2027 Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps - Pittsburgh Youth Crew

Student Conservation Association • Pittsburgh, PA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Student Conservation Association (SCA), in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), seeks motivated, team-oriented high school students for the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps summer program in Pittsburgh. 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 a paycheck, develop practical job skills, and take part in environmental education and team-building activities connected to conservation, natural resource management, and outdoor recreation careers.

The program runs June 28 through August 6, 2027, Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., including a 30-minute unpaid lunch break. Travel between the daily meeting location and worksites is included in paid work time. Compensation is $17.31 per hour, approximately $649 per week before taxes, paid biweekly. The usual schedule is 37.5 hours per week, but this is not guaranteed because severe or dangerous weather may result in an unpaid day off. Crews move to safe or indoor work during brief periods of bad weather when possible.

Participants must be 15–18 at the start of the program, be current Pennsylvania residents, be available for the full program, live in or near Pittsburgh with reliable transportation to the daily meeting location, and complete onboarding and field approval 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, crew work shirts, and required safety equipment. Members must supply sturdy closed-toe work boots, long sturdy pants, weather-appropriate clothing, and a backpack or bag for personal items.

The work is field-based, and schedules and projects may change at short notice. Conditions may include severe weather, poor air quality, high heat and humidity, poisonous plants, tick- and mosquito-borne illness, snakes, and other wildlife. 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 Pittsburgh 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, arriving 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.

Responsibilities

• Complete trail maintenance and construction projects, including water management, brushing, blazing, and reroutes.
• Carry out habitat restoration work, including identifying and removing invasive species, collecting data, and planting trees.
• Perform facility maintenance, including painting, staining, and basic carpentry.
• Build projects such as picnic tables, stairs, and signs.
• Maintain fencing and boundary lines.
• Attend every workday, arrive on time and ready to work, and limit absences to no more than three 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.
• 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 development.
• Environmental education and team-building activities.
• SCA-provided tools, crew work shirts, and required safety equipment.
• Travel together to worksites in an SCA vehicle.

What This Job Offers

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