2027 Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps - Reading Youth Crew

Student Conservation Association • Reading, PA

23h • 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 the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps summer program in Reading, 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, approximately $649 per week before taxes, paid biweekly, and take part in environmental education and team-building activities that introduce careers in conservation, natural resource management, and outdoor recreation.

The six-week program runs June 28 through August 6, 2027. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with a 30-minute unpaid lunch break, for 37.5 hours per week. July 5 is a standard workday. Travel between the crew meeting location and worksites is part of the paid workday. Work hours are not guaranteed during severe or dangerous weather, when a crew may be called off for an unpaid day. Crews may move to safe or indoor work during short periods of bad weather when possible.

Participants must be 15–18 at the start of the program, current Pennsylvania residents, available for the full program, and live in or near Reading 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 supplies 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.

This is field-based work, and schedules and projects may change on short notice. Participants may encounter severe weather, poor air quality, heat and humidity, poisonous plants, ticks, mosquitoes, snakes, and other wildlife. Members must be able to perform outdoor manual work for a full workday, remain alert, follow safety procedures, wear required personal protective equipment, manage known medical conditions and needed medications, and seek support when needed. SCA is an equal opportunity employer; selection decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and performance, without unlawful discrimination.

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 Reading 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.
• Bring sturdy, closed-toe work boots, long sturdy pants, weather-appropriate clothing, and a backpack or bag for personal items.
• Be able to perform manual outdoor project work for a full workday in varied weather conditions.
• Be able to remain alert, understand and follow safety policies, and act to keep oneself and others safe.
• Be able to manage known medical conditions during the workday, including carrying any needed medications.
• Be able to wear required personal protective equipment.
• Be able to manage emotions and reactions when stressed or uncomfortable and ask for support when needed.
• Bring a positive attitude and strong work ethic.

Responsibilities

• Complete trail maintenance and construction projects, including water management, brushing, blazing, and reroutes.
• Contribute to habitat restoration through invasive-species identification and removal, data collection, and tree planting.
• Perform facility maintenance, including painting, staining, and basic carpentry.
• Build project items such as picnic tables, stairs, and signs.
• Maintain fencing and boundary lines.
• Attend environmental education sessions and team-building activities.
• Help track project accomplishments and data, and complete end-of-program feedback surveys.
• Attend workdays on time and ready to work, with no more than three absences for 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.

Benefits

• Pay of $17.31 per hour (approximately $649 per week before taxes), paid biweekly.
• Hands-on job skills and experience related to conservation, natural resource management, and outdoor recreation.
• SCA provides tools, crew work shirts, required safety equipment, and shared transportation from the crew meeting location to worksites.

What This Job Offers

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