The Student Conservation Association (SCA), in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), CorpsTHAT, and the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR), is looking for motivated, team-oriented high school students to join the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps this summer.
Crew members work alongside a small team of peers to make a real, hands-on difference on Pennsylvania’s public lands, completing trail, habitat, and facility projects in state parks and forests. Each crew is supervised by two trained adult crew leaders or a solo leader.
Along the way, members work and live together and will earn a paycheck, build practical job skills, and take part in environmental education, life skills, and team-building activities that connect their work to careers in conservation, natural resource management, outdoor recreation, and professional networks.
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Program Dates: Monday, June 28 – Friday, August 6, 2027 (6 weeks). *Monday, July 5 is a standard workday.
Weekly Schedule: Monday – Friday, 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM, including a 30-minute unpaid lunch break. Travel time between the meeting location and worksites is part of the paid workday.
$17.31/hour (approx. $649/week pre-tax), paid biweekly.
*All pay is subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes.
Hours – 37.5 hours/week
*Crews move to safe or indoor work during short periods of bad weather when possible. In severe or dangerous weather, the crew may be called off for an unpaid day to keep everyone safe, so 37.5 hours per week is not guaranteed.
· Must be a current, or recently graduated, high school student at the start of the program
· Must identify as Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, or late Deafened
· Must have working knowledge of, or willingness to learn, American Sign Language (ASL).
· Available for the full duration of the position
· Lives in or near the program city. Must have reliable transportation to and from the daily crew meeting location
· Must be a current Pennsylvania resident
· Have a genuine interest in conservation, public lands, or outdoor recreation; comfort working outdoors in varying and rugged weather conditions
· Available for the full duration of the position
· Completes all onboarding requirements and receives field approval from SCA staff before the program begins
· Attend every workday, arriving on time and ready to work (no more than 3 absences for the season)
· Work as a team to complete daily tasks and projects, even as routines, weather, and conditions change
· Follow instructions from crew leaders and project partners
· Bring a positive attitude and strong work ethic, and help keep the crew a safe, respectful, and welcoming place for everyone
· Follow all SCA safety policies and procedures
Housing is not provided. Crews meet each morning at a central location in the program city and travel together to worksites in an SCA vehicle. Crew leaders will contact each member and their parent/guardian with meeting details before the season starts.
*SCA provides all tools, crew work shirts, and required safety equipment. Members responsible for having sturdy, closed-toe work boots, long sturdy pants, weather-appropriate clothing, and a backpack/bag to keep personal items in.
· Trail maintenance and construction, including water management, brushing, blazing, and reroutes
· Habitat restoration, including invasive species identification and removal, data collection, and tree planting
· Facility maintenance, including painting, staining, and basic carpentry
· Building projects such as picnic tables, stairs, and signs
· Fencing and boundary line maintenance
· Take an active part in environmental education sessions and team-building activities
· Help track project accomplishments and data, and complete end-of-program feedback surveys
· Field-based work where schedules and projects can change on short notice
· Working with people of many backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives
· Possible exposure to severe weather (heavy rain, strong winds, lightning), poor air quality from wildfire smoke or smog, and high heat and humidity (heat index may exceed 100°F)
· Exposure to natural hazards such as poison ivy, oak, or sumac, tick- and mosquito-borne illness, snakes, and other wildlife
SCA is an equal opportunity employer. Selection decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and performance, without unlawful discrimination.
The Student Conservation Association (SCA) is the largest provider of hands-on environmental conservation programs for youth and adults.
Our program participants protect and restore national parks, marine sanctuaries, cultural landmarks and community green spaces at various locations across the country.
After working with the SCA, our members emerge with increased environmental awareness, social responsibility and leadership skills.
As America’s most effective youth conservation service organization, the SCA transforms lives by empowering young people of all backgrounds to plan, act, and lead while they protect and restore our natural and cultural resources.
Founded in 1957, the SCA is dedicated to building the next generation of conservation leaders while inspiring lifelong protection of the environment and our communities.
SCA's mission is to build the next generation of conservation leaders and inspire lifelong stewardship of our environment and communities by engaging young people in hands-on service to the land.
