.
• Must be able to manage known medical conditions during the workday, including carrying needed medications.
• Must be able to wear required personal protective equipment, including safety glasses, hard hats, gloves, approved face masks, and sturdy footwear.
• Must be able to manage emotions and reactions when stressed or uncomfortable and ask for support when needed.
• Must provide sturdy, closed-toe work boots, long sturdy pants, weather-appropriate clothing, and a backpack or bag for personal items.

Responsibilities

• Complete trail maintenance and construction projects, including water management, brushing, blazing, and reroutes.
• Support habitat restoration, including invasive species identification and removal, data collection, and tree planting.
• Perform facility maintenance, including painting, staining, and basic carpentry.
• Participate in building 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.
• Help maintain a safe, respectful, and welcoming crew environment.
• Take part 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.
• Hands-on job skills development and participation in environmental education and team-building activities.

What This Job Offers

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