Field Leader - Cleveland Young Tree Care Team

SCA Cleveland Young Tree Care Team Leader

    

About us:  

  

The Student Conservation Association (SCA) is the largest provider of hands-on environmental conservation programs for youth and adults. Program participants protect and restore national parks, national forests, wildlife refuges, marine sanctuaries, cultural landmarks, and community green spaces across the country. 

  

SCA’s Urban Green program advances urban climate resilience by protecting, restoring and enhancing public lands and waters as well as natural, cultural, and historical resources across the United States. Service activities focus critical stewardship projects that improve and protect at-risk ecosystems and resources, especially in underserved urban communities. 

  

Position Description:

  

Project Location: Community Tree Planting sites in and around Cleveland

 

The Cleveland Tree Care Team Leader will lead team projects on the ground and complete urban and community forestry work alongside team members. In addition, the leader will track and manage the crew schedule and budget, and complete weekly administrative duties including submitting output logs, reporting incidents, checking in with SCA Program staff, approving member timecards, and managing the SCA team vehicle. The team leader has a unique opportunity to advance community forestry and environmental justice in Cleveland, while working to build the next generation of conservation leaders.  

 

SCA's Cleveland Tree Care Team works together to advance environmental justice by maintaining Cleveland's urban forest in low-canopy neighborhoods. The team is partnering with community groups that have identified priority tree care needs, including watering, young tree training and pruning, mulching, staking, and fencing, invasive plant removal, general site maintenance, and tracking. In addition, the crew will engage with the local community and partner organizations by supporting related community tree care projects, sharing information about the benefits trees provide, and additional community engagement projects centered on collaboration, learning, and the urban forest. 

  

The Cleveland Tree Care Team will consist of 3 young adult members (18 years of age or older) and 1 Team Leader. Members meet at a centralized location and are transported in an SCA vehicle to their work sites each day by the Team Leader. The team will work together through a variety of weather conditions during their season. Members should feel able to perform physical labor outdoors for up to 8 hours per day, and lift and carry 50 lbs or more occasionally.

 

In addition to regular project work with partners in Cleveland, this Tree Care team will have the opportunity to participate formal and informal trainings and events in northeast Ohio and online.

 

Specifically, the Field Leader will: 

• 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 environmental 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; 
• Perform tasks as a Program Administrator, by organizing logistics, completing documentation, managing a budget, and communicating with SCA staff.

 

 

Field Leader Benefits 

• Salary: $850/week living allowance (pre-tax)*  
• SCA warm weather uniform package
• Four (4) days of paid time off (PTO) during the field season (June 8 - September 15)
• Access to a national network of professional resources and alumni peer group 
• Training - SCA Field Leader Training, Wilderness First Aid, ongoing professional development training and mentorship, urban forestry training and option to seek relevant certifications, value $2000+ 

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

 

Field Leader Responsibilities

 

CREW SUPERVISION AND SAFETY: Supervise crew members during daily tasks, maintaining a physically and emotio