Crew Member- Cleveland Community Young Tree Care Team

About us:

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

 

This position is part of SCA’s National Direct Opportunity Youth Service Initiative (OYSI). OYSI is a partnership between SCA, AmeriCorps, and The Corps Network which engages young people ages 18–24, who are disconnected from school or work, in hands-on conservation service that protect and restore public lands, waters, and recreation resources nationwide. The program provides job-skills training, support, and career pathways in environmental stewardship and infrastructure fields, while prioritizing placements for participants who meet opportunity-youth eligibility criteria.

 

The OYSI program is focused on providing young adults opportunities to grow competitive skills in the field of natural resource management to prepare them to move into conservation jobs after their term of service. Skills will include hands-on conservation service experience, professional development training, and nationally recognized certifications.

 

SCA's Cleveland Tree Care Team works together to advance maintaining Cleveland's urban forest in low-canopy neighborhoods. The team is partnering with community groups that have identified priority tree care needs, including watering, young tree training and pruning, mulching, staking, and fencing, invasive plant removal, general site maintenance, and tracking. In addition, the crew will engage with the local community and partner organizations by supporting related community tree care projects, sharing information about the benefits trees provide, and additional community engagement projects centered on collaboration, learning, and the forest.

 

The Cleveland Tree Care Team will consist of 3 young adult members (18 years of age or older) and 1 Team Leader. Members meet at a centralized location and are transported in an SCA vehicle to their work sites each day by the Team Leader. The team will work together through a variety of weather conditions during their season, and work will primarily take place outdoors. Members should feel able to perform physical labor outdoors for up to 8 hours per day, and lift and carry 50 lbs or more. In addition, members can expect regular informal interaction with the public, including community tree steward volunteers, and those curious about the work the team is doing.

Team members will be supervised in the field by an experienced SCA Team Leader. All team members are expected to be respectful, on-time, hardworking, and aware of conditions to ensure a safe service environment.

 

Member Impact

Members of the Student Conservation Association (SCA) AmeriCorps Tree Care Team will make a real, hands-on difference to the survival and growth of Cleveland's tree canopy by providing care and watering to recently planted trees. As a member, you'll serve alongside other young adults on your team as well as volunteer community members to conduct hands-on conservation projects, including tree maintenance and watering, invasive species removal, and ongoing land stewardship work. Team members will receive certifications and opportunities for future leadership and career opportunities in urban and community forestry and conservation.

 

Schedule

June 8, 2026 - September 19, 2026

 

Hours

Tuesday through Saturday, 8am-4:30pm

Some evening hours may be required to attend community events or trainings.

A minimum 30-minute lunch break is required each service day. Lunch periods do not count toward the required minimum service hours.

 

Service Location

Reports to: The Student Conservation Association, 4500 Lee Rd, Cleveland OH

Service will be performed at various planting sites in the Cleveland metropolitan region, primarily within Cuyahoga County

 

AmeriCorps Service Term Minimum Hours Requirement 

450 hours required for AmeriCorps award eligibility

 

Essential Functions

Interest and investment in leadership development and teamwork is required.

Commitment to serving as a productive team member; demonstrating strong interpersonal and professional skills.

Commitment to service in environmental conditions that will include extreme heat, extreme cold, high winds, and precipitation.

Must be willing to learn how to use hand tools and power tools to accomplish service activities.

Ability to communicate the presence of safety hazards through visual and auditory means.

The position functions will comply with all AmeriCorps Prohibited Activity restrictions specified in the S