Field Leader- 2025 Kootenai National Forest Backcountry Trail Crew

Position Summary

The Kootenai National Forest in Montana will host several backcountry SCA trail crews in 2025. The Kootenai National Forest encompasses over 2.2 million acres of National Forest System lands and located in the extreme northwest corner of Montana, including a small portion of northeast Idaho. The forest consists of 4 Ranger Districts located in Eureka, Troy, Libby and Trout Creek. 3-4 different crews comprised of 4 corps members and 1 leader each will be based at one of these locations in 2025. Applicants may indicate during interviews if they prefer a specific location assignment.

Location

Libby, MT

Schedule

June 1, 2025 - September 27, 2025

Key Duties and Responsibilities

As a Field Leader:

• Act as a Crew Supervisor, by facilitating teamwork, managing basecamp and equipment tasks, overseeing member wellbeing and guiding crew dynamics.
• Serve as an Advisor, by training members in technical conservation work skills, mentoring personal and professional development, and teaching environmental stewardship.
• Act as a Project Manager, by ensuring successful and timely completion of work projects, communicating with agency partners, and upholding a positive representation of SCA.
• Perform tasks as a Program Administrator, by organizing logistics, completing documentation, managing crew budgets, and communicating with SCA staff.

Your Impact

Rebuilding trails – You'll play a key role in ensuring that recreation users can safely enjoy our national forests, helping them connect to the outdoors.

What We're Looking For

If you're passionate about making a real difference and leading with purpose, this role is for you. Strong candidates will have a good foundation in backcountry living and experience working outdoors. In addition to these technical skills, strong leader candidates also excel in fostering team dynamics, navigating interpersonal relationships, and creating a strong sense of community. Effective crew leadership revolves around building trust, problem-solving, and cultivating resilience within the team. We're seeking leaders who prioritize emotional intelligence, empathy, and the ability to guide others through challenges, all while creating a positive environment.

Success for our teams hinges on understanding and addressing both individual and group needs. Leaders must be fully invested in supporting their crew, through everything from community meetings to one-on-one check-ins, even outside of project hours. Conservation work is unpredictable, and the best leaders are those who can adapt, communicate, and bring out the best in their team under any circumstances. Navigating inclement weather and related challenges, from heavy rains to all-day sun exposure, are conditions crews may face. Thunderstorms, wind and smoke can be experienced within the same workday.

There will be up to 4 crews working in the Kootenai National Forest and there may be opportunities for crews to work together. Leaders must be comfortable collaborating while maintaining responsibility for their assigned members.

What Might the Season Look Like?

Service begins at training in North Fork, ID at SCA's Pacific Northwest Corps headquarters, where participants will develop leadership and conservation skills needed for a trails corps team. Training is field-based and will include a review of sustainable trail practices, tools for building a team and proper basecamp setup. Staff will also share administrative and risk management expectations. A Wilderness First Aid course and Saw certifications are offered during training. Crews will depart training to their project sites in early July where they will work directly with local Forest Service staff for the duration of the season.

Work Schedule

In general, crews should expect to work on their project for 80 hours within a two-week span. This is subject to change based upon programmatic and field-based needs. Different projects will require different schedules. Some crews work 8 10-hour workdays with 6 days off, others may work 4 10-hour days with 3 days off. Check-ins with members or managing incidents may happen at any time during the season.

Marginal Duties

Inspire your team – Serve as a mentor to young adults wanting to make a difference.

Required Qualifications

• 21 years old
• Must have the ability to legally work in the US
• Valid driver's license (3 years) and Motor Vehicle Record that meets SCA standards
• Must be able to attend Crew Leader and corps member training: 6/1/2025 – 7/12/2025
• Leadership experience in the outdoors (outdoor education, conservation work, or leading peer groups)
• Ability to perform manual, physical labor for up to 10 hours per day, exposed to the elements, and must occasionally lift and/or move 40 pounds or more;
• Camping, hiking, and backcountry experience
• Commitment to teamwork, learning, and problem-solving
• Ability to obtain a Wilderness First Responder Certification during training

Preferred Qualifications

• Current Wilderness First Responder Certification
• Experience with trail work, habitat restoration, or conservation projects
• Chainsaw or Crosscut Certification (Bonus points for B-Faller and B-Bucking certifications!)
• Trailer Driving Experience is a plus

Hours

40 per week

Living Accommodations

Participants should be prepared to camp in frontcountry and/or backcountry conditions throughout the program. Community chores like preparing meals and washing dishes will be shared by members and leader. SCA will provide group gear such as tents, kitchen supplies (like pots, pans, and stoves), and uniform items. Leaders and members will be expected to bring their personal items such as a sleeping bag, sleeping pad, clothing, and mess kit. To support the crew's efforts, Leaders are issued an SCA vehicle and trailer for transportation and storage, and a field budget to purchase groceries, supplies, and fuel. Expect to be camping for the duration of the crew, during work and off-time. This means limited access to electricity, running water and showers. These facilities will be available through the Kootenai National Forest.

Compensation

• Pay: $800/week
• Travel reimbursement: up to $500
• Phone stipend: $45/month
• Meals: Provided
• Gear: Group camping gear provided (tents, stoves, cooking supplies) You'll also receive:
• Wilderness First Responder Training (completion of this certification is required for the position)
• Defensive driver training
• Trailer driving training

All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes.

Additional Benefits

• Bear Safety
• Defensive Drive Training
• First Aid/CPR
• Interpretive Skills
• Leave No Trace Master Educator Certification
• Off-Road Vehicle Safety
• Wilderness First Responder Training

Equal Opportunity Statement

The Student Conservation Association, Inc., is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The SCA strives to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all staff members and is committed to maintaining a work atmosphere where lifestyles may grow personally and professionally.