Field Leader - 2025 Fall Snow Mountain Wilderness Recovery Team

Position Summary 

Why Join Us? This isn’t your average 9-to-5 job. As a Crew Member, you’ll be part of a team working on trail recovery projects in Mendocino National Forest, a land still healing from the Ranch Fire. Work with hand tools and chainsaws to rebuild damaged trails, clear debris, and restore trail structures, while building a community with like-minded individuals. Living and working outside will help you develop a unique relationship to the outdoor world. Share sunrises with giant trees and explore vast landscapes with your crew. Now is the perfect opportunity to dedicate your time and energy to a project that helps the planet and people.

 

Location 

Upper Lake, CA

 

Schedule 

September 1,2025 - November 26, 2025

 

Key Duties and Responsibilities 

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

 

Marginal Duties 

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 outdoor living (camping and backpacking) and experience working with a chainsaw. 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, inclusive 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 waking up to frozen water tanks in single digit temperatures to all-day sun exposure, are conditions crews may face. Thunderstorms, wind and smoke can be experienced within the same workday.

 

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 training: 9/1/25 – 9/21/2025; Leadership experience in the outdoors (outdoor education, conservation work, or leading peer groups); Chainsaw experience; 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 and Chainsaw Certification during training;

 

This SCA Position is authorized under the Public Land Corps Authority. All participants must be between the ages of 16 and 30, inclusive, or veterans age 35 or younger. Participants must also be a citizen or national of the United States or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States. Hours served can be applied toward the Public Land Corps (PLC) hiring authority.

 

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 back