What are the responsibilities and job description for the Field Leader - Charles County Summer Youth Corps position at Student Conservation Association, Inc?
Position Summary
This position directly supports Nature-Based climate resilience in Charles County by caring for native trees planted across public schools. Project tasks may include watering, mulching, staking, pruning, and monitoring young native trees. Through this work, participants will gain hands-on conservation experience and help address the impacts of climate change in their community.
Location
La Plata, MD
Schedule
June 1, 2026 - August 21, 2026
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Act as a Crew Supervisor, by co-leading a team of crew members, 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 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
- After passing SCA MVR check and driver safety courses, Leader must be able to safely transport crew from morning pick-up, worksites, and afternoon drop off the SCA rental truck and/or van
Marginal Duties
Crew leaders should expect to complete ~3-5 hours/weekly to complete crew leader administration tasks. These tasks may include coding expense receipts, uploading photos from the field, writing incident reports, attending weekly staff check-in meetings, or reviewing member time logs, among other things.
Required Qualifications
- Perform manual, physical labor for up to 8 hours per day, exposed to the elements, and occasionally lift and/or move 40 pounds or more
- Minimum of 21 years of age
- US Work Authorization
- Valid driver’s license for 3 years and pass SCA Motor Vehicle Report standards
- Meet SCA’s criminal background check standards
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working with youth or young adults, teaching or environmental education preferred
- Leaders will work in new outdoor environments, being excited and open to new experiences is strongly desired
- Experience working in a team
- Open to learning new skills
- Urban forestry, arboriculture, or tree care experience is a plus
Hours
40 per week
Living Accommodations
No housing provided: candidates must live near Charles County, Maryland
Compensation
- $900/week paid bi-weekly
- $45/month cell phone stipend
All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes.
Additional Benefits
- Defensive Drive Training
- Wilderness First Aid Training
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.