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
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
Required Qualifications
Preferred Qualifications
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.
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.
