Field Leader - South Bay Urban Green Youth Crew

Position Summary 

The South Bay Urban Green Youth Crew will work as a team to address critical land and conservation needs of open spaces across Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties. Projects will include trail maintenance and invasive species removal, habitat restoration, waterway protection and more. The team will work at a variety of sites throughout the summer including with the Santa Clara Open Space Authority, Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, UC Blue Oak Ranch Reserve, and others. The team will have recreation and education opportunities on Fridays, and will engage in career education with local professionals in the field.

Week 4 of the program the crew will go camping outside of the Bay Area and conduct a conservation project with National Forest staff. SCA leaders will pick up and drop off members at central location. Members are expected to be prepared for the workday: on time, with their lunch and water packed. Participants should wear all leather boots to work each day. SCA has a limited number of boots to loan members who don’t have their own (members can message staff to request boots). Working environment might be cool in the morning and hot during the day; crew members should dress in layers to be prepared. SCA will provide gloves, helmets, eye protection, and training in the safe use of hand tools.

Acceptance of this position means the members understand it is a full-time commitment during the dates of the program, and will communicate to their crew leaders if there is any potential conflict.

The crew will consist of 8 youth members and 2 young adult leaders.

Location 

San Jose, CA

Schedule 

June 8th, 2026 - August 7th, 2026

Key Duties and Responsibilities 

• Supervising and leading a crew of young adult members in conservation service work and activities that could include:
  • Trail maintenance
  • Planting, pruning, watering, and mulching
  • Urban farming
  • Invasive species management and mitigation
  • Basic carpentry and infrastructure projects
  • Conduct site visits with land management staff and complete job hazard assessments.
• Driving an SCA Provided vehicle to facilitate crew member transportation needs and to transport tools and materials throughout Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties.
• Leading Environmental Education and Career Awareness Activities for youth members
• Leading a camping trip for youth members
• Communicating with youth members and their guardians, land management partners, and the general public to accomplish program goals and ensure a safe environment for crew members.

This position will generally require walking over uneven terrain and working in parks and natural spaces while working in a team-based setting. The service work will be physically demanding at times and may include repetitive tasks. This position is ideal for someone with a can-do attitude, problem solving skills, an attentiveness to situations and members' needs, a competence in engaging in care and empathy, and a strong sense of accountability to one's self and the work.

Marginal Duties 

• Supporting members to complete timecards on a biweekly basis.
• Tracking metrics and outputs with respect to project activities

Required Qualifications 

• Local to the Bay Area, ideally South Bay resident
• 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
• Experience working with youth or young adults, teaching or environmental education
• Attend Leader Training in June, specific dates and times TBD
• 21 years of age
• US Work Authorization
• Pass a Wilderness First Aid Certification course
• Valid driver’s license for 3 years and pass SCA Motor Vehicle Report standards

Preferred Qualifications 

• Wilderness First Aid or Responder Certification
• Experience with conservation projects including trail building, tree planting, urban agriculture

Hours 

40 per week

Living Accommodations 

Not provided

Compensation  

$900/week

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

Additional Benefits 

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.