Conservation Corps - NPF Olympic NP Trail Crew

Program Dates: 06/22/2025 – 09/20/2025

About us:

The Student Conservation Association (SCA) is the largest provider of hands-on environmental conservation programs for youth and young adults. Program participants protect and restore national parks, marine sanctuaries, cultural landmarks, and community parks across the country.

Program Description:

Come experience beautiful Olympic National Park as a member of an SCA Backcountry Trail Corp Teams this summer. Crews will spend 13 weeks helping to restore and clear the backcountry trails of Olympic National Park.

2025 Tentative Schedule

• Please note – this is a tentative schedule. Dates and Location may change, but training opportunities will remain the same.

Overview Schedule: Crew members will begin their program at a training location in the Western US, where they will meet other SCA Conservation Crews, attend a three-week training program to give the crew a baseline proficiency for their program. Team building, SCA and AmeriCorps Orientation; Wilderness First Aid; and Conservation Work Skills, Chainsaw and/or Crosscut training will be covered during this training. Expect to camp and be outdoors for much of this portion of the program. When the training has concluded the team will travel together to their project site Olympic National Park. Around July 13th the crew will receive orientation from the Park Service and begin the field work promptly. The crew will remain in Olympic National Park until the program ends September 20th, where members will depart from Seattle-Tacoma International.

Day to Day Schedule: The crew weill work an 8-day/10-hour schedule Thursday-Thursday. Corps members serve approximately 40 hours a week for a period of 13 weeks. For Members electing to participate in AmeriCorps (AC) they must achieve a minimum of 450 hours of service to receive the Quarter Time AC Ed Award within that 13-week period.

Crew Housing:

Crews will be camping throughout the season. Showers, laundry and occasional housing facilities will be available during days off. Crew will have a base camp location they can utilize for days off. A program vehicle will be provided to the crew, and the vehicle will be driven by the SCA Project Leader and any Corps Member who is 21 and successfully completes SCA’s Drivers Training. During field season, members should expect to be traveling with their crew throughout the entirety of the season.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Engage as a crew member to promote healthy group dynamics and promote effective and productive teamwork.
• Serve variable hours (long days and/or weekend), at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, in varying weather conditions, and under physically demanding circumstances.
• Live and serve with the same crew for the duration of the season.
• Use technical equipment including a chainsaw, power tools, and hand tools.

Member Qualifications (Essential Functions)

• Interest and investment in leadership development and teamwork is required.
• Commitment to living and serving within an intensive crew environment; interpersonal skills and community living experience are pluses.
• Commitment to service in environmental conditions that may include heat, cold, insects, and wildlife.
• Must be willing to learn how to use hand tools and power tools to accomplish service activities.
• To be eligible to serve as an AmeriCorps Member:
  • Be a citizen, permanent resident, or national of the United States.
  • Be at least 18 years or older.
  • Have a high school diploma or equivalent or actively working to obtain one.
  • Be willing to undergo National Service Criminal History Check, including criminal background, sex offender and FBI checks.

• SCA Driver Eligibility:
  • 21 years old
  • 3 years Licensed Driving Experience
  • Pass Motor Vehicle Record Check
  • Complete SCAs Driver Training
• Ability to lift 40-50 lbs., and walk/hike on uneven terrain, uphill or downhill, for 10 miles.
• Ability to pass SCA’s background check.

Member Benefits

• $600/ week living allowance *
• Travel allowance of $650 *
• Required to serve as an AmeriCorps member. Potential for $1,956.35 AmeriCorps award at fulfillment of 450 service hours
• Food provided throughout the duration of the season.
• Project Skills & Tool training
• Chainsaw training

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  All Allowances subject to Federal, State, and local taxes