Young Adult Program

The nine-month Young Adult Program is your chance to train for careers in state parks and forests while making a difference.

• Work in crews of up to five members on a variety of conservation projects like trail maintenance, planting, invasive species control, and infrastructure improvements.
• Get paid while gaining certifications, networking opportunities, and career training.
• Develop skills in conservation, leadership, and environmental stewardship.

The PA Outdoor Corps are committed to equitable access to green jobs—applicants from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply!

Minimum Qualifications

• Age 18-25 at the start of the program.
• Ability to conduct manual work in all outdoor conditions, including hiking up to four miles daily, regularly lifting up to 40 pounds, and swinging hand tools for 6+ hours per day.
• Ability to spend up to a week away from home for training and overnight work periods (hitches).
• Ability to work effectively with other team members to achieve goals and contribute to team success.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a team of peers.
• Must be able to model safe and professional behavior at all times, including wearing all appropriate personal protective equipment.
• Must be a resident of Pennsylvania.
• Must have housing in or near the program city and reliable transportation to the daily meeting location.
• Participants over age 21 driving SCA vehicles must have a clean driving record.

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.

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
• Current Wilderness First Aid and CPR certification required by the start of training
• 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 to meet SCA’s criminal background check standards