Field Leader-2025 Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps - Scranton Youth Crew

Position Summary:

The Student Conservation Association, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), is seeking experienced, dedicated individuals to join the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps. The Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps offers paid work experience, hands-on skill development, and educational opportunities. Summer Crew Leaders will supervise, guide, and lead a team of high school students in completing conservation projects on Pennsylvania's public lands. Throughout the season, leaders will ensure the safety of their crews, guide and supervise project work, facilitate team-building, maintain professional communication with staff and partners, and complete associated administrative and reporting duties related to the position. Project leaders work closely with SCA and DCNR staff to ensure a successful and meaningful season for their crews.

Position Details:

2025 Crew Location: Scranton, PA

Dates:

• Leader Position: 6/8/25 - 8/12/25
• Leader Training: 6/8/25 – 6/18/25 *travel and on-site stay required at training site 6/8/25 - 6/13/25
• Leader Prep Week: 6/23/25 – 6/27/25
• Members in the Field: 6/30/25 – 8/8/25

Weekly Schedule: Monday - Friday; 7:30am - 3:30pm *Crew Leaders may need to complete tasks outside of those hours

• Local crews meet daily at a centralized location in their program city. Crew leaders will transport their team to the worksites in SCA vehicles. Some drives can be up to 1 hour. This is a field-based position. Efforts will be made to accommodate safe and indoor work during short periods of inclement weather, but crew members may be called off during periods of extreme weather, and therefore, 37.5 hours per week is not guaranteed in the event of inclement weather events.

Compensation

$19.38/hr ($775/week pre-tax) paid biweekly.

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

Hours

40 per week

Living Accommodations and Transportation

No housing provided. Leader must have/secure their own housing prior to the program start date. Crew vehicles provided for transporting the team to and from worksites for the full duration of the field season, and leaders must have reliable transportation to and from their team's centralized meeting location.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Act as a Crew Supervisor by facilitating teamwork, managing field-based tasks, ensuring and maintaining SCA safety standards, teaching and monitoring project tasks, proper tool use, and body mechanics
• Serve as a Role Model by cultivating a safe and respectful workplace environment, modeling professional behavior and work ethics, encouraging personal development, facilitating team building, guiding crew dynamics and morale, and facilitating conflict resolution
• Act as a Project Manager by communicating with agency park partners, ensuring successful and timely completion of work projects, and upholding a positive representation of SCA.
• Perform tasks as a Program Administrator by organizing logistics, completing documentation, managing a budget, and communicating with SCA staff and Partners

Required Qualifications:

• Age 21 before the start of the position
• Must be available for the full duration of the position
• Must have experience working with youth or in outdoor settings
• Must successfully complete SCA Leader Training
• Must have a current valid DL with a minimum of 3 years driving experience
• Must be able to pass SCA Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) check
• Must have current CPR/First Aid certification
• Must have, or obtain, required PA clearances for working with youth prior to position
• Must have housing in or near the program city
• Must have reliable transportation to and from the crew meeting location
• Must have the ability to model safe and professional behavior at all times
• Ability to perform manual, physical labor for up to 8 hours per day, exposed to the elements in outdoor settings

Job Functions:

CONSERVATION PROJECTS MAY INCLUDE

• Trail maintenance and construction, including implementing water management techniques, brushing, blazing, reroutes,
• Habitat Restoration including invasive species identification and treatments, tree Planting, and installing Riparian Buffers
• Facility maintenance projects, including painting, staining, and basic carpentry
• Construction projects such as bridges, stairs, picnic tables, and pavilions
• Fencing and Boundary Line Maintenance

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Work schedules and projects may change on short notice or be ambiguous.
• Work settings require the ability to positively interact with people of varying cultures and perspectives.
• Inclement and severe weather conditions, including heavy rain and flash flooding, gusty and strong winds, foggy or decreased visibility, and lightning events.
• Decreased or inclement air quality conditions due to wildfire smoke or smog.
• Warm temperatures and adverse heat conditions, which could include temperatures in some regions up to 110°F or hotter.
• Exposure to natural and environmental hazards such as poison ivy, oak, or sumac, tick and mosquito-borne illness, snakes, and potential for other wildlife encounters.

GENERAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Able to understand, adhere to, and communicate with others regarding hazards, procedures, and safety policies.
• Able to stay alert and engaged for extended periods of program time.
• Able to independently manage known medical conditions with the resources available throughout the position or program.
• Able to wear all required personal protective equipment, including internal or external safety glasses, hard hats, gloves, N95 or other approved face mask or shield, chaps, and appropriate footwear.
• Able to refrain from behaviors and actions that disrupt the work and safety of others.
• Able to cooperate with others to complete daily group tasks, responsibilities, and project work under potentially difficult conditions, variable daily routines, and limited personal time.
• Able to self-regulate or co-regulate emotions and actions when distressed or uncomfortable, with or without the support of others.
• Able to self-manage outdoor and environmental exposure (e.g., temperature, wind, sun, etc.) in a variety of weather conditions.

Equal Opportunity Statement

SCA strives to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all staff members. SCA is committed to maintaining a work atmosphere in which people of diverse backgrounds and lifestyles may grow personally and professionally. The Student Conservation Association, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.