Conservation Corps - Midwest Roving Corps Team Member

Position Summary 

The 2026 Midwest NPS/USFS Team will be made up of four young adults who will be working alongside USFS partners at Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, WI and NPS partners at Gateway Arch National Park, MO.

 

Members of this team should be flexible and adaptive, as the team will change work projects and living sites often throughout the season. Team members may be working on building and improving trail in the woods one week and placing paver blocks in downtown St. Louis the next. Potential projects include building a trail reroute, building box steps, brushing trails, mapping wilderness areas, setting paver blocks around tree plantings, planting and landscaping.

 

The team will begin their program with a field-based training, which may take place at a separate site alongside other SCA crews. Guided by an experienced Project Leader, team members will learn and practice skills that are essential for a successful season, such as risk management and hands-on trail and tool trainings. Season projects involve working with hand tools and occasionally small equipment. Fieldwork is physically and mentally demanding.

 

Crew members can expect to camp part of the season, sometimes at primitive sites. Campsites may have limited amenities or cell service. This team will also have indoor housing when working in St. Louis. Crew will consist of 3 young adult members (18 years of age or older) and 1 team leader. The team will have access to one SCA vehicle for transportation to/from the worksite.

 

Location 

Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, WI and NPS partners at Gateway Arch National Park, MO

 

Schedule 

August 17, 2026 - October 23, 2026

 

Key Duties and Responsibilities 

• Work collaboratively with a team of three others to complete priority projects determined by partner staff;
• Engage as a crew member to promote healthy group dynamics, and promote effective and productive teamwork;
• Work variable hours, possible long days and possible weekends, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, in varying weather conditions, and under physically demanding circumstances;
• Use technical equipment such as hand or power tools;
• Take part in trail work, such as clear trail corridor with hand tools and small equipment; install grade dips and drainage structures; rehab and reestablish the tread of a trail; build trail structures (i.e. retaining walls, check steps, staircases, fences, or barriers)

 

Marginal Duties 

• Participate in professional development opportunities when offered

 

Age Requirement

• Adults 18 or older

 

Required Qualifications 

• Minimum of 18 years of age
• Have ability to legally work in the US
• Meet SCA’s criminal background check standards
• Ability to lift 40 pounds and independently travel 2 miles over varied terrain while carrying a 40-pound pack without assistance
• Ability to perform manual, physical labor in a variety of outdoor conditions for up to 8-10 hours per day
• Interest in serving alongside and supporting others on a team
• Willingness to live alongside a team and participate in community chores and meal preparation
• Willingness to complete some project paperwork including project reports, output logs, and inventories
• With training, ability to use hand tools and power tools to complete assigned work projects

 

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 

• Experience working outdoors, on trail projects, conservation projects, or other applicable hands-on physical work, is a plus
• Experience camping for extended periods of time is a plus

 

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