Conservation Begins Here.

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, marine sanctuaries, cultural landmarks, and community green spaces across the country.

Training Dates: 04/14/2024 to 05/03/2024 (paid training)

Program Dates: 05/06/2024 - 11/21/2024

Location: Cleveland, Ohio

Primary Responsibilities:

Come lead a Trail Corps completing high-impact trail projects in the varied terrain of Northeast Ohio. The team will be comprised of 3-4 young adult members (18 years of age or older).

As Crew Leader, you will work to guide and inspire a team of young adults serving in the Cleveland, Ohio area. Your team will engage in project work focused on trail building and maintenance, working with trail builders and land managers from Cleveland Metroparks, one of the nation's most visited park systems.

Specifically, the Project Leader will:

• Act as a 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 environmental 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
• Perform tasks as a Program Administrator, by organizing logistics, completing documentation, managing a budget, and communicating with SCA staff

Trail projects generally include working with hand tools and small equipment to clear the trail corridor, install grade dips and drainage structures, rehab and reestablish the tread of a trail, build structures (i.e. retaining walls, check steps, staircases, fences, or barriers), reroute the trail to more sustainable locations, bench new trails, decommission social trails, or log out trees that have fallen on the trail. Trails within the Cleveland Metroparks see hundreds of visitors each week, and crews should be prepared for a wide variety of projects to build and maintain sustainable trails given that unusually high intensity of use.

The Trail Corps schedule is Mon - Thurs, ten (10) hours per day. Fieldwork is physically and mentally demanding. This crew is primarily based in the front-country. The season may include several camping "hitches" or weeks spent working and camping on-site with local partners. Access to amenities such as cell service and electricity during hitches may be limited.

Leader Qualifications:

• Ability to perform manual, physical labor for up to 10 hours per day, exposed to the elements, and must occasionally lift and/or move 50 pounds or more, while maintaining a productive work environment for team members
• Experience with conservation work skills or related skills preferred – i.e., trail maintenance, trail construction, habitat restoration, chainsaw, carpentry, landscaping, and/or gardening
• Must be able to attend SCA Crew Leader training out-of-state from 04/14 - 05/03
• 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
• Experience working with youth or young adults, teaching, or environmental education a plus

Leader Benefits and Compensation:

• $800 weekly salary
• Cellphone reimbursement ($45 per month)
• Partner provided housing is available at no cost, including utilities and Wi-Fi. Housing located within a 30-minute drive of project meeting site.
• Leader will receive specialized leader and conservation work skills training from SCA valued at $1500, including Wilderness First Aid and chainsaw training
• Mentorship and professional development from SCA staff

The Student Conservation Association, Inc. is an equal-opportunity employer. Click here to learn more about Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at the SCA.