Program Dates: June 10, 2024 - August 17, 2024

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, community green spaces, and much more across the country.

Position Description:

Embark on an epic journey as a Corps Member for the SCA 2024 John Muir Conservancy Restoration Corps. This immersive program invites you to join a 5-person team and venture into the heart of breathtaking High Sierra within Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park. No prior experience is needed – just a passion for conservation, a love for the outdoors, and a willingness to get your hands dirty.

Project Details:

The team will be working above 11,000 feet in Inyo National Forest on a restoration project at Chicken Spring Lake. The crew will be removing and/or condensing user-made campsites around the lake to improve the existing alpine environment. The team will collaborate with John Muir Conservancy interns to receive project guidance and feedback. Restoration techniques include setting icebergs, moving longs, soil decompaction and occasionally re-seeding. If the project finishes early the crew will travel to Soldier Lake in Sequoia National Park to work on a similar campsite restoration project. Get ready for a unique experience where you'll camp in backcountry country settings for your 8 day/10 hour work hitches. Be prepared to live without the comforts of electricity, running water, and cell phone reception while fully embracing the camaraderie of your crew. This crew will camp for the entirety of the program.

The crew should be prepared to work from a backcountry camp for the entirety of their field season and adhere to Leave No Trace minimum impact camping policies as advised by the National Park Service. Under this grant, the Conservancy and the NPS are responsible for the sustainability of the restoration work for 25 years. Therefore, it is critical that all restoration crews satisfy quality control/ quality assurance guidelines set by the Conservancy and Agency partners. This includes documentation of work conducted, including before and after photographs and detailed descriptions.

Living the Trail Life: Get ready for a unique experience where you'll camp in both front country and backcountry settings, carrying in all the essentials for your 8-10 day work hitches. The crew should also expect to be supported by pack animals and resupply of food and camp essentials. Be prepared to live without the comforts of electricity, running water, and cell phone reception while fully embracing the camaraderie of your crew. Depending on project logistics, the crew should expect to spend the majority to the entirety of their crew experience camping in the backcountry.

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  Member Benefits:
  • $650 one-time round-trip travel allowance
  • $300 weekly living allowance
  • AmeriCorps eligibility ($1,459 education award upon completion of no less than 300 hours)
  • Professional Development Opportunities: Wilderness First Aid, Leave No Trace
• Qualifications: Passion for the outdoors and commitment to intensive crew living
  • Willingness to engage in manual labor in all weather conditions
  • Desire to make a positive impact on the environment
  • Preferred: Backpacking experience, community service experience, valid driver’s license with a clean motor vehicle record, and a taste for community living
• Member Responsibilities: - - Complete project tasks as assigned; whether it is trimming back brush from the trail, working with your team to move a large rock, or doing dishes. Full engagement is expected in all work projects and community activities.
• Assist the Project Leader with meal planning, developing emergency response plans, and completing logistical tasks.
• Recording work totals and creating reports for agency partners.
• Interfacing with general public and partner organizations in a manner that reflects positively upon the crew, organization, and agency.

For more information on what past crews have done and what being on a Corps team is like, check out some of these final reports from similar crews.

Sequoia National Forest Trail Corps Final Report

Your Impact:

This is more than a summer job; it's an opportunity to be part of a community dedicated to conservation and personal growth. You'll not only develop technical skills in trail work but also cultivate soft skills in teamwork, communication, and leadership. Your engagement will extend beyond the trails – from assisting with meal planning to interfacing with the public and partner organizations, you'll be an integral part of the Corps experience.

Join Us: If you're ready to swap a traditional summer job for an adventure-packed conservation journey, apply now and be part of the SCA 2024 Summer Sierra Nevada Mountains Trail Corps - where your passion for the outdoors meets purpose. The Student Conservation Association, Inc. is an Equal-Opportunity Employer.

For Members who have accepted this position (Please click on the links below to review the steps you need to take to prepare for your position)

Preparing for your Corps Team Position

Onboarding for Your Corps Team Position

Trail Corps Team Gear List