Field Leader - 2026 Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps - State College Adult Crew

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 as Project Leaders for the 2026 field season. Project Leaders train, supervise, and administer a crew of five young adults during the field season as they work on a conservation projects, career development, and environmental education. Project Leaders work closely with SCA and DCNR staff to ensure a successful and meaningful season for their crews.

 

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

 

Position Dates  6/10/26 - 8/11/26

• Total paid days: 45 days (9 weeks)
• Mandatory Leader Training: 6/10/26 – 6/23/26  (Virtual and In-Person sessions)
  • Virtual Sessions (Zoom): 6/10/26 - 6/11/26; 6/23/26
• In-Person Conservation Work Skills: 6/14 /26 - 6/21/26
  • Location - Training site: Laurelville Retreat Center, Mt. Pleasant, PA
  • Fully paid training with transportation, lodging, and all meals provided. Travel and overnight, on-site stay required at training site full-time from 6/14/26 – 6/21/26. Training details will be shared in advance.
• Leader Prep Week: 6/24/26 – 6/25/26 
• Members in the Field: 6/30/26 – 8/7/26
• Leader Season Debrief: 8/10/26 - 8/11/26
  • Travel and an overnight stay are required. Group lodging and meals provided.

Field Season Schedule: Crew hours are Monday-Friday 7:30am-3:30pm. 

*Project Leaders may need to complete tasks outside of these hours

 

Key Duties and Responsibilities 

• Act as a Crew Supervisor, by facilitating teamwork, managing field-based tasks, and guiding crew dynamics.
• Serve as an Advisor, by training members in technical conservation work skills, mentoring personal and professional development, and teaching environment stewardship.
• Act as a Project Manager, by communicating with agency park partners, ensuring successful and timely completion of work projects, and upholding a positive representation of SCA. Projects Leaders also coordinate professional development and environmental education opportunities throughout the season.
• Perform tasks as a Program Administrator, by organizing logistics, completing documentation, managing a budget, and communicating with SCA staff.

Marginal Duties

• Coordinate overnight hitch logistics such as lodging and grocery shopping.
• Support program planning through debriefs with SCA and agency partner staff.
• Use industry standards to collect and record field data.

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

Required Qualifications 

• Minimum 1 year of leadership, teaching, or supervisory experience
• Strong preference for experience working with youth or young adults ages 18-30 in a coaching or mentoring role.
• Experience with conservation work skills or related skills- i.e., trail maintenance, trail construction, habitat restoration, carpentry, landscaping, and gardening.
• 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
• Strong communication and organizational skills
• 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 MVR that meets SCA standards Must be able t