Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps

AmeriCorps Conservation Corps Crew Member

 

Position Summary 

 

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

 

This position is part of SCA’s AmeriCorps National Direct Program. SCA AmeriCorps National Direct is a partnership between SCA and AmeriCorps which engages young adults aged 18 and over in hands-on conservation service that protect and restore public lands, waters, and recreation resources nationwide. The program provides job-skills training, support, and career pathways in environmental stewardship and infrastructure fields.

 

The Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps is a collaboration between the SCA and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). The Outdoor Corps is seeking outgoing, team-oriented individuals to serve as crew members. The Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps offers paid service experience, job training, and educational opportunities. Corps members will join a team of young adults to complete conservation and infrastructure projects on Pennsylvania’s public lands. Crew members can expect to engage in a variety of service projects related to infrastructure improvements, trail maintenance, and resource management. The Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps strongly emphasizes personal and professional growth. Members will engage in various professional development opportunities throughout the season, including trainings, certifications, networking, job shadowing, resume review, interviewing skills and environmental education activities.

 

Program Dates

March 15th, 2027 - November 18th, 2027

 

***CORPS MEMBER ORIENTATION will take place in person from March 15th - March 22nd. This is a paid, mandatory activity for all corps members. Members should plan to be away from home during this time. Lodging and meals provided.

 

Application Process:

Interviews for crew member positions will be conducted in 2 waves.

• 1st Wave - Oct 26th- Nov 13th - Candidates interviewed during this wave will be notified of selection status by Dec 4th.
• 2nd Wave - December 7th - December 18th - Candidates interviewed during this wave will be notified of selection status by Jan 1st.

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.

 

 

Member Impact

Members will make a real, hands-on difference on public lands across Pennsylvania. Throughout the season members gain practical field experience and participate in environmental education activities to build valuable professional skills. The program helps young adults explore and launch careers in natural resource management and adjacent fields. Projects may include:

• Facility maintenance such as: 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.
• Additional service activities as assigned within the scope of the core project.

Schedule 

March 15, 2027 – November 18, 2027

Hours

Monday - Wednesday 7:00am-5:00pm

Thursday 7:00am - 4:30pm

 

Some nights and weekends may be required.

 

A minimum 30-minute lunch break is required each service day. Lunch periods do not count towards the required minimum service hours. 37.5 Hours Per Week.

 

*This is a field-based position. Efforts will be made to accommodate safe and/or indoor service 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. 

 

Service Location

Crew members will meet each morning at a designated centralized meeting location in Meadville PA. 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 service day. Please consider that the commute to the service site may be an hour or more each way. This time is included in the service day.

 

Meadville crew project locations may include places such as:

 

Pymatuning State Park

MK Goddard State Park

Oil Creek State Park

Cornplanter Forest District

Presque Isle State Park

Clear Creek State Forest

Other Community Partners and Organizations

 

Immediate Supervisor/Title

Brant Underwood, Program Coordinator

 

AmeriCorps Service Term Minimum Hours Requirement

1200 hours required for AmeriCorps award eligibility

 

Preferred Requirements

• Interest and investment in leadership development and teamwork is required.
• Commitment to serving as a productive team member; demonstrating strong interpersonal and professional skills.
•  Commitment to service in environmental conditions that will include extreme heat, extreme cold, high winds, and precipitation.
•  Must be willing to learn how to use hand tools and power tools to accomplish service activities.
• Full participation in professional development activities including virtual and in person sessions.
•  Ability to communicate the presence of safety hazards through visual and auditory means.
• The position functions will comply with all AmeriCorps Prohibited Activity restrictions specified in the SCA AmeriCorps Member Service Agreement. 

 

Marginal Duties 

• Assist with maintenance and management of program supplies and materials;
• Assists with inspection and maintenance of program vehicles;
• Supports coordination of transportation, safety protocols, accessibility needs, and other supplies for programs.

