Field Leader - Charles County Young Adult Crew

Position Summary 

This Young Adult Crew, consisting of 1 Leader and 2 Young Adult Members, will support nature-based climate resilience efforts in vulnerable neighborhoods throughout Charles County, Maryland. The crew will carry out a variety of community forestry projects, programs, and activities, including maintaining more than 700 trees in pocket forests and at school sites through planting, watering, staking, mulching, and weeding. The crew may also develop and deliver educational programming to engage the public in community forestry and climate resilience, as well as support data collection and monitoring related to tree maintenance, urban heat, and air quality.

Hosting Organization

The Resilience Authority of Charles County, Inc.

Location 

Waldorf, MD

Schedule 

September 7, 2026 - December 4, 2026

Key Duties and Responsibilities 

Act as a Crew Supervisor, by 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.

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 

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; 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 pass SCA Motor Vehicle Report standards; Must be able to 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.

General Physical Requirements

• Understand, adhere to, and communicate with others regarding hazards, procedures, and safety policies.
• Manage outdoor and environmental exposure (e.g., temperature, wind, sun, etc.) in a variety of weather conditions. 
• Create an appropriate learning environment for members to learn new skills and develop healthy relationships.
• Facilitate group processes including group decision-making, hazard analyses, conflict management.
• Communicate with program supervisor regarding crew, equipment, and programmatic needs.
• Assess members' skill level, reliability, and judgment in order to adjust supervision level according to the progress of the crew.
• Comprehend and uphold all SCA Policies and Procedures throughout the position after successfully completing all SCA Leader online and in-person trainings.
• Respond appropriately and in line with SCA incident management protocols in times of high stress, such as when encountering large and/or potentially hazardous animals, severe weather, medical emergency, or other incident.
• Complete various administrative tasks including managing a budget, arranging accommodations, retaining receipts and reconciling purchases, communicating with agency contact, etc., as applicable to the position.

Working Conditions

• Work settings require the ability to positively interact with people of varying perspectives.;Work settings may be located in natural environments and regionally significant locations that require respect for the land and local peoples.
• Work environment may be in inclement and severe weather conditions, including heavy rain and flash flooding, gusty and strong winds, foggy or decreased visibility, lightning events, and/or decreased or inclement air quality conditions due to wildfire smoke or smog.
• Work may take place in warm temperatures and adverse heat conditions which could include temperatures in some regions up to 110°F or hotter.;Work may take place in cold temperatures and adverse winter weather which could include temperatures in some regions -20°F or colder with wind, snow, and sleet.
• Work settings may involve exposure to natural and environmental hazards, such as poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac; harmful, poisonous, or disease-carrying ticks, mosquitos, insects, snakes, bears, and other wildlife.

Hours 

40 per week

Living Accommodations 

No housing provided: candidates within a commutable distance of Charles County, Maryland are encouraged to apply.

Compensation  

• $920/weekly
• $45/month cell phone stipend.
• Biweekly pay schedule.

All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes. 

Additional Benefits 

• Defensive Drive Training
• First Aid/CPR
• Wilderness First Aid Training
• Possible additional benefits include attending local community forestry conferences and participating in Chesapeake Bay Landscaping Professionals Training certificate program.

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.