Field Leader - Summer 2026 Rock Creek Youth Crew

Position Summary 

This program at Rock Creek Park offers crew members hands-on training in conservation skills and workforce development. In partnership with the SCA and National Park Service staff, participants will complete key conservation projects in various sections of Rock Creek Park, which might include Montrose Park, Fort Totten, Piney Branch, and more. Projects may include trail rehabilitation, erosion control, and invasive species removal. Daily safety briefings will prepare crew members to work confidently in outdoor settings. Benefits include compensation, professional development, green job exploration, SCA gear, and alumni support upon program completion, providing a strong foundation for careers in conservation.

 

Location 

Washington, DC

 

Schedule 

May 25, 2026 - August 21, 2026

 

Key Duties and Responsibilities 

The Field Leader will guide a team of six DC metro area high school students in a workforce development program focused on natural resource conservation and recreation accessibility. This program provides environmental education and hands-on experience in topics like forest health, tree biology, citizen science, and natural resource preservation. Crew projects include trail building, invasive plant removal, erosion control projects, and conservation-focused activities promoting stewardship, green jobs, and environmental justice. The Crew Leader will serve as a supervisor, fostering teamwork and managing field tasks, as an advisor, training members in conservation skills and environmental stewardship, as a project manager, coordinating with park partners to ensure project completion, and as an administrator, handling logistics, budgeting, and communication. Additionally, the Crew Leader will transport the crew daily using an SCA rental van after passing required safety checks.

 

Marginal Duties 

Crew leaders should expect to complete ~3-5 hours/weekly to complete crew leader administration tasks. These tasks may include coding expense receipts, uploading photos from the field, writing incident reports, attending weekly staff check-in meetings, or reviewing member time logs, among other things.

 

Required Qualifications 

Must be a college or graduate student enrolled in a U.S.-based institution; Ability to perform manual, physical labor for up to 8 hours per day, exposed to the elements, and must occasionally lift and/or move 40 pounds or more; Must be able to attend paid Crew Leader training; 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 pass SCA Motor Vehicle Report standards; Must be able to meet SCA’s criminal background check standards; Housing is not provided, Leader must live locally to the DC metro area

 

 

Preferred Qualifications 

Experience working with youth or young adults, teaching or environmental education preferred; Leaders will work in new outdoor environments, being excited and open to new experiences is strongly desired; Experience working in a team; Open to learning new skills, more about conservation, and environmental education

 

Hours 

40 per week

 

Living Accommodations 

NO HOUSING PROVIDED - Leader must live local to the DC metro area

 

Compensation  

$900 per week ($22.50 per hour equivalent). Bi-weekly Pay.

All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes. 

 

Additional Benefits 

Defensive Drive Training

First Aid/CPR

Wilderness First Aid Training

 

Equal Opportunity Statement 

The Student Conservation Association, Inc., is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The SCA strives to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all staff members and is committed to maintaining a work atmosphere where lifestyles may grow personally and professionally.