Required Qualifications 

Basic Requirements

• Ages 18 - 25 at the start of the program.
• Must have housing in or near the program city. (45 Minutes or less drive to meeting location).
• Must have reliable transportation to and from crew meeting location.
• Must be a resident of Pennsylvania.
• Available for the duration of the entire service term – must complete at least 1200 service hours 
• Willing/able to complete overnight hitches during the season, spending 3 - 5 days away from home with the crew.
  • Each crew will have up to 2 overnight hitches per season. Other overnight experiences include Corps Member Orientation (March) and the All Corps Gathering (Sept)

Interpersonal and Professional Skills:

• Develop and maintain professional relationships with staff, crew leaders, and other members;
• Able to serve effectively with other team members to achieve goals and contribute to team success. 
• Understand verbal and/or written communication;
• Must be dependable, flexible, and cooperative;
• Ability to take initiative to complete the task at hand without prompting;
• Accepting of leadership and supervisory authority; and
• Completes tasks appropriately and in a timely manner.

Physical Requirements:

• Able to conduct physically demanding service in all outdoor conditions. Including:
• Ability to stand or remain on your feet for up to 8 hours per day.
• Ability to regularly walk/hike on uneven terrain, uphill or downhill, for 2 miles.
• Hike up to 5 miles, often while carrying a backpack, tools, and equipment.
• Lift heavy objects up to 40 pounds.
• Swing hand tools such as shovels, pick mattocks and mcleods for 6+ hours per day.
• Ability to perform duties in all weather conditions including extreme heat, cold, rain.
• Ability to communicate the presence of safety hazards through visual and auditory means.
• Must be able to model safe and professional behavior at all times including wearing all appropriate personal protective equipment - PPE

 

AmeriCorps Eligibility Requirements: 

This position is part of a specialized SCA AmeriCorps program, and if you are selected, you will be serving as an SCA AmeriCorps member. To be eligible for this position you must meet these basic AmeriCorps Eligibility Requirements:

• Being a citizen, permanent resident, or national of the United States; 
• Being at least 18 years or older; 
• Having a high school diploma or equivalent or actively working to complete; 
• Being willing to undergo National Service Criminal History Check after acceptance of position, including criminal background, sex offender and FBI checks.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Interest in hands-on, outdoor service activities is preferred.
• Interest in pursuing a career in conservation or a related field is preferred.
• Individuals over 21 with a clean driving record will be required to drive an SCA vehicle at times during the field season.

Commitment Required

The program’s term of service is an 8-month (Three Quarter-Time, 1200 hours) commitment that will last March 15th, 2027 through November 18th, 2027.

Members will serve 40 hours per week.

 

Living Accommodations 

Living accommodations are not provided as part of this position.

 

Personal Vehicle Requirement

A Personal vehicle is recommended for this position. Those without access to a personal vehicle must have other reliable transportation to the crew meeting location.

 

Compensation  

• Amount of Living Allowance member will receive: $650/week
• Amount of the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award being offered for successful completion of the member term of service (1200 Hours): $5,176.50
  •  All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes. 
• Eligible for Federal Student Loan forbearance and interest payment deferment through AmeriCorps for qualifying student loans.

Training and Additional Benefits 

• Option to enroll in Health, Dental, and Vision Benefits through AmeriCorps (individual enrollment only)
• Training will not exceed 20% of total service hours
• AmeriCorps and SCA Orientation
• SCA Risk Management
• Sexual Harassment/Drug Abuse in the Workplace
• Workforce Development & Job Readiness (Regular, throughout the season)
• Technical Field Skills Training (Regular, project based throughout the season)
•  Crew Member Orientation (March 15th – 22nd, 2027)
• All Corps Gathering (Sept 27th – Sept 30th 2027)
• Holidays Off

Equal Opportunity Statement 

SCA is an equal opportunity employer. Selection decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and performance, without unlawful discrimination.