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. The Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps offers paid work 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. Throughout the season members will also participate in education and training activities related to resource management, environmental education and recreation.
Altoona crew project locations may include places such as:
Prince Gallitzin State Park
Greenwood Furnace State Park
Canoe Creek State Park
Trough Creek State Park
Shawnee State Park
Buchannon State Forest
Blue Knob State Park
Black Moshannon State Park
Rothrock State Forest
Other community partners and organizations
Program Dates
June 30th, 2025 - November 26th, 2025
Daily Schedule:
Monday - Wednesday 7:00am-5:00pm
Thursday 7:00am - 4:30pm
- Lunches are 30 minutes, unpaid.
Crew members will meet each morning at a centralized meeting location in Altoona. 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 work day. Please consider that the commute to the worksite may be an hour or more each way. This time is included in the work day.
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
Marginal Duties
- Work collaboratively on a small team
- Fully participate in Environmental Education opportunities
- Participate in professional development days including virtual and in person sessions throughout the season
Required Qualifications
- Ages 18 - 25 at the start of the program
- Able to conduct physically demanding work in all outdoor conditions. Including the ability to hike up to 4 miles per day and regularly lift/carry up to 40 pounds
- Able to work collaboratively on a small team of peers
- Must be able to model safe and professional behavior at all times including wearing all appropriate Personal Protective Equipment - PPE
- 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
- Willing/able to complete overnight hitches during the season, spending 3 - 5 days away from home with the crew.
Preferred Qualifications
- An interest in conservation careers, trade skills, or a related field in highly encouraged.
- Individuals over 21 with a clean driving record will be required to drive an SCA vehicle at times during the field season.
Living Accommodations
No housing is provided. Members must have/secure their own housing for the duration of the program
Compensation
$15.50/hr paid bi-weekly. (75 Total hours per pay period)
All allowances/pay are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes.
Personal Vehicle Information
Recommended for transport to daily meeting location
Additional Benefits
- PTO
- Paid Holidays
- Optional Employee Sponsored Benefits (Health, Dental, Vision, Retirement)
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.
Physical requirements and working conditions specific to the position are available in the full job description.
