Field Leader

The Student Conservation Association in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), is seeking outgoing individuals to join the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps as Project Leaders for the 2027 field season. Project Leaders train, supervise, and administer a crew of young adults (4 members) as they work on a variety of conservation projects, career development, and environmental education. Project Leaders work closely with SCA and DCNR staff to ensure a successful and meaningful season for their crews. This is a Full-Time contract position.

Work will be performed atvarious sites throughout the Harrisburg region. These sites may include:

Gifford Pinchot State Park

Pine Grove Furnace State Park

Memorial Lake State Park

Codorus State Park

Colonel Denning State Park

Tuscarora Forest District

Kings Gap State Park

Little Buffalo State Park

Swatara State Park

Susquehanna Riverlands State Park

Cove Mountain Preserve (Nature Conservancy)

Other Community Partners and Organizations

Position Dates: Feb 22nd, 2027 - Nov 26th, 2027

• Leader Training: 2/22/27 - 3/5/27 (Weekends Off)
• Leader Prep Week: 3/8/27 - 3/12/27
• Members in the Field: 3/15/27 - 11/18/27

Field Season Schedule: Crew hours are Monday-Wednesday 7:00am-5:00pm, Thursday 7:00am-4:30pm.

*Crew leaders may need to complete tasks outside of those hours

Compensation: $850/week + optional employee-sponsored benefits (health, dental, vision, retirement)

Job Responsibilities

Responsibility Area 1: Crew Supervision

• Manage the overall flow of the day and keep crew members on task
• Conduct morning safety briefings and project debriefings
• Oversee the training of members in technical conservation work either directly or through the agency partners

Responsibility Area 2: Mentoring and Coaching

• Mentor personal and professional development in line with program standards
• Monitor and guide crew dynamics to promote healthy crew culture
• Encourage members to participate in job shadows, networking, and professional development opportunities

Responsibility Area 3: Project Management

• Overall coordination of the crew project schedule in conjunction with agency partners
• Conduct pre-project site visits either in person or virtually
• Monitor progress of projects and report back to agency partners
• Work collaboratively with agency staff to pivot when projects are completed early or delayed
• Coordinate environmental education opportunities throughout the season

Responsibility Area 4: Program Administration

• Track expenses monthly and maintain all receipts
• Track program accomplishments through timely completion of hitch reports
• Manage attendance and member timecards
• Coordinate logistics for overnight hitches, and trainings
• Manage the crew vehicle for the duration of the season

Marginal Responsibilities

• Maintenance of the crew tool cache including sharpening hand tools, maintaining chainsaws or other power tools
• Management of other crew gear such as PPE, water cooler, or project specific materials; including running errands to restock supplies

Conservation Project May Include:

• Facility maintenance including: painting, staining, light carpentry, plumbing, siding, other building rehabilitation and upkeep
• Constructions projects such as: bridges, stairs, picnic tables, pavilions, and masonry
• Trail maintenance and construction including: implementing water management techniques, brushing, blazing, reroutes
• Habitat restoration including: invasive species identification and treatments, herbicide applications
• Tree planting, and other general landscaping
• Fencing and boundary line maintenance

Required Qualifications

Basic Requirements

• Must be a minimum of 21 years of age
• Must have the ability to legally work in the US
• Must have a valid driver's license for 3+ years and MVR that meets SCA standards
• Must be able to meet SCA's criminal background check standards
• Minimum of 1 year of leadership, teaching, or supervisory experience

Interpersonal and Professional Skills:

• Develop and maintain professional relationships with staff, crew leaders, and other members;
• Able to serve effectively with other team members to achieve goals and contribute to team success.
• Understand verbal and/or written communication;
• Must be dependable, flexible, and cooperative;
• Ability to take initiative to complete the task at hand without prompting;
• Accepting of leadership and supervisory authority; and
• Completes tasks appropriately and in a timely manner