2026 Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps - State College Adult Crew (Summer 2026)

Position Summary 

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. The Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps offers paid work experience, job training, and educational opportunities. Throughout the season members will also participate in education and training activities related to resource management, environmental education and recreation.

 

The State College Crew is open to young adults ages 18+ who are currently enrolled in an accredited college or university. The State College Crew will complete conservation and infrastructure projects at state parks in the region such as:

 

Penn-Roosevelt State Park

Whipple Dam State Park

Greenwood Furnace State Park

Poe Paddy State Park

Poe Valley State Park

Reeds Gap State Park

R.B Winter State Park

Ravensburg State Park

Bald Eagle State Forest

 

Program Dates

June 29th, 2026 - August 7th, 2026

 

Application Process:

The application will remain open until Jan 1st however given the volume of applicants that we receive, position may fill prior to Jan 1st. Applicants are encouraged to apply early. Candidates not selected for our initial cohort will be placed on a backfill list.

 

Please note that the Outdoor Corps is currently hiring for 60+ positions across the state. It may take several weeks for a staff member to follow up on your application.

 

Daily Schedule:

Monday - Friday 7:30am-3:30pm

Lunches are 30 minutes, unpaid

 

*This is a field based position. Efforts will be made to accommodate safe and/or indoor work during short periods of inclement weather but crew members may be called-off during periods of extreme weather and therefore, 40 hours per week is not guaranteed in the event of inclement weather events. 

 

Crew members will meet each morning at a centralized meeting location in State College. At the meeting location, crew members will load into the crew truck and travel out to work locations together. Crews return to the meeting location by the end of the work day. Please consider that the commute to the worksite may be an hour or more each way. This time is included in the work day.

 

Work Project May Include:

• Facility maintenance projects 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.
• Other work as assigned.

Marginal Duties 

• Assist with vehicle checks and tool inventory and maintenance
• Assist in documenting project outputs
• Assist in project logistics and planning

Required Qualifications 

• Ages 18+ at the start of the program.
• Must be currently enrolled in an accredited college or university.
• Must be a resident of Pennsylvania.
• Able to conduct physically demanding work in all outdoor conditions. Including:
  • The ability to hike up to 4 miles per day.
  • Regularly lift/carry up to 40 pounds.
  • Swing hand tools such as shovels, pick mattocks and McLeods for 6+ hours per day.
• Able to work effectively with other team members to achieve goals and contribute to team success. 
• Must be able to model safe and professional behavior at all times including wearing all appropriate personal protective equipment - PPE.
• Must have housing in or near state college (45 Minutes or less drive to meeting location).
• Must have reliable transportation to and from crew meeting location.

Preferred Qualifications 

• An interest in conservation careers, trade skills, or a related field in highly encouraged.
• Individuals over 21 with a clean driving record will be required to drive an SCA vehicle at times during the field season.