2027 Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps - Trail Crew

Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps Ameri. Corps Trail 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 Ameri. Corps National Direct Program. SCA Ameri. Corps National Direct is a partnership between SCA and Ameri. Corps 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 Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps offers paid service experience, job training, and educational opportunities. The Trail Crew will focus a majority of the season on the restoration of the Glen Onoko Falls Trail in Jim Thorpe PA.

This restoration is comprised mostly of technical stonework such as staircases and retaining walls. The crew may also be deployed to other priority projects in parks and forests throughout Pennsylvania. The Trail Crew consists of six members, two assistant leaders, and two leaders. Program Dates March 15th, 2027

• November 18th, 2027 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. Member Impact Members will make a real, hands-on difference on public lands in Pennsylvania. During 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. The Trail Crew will contribute directly to the redevelopment of the Glen Onoko Falls Trail at Lehigh Gorge State Park. This service will include: Maintaining and restoring existing trail infrastructure Building new stone staircases and retaining walls Technical rigging to move and source stones Shaping and setting stones Defining the tread surface and closing down social trails Implementing sustainable trail design practices such as: water management, benching, trail assessments, trail clearing, blazing, new construction and re-routes. Additional service activities as assigned within the scope of the core project. Schedule March 15, 2027 – November 18, 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 . Hours 8 days on with 6 days off. (Wednesday to Wednesday) Standard hours are 7am-5pm. Start and end times may fluctuate throughout the season depending on weather conditions and project needs. 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. Service Location Most service activities will take place on the Glen Onoko Falls Trail at Lehigh Gorge State Park in Jim Thorpe PA. The crew will occasionally be assigned to other parks and forests during the season. Immediate Supervisor/Title Brant Underwood, Program Coordinator, 804-347-7030, [email protected] Ameri. Corps Service Term Minimum Hours Requirement 1200 hours required for Ameri. Corps award eligibility Preferred Qualifications 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. 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 Ameri. Corps Prohibited Activity restrictions specified in the SCA Ameri. Corps 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 21 - 25 at the start of the program Willing and able to complete overnight hitches spending 8 days away from home at a time. Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation to and from hitch locations Must be a resident of Pennsylvania. Available for the duration of the entire service term – must complete at least 1200 service hours Interpersonal and Professional Requirements: Develop and maintain professional relationships with staff, crew leaders, and other members; Able to live and 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. Ameri. Corps Eligibility Requirements: This position is part of a specialized SCA Ameri. Corps program, and if you are selected, you will be serving as an SCA Ameri. Corps member . To be eligible for this position you must meet these basic Ameri. Corps 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

Previous trail building experience Previous experience with group living or hitch based work Interest in pursuing a career in conservation or a related field 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 While serving on the Glen Onoko Falls Trail the crew will be housed at Hickory Run State Park. All meals are provided during hitches. For other projects, housing will be provided locally. When park housing is not an option, the crew may be required to tent camp and set up base camp.

Crew members will live and serve together while on hitch. SCA emphasizes the importance of community on our crews. Crew members should expect to fully participate in activities related to communal living on their team. To ensure a well-run team, crew members must all participate in house and crew responsibilities, including shared chores, cooking group meals, grocery shopping, and other team-based responsibilities.

No accommodations are provided during off days. Members must have a residence in PA to return to during these times. Personal Vehicle Requirement A personal vehicle is required for this position.

Compensation

$675/week Amount of the Segal Ameri. Corps 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 Ameri. Corps for qualifying student loans.

Training and Additional Benefits Trail Crew Specific Trainings Include: Technical Rigging Training Trail Design and Management

• Building with Rock Corps Wide Trainings and Benefits includes: Option to enroll in Health, Dental, and Vision benefits through Ameri. Corps (individual enrollment only) 8 Hour First Aid with CPR/AED Ameri. Corps and SCA Orientation SCA Risk Management Sexual Harassment/Drug Abuse in the Workplace Workforce Development & Job Readiness (regular, throughout the season) Crew Member Orientation (March 15th – 22nd, 2027) All Corps Gathering (Sept 27 th – Sept 30 th , 2027) Holidays Off Training will not exceed 20% of total service hours Service Conditions Service schedules and projects may change on short notice or be ambiguous. Service settings require the ability to positively interact with people of varying cultures and perspectives. Inclement and severe weather conditions, including heavy rain and flash flooding, gusty and strong winds, foggy or decreased visibility, and lightning events. Decreased or inclement air quality conditions due to wildfire smoke or smog. Warm temperatures and adverse heat conditions which could include temperatures in some regions up to 110°F or hotter. Cold temperatures and adverse winter weather which could include temperatures in some regions -20°F or colder with wind, snow, and sleet. Exposure to natural and environmental hazards such as, poison ivy, oak, or sumac, tick and mosquito -borne illness, snakes, and potential for other wildlife encounters. Equal Opportunity Statement SCA is an equal opportunity employer. Selection decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and performance, without unlawful discrimination.