The SCA Refuge Maintenance Specialist will assist the Refuge with a variety of projects that support daily refuge operations, visitor access, habitat stewardship, and facility maintenance while providing the candidate with valuable career experience in public lands management. Activities include but are not limited to: performing trail and boardwalk maintenance, assisting with groundskeeping and landscaping projects, supporting facility repairs and upkeep, operating hand and power tools safely, maintaining equipment and storage areas, assisting with habitat restoration projects, and supporting refuge events and operations. The candidate will gain hands-on experience in maintaining public use facilities, supporting conservation infrastructure, and assisting Refuge staff with projects that improve visitor experiences and protect natural resources. These experiential learning opportunities will be hands-on, engaging, and will utilize resources throughout the Refuge. The duties of this position will support Refuge goals through maintaining facilities, improving visitor access, supporting habitat management efforts, and assisting with operational needs across the Refuge.
Hosting Organization
John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge
Location
Philadelphia, PA
Schedule
August 24, 2026 - May 28, 2027
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Performing trail, boardwalk, and fence maintenance; Assisting with groundskeeping including mowing, trimming, landscaping, and invasive plant removal; Supporting maintenance and repair of Refuge facilities, buildings, kiosks, signs, and public use areas; Operating and maintaining hand tools, power tools, and maintenance equipment safely; Assisting with habitat restoration projects including planting native vegetation and maintaining pollinator or wetland areas; Supporting daily Refuge operations and preparation for public programs and special events; Maintaining equipment storage areas and workspaces; Assisting with trash removal, custodial tasks, and upkeep of visitor access areas; Working collaboratively with Refuge staff, volunteers, and community partners on maintenance and stewardship projects
Marginal Duties
Assisting with biology and visitor services teams including habitat restoration and public events;
Supporting volunteer workdays;
Assisting with offsite community stewardship projects;
Attending staff meetings and trainings; other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
drivers license required; experience working outdoors and performing physical labor; ability to safely lift and carry equipment and materials; ability to work in varying weather conditions; resume should be submitted. This SCA Position is authorized under the Public Land Corps Authority. All participants must be between the ages of 16 and 30, inclusive, or veterans age 35 or younger. Participants must also be a citizen or national of the United States or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States. Hours served can be applied toward the Public Land Corps (PLC) hiring authority.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with maintenance, landscaping, trail work, carpentry, construction, groundskeeping, or equipment operation; familiarity with hand and power tools; experience working outdoors in team settings; interest in conservation, public lands, or facilities management.
This SCA Position is authorized under the Public Land Corps Authority. All participants must be between the ages of 16 and 30, inclusive, or veterans age 35 or younger. Participants must also be a citizen or national of the United States or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States. Hours served can be applied toward the Public Land Corps (PLC) hiring authority.
General Physical Requirements
Able to understand, adhere to, and communicate with others regarding hazards, procedures, and safety policies.
Able to independently manage known medical conditions with the resources available throughout the position or program.
Able to wear all required personal protective equipment, including safety glasses, hard hats, gloves, N95 or other approved face mask or shield, and appropriate footwear.Able to refrain from behaviors and actions that disrupt the work and safety of others.
Able to cooperate with others to complete daily group tasks, responsibilities, and project work under potentially difficult conditions, variable daily routines, and with limited personal time.
Able to self-regulate or co-regulate emotions and actions when distressed or uncomfortable, with or without the support of others.
Able to self-manage outdoor and environmental exposure (e.g., temperature, wind, sun, etc.) in a variety of weather conditions.
Able to maintain adequate nutrition and hydration throughout program time.
Working Conditions
Work schedules and projects may change on short notice or be ambiguous.;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 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
shared living bunkhouse available for a fee but member is also able to find their own living accommodations.
Compensation
living allowance of $700/week, a housing allowance of $750/month, a relocation allowance of $1,100 (paid once),
All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes.
Personal Vehicle Information
Required
Additional Benefits
Defensive Driving Training
Leave No Trace Master Educator Certification
Off-Road Vehicle Safety
Health Insurance
AmeriCorps: Not Eligible
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 SCA Refuge Maintenance Specialist will assist the Refuge with a variety of projects that support daily refuge operations, visitor access, habitat stewardship, and facility maintenance while providing the candidate with valuable career experience in public lands management. Activities include but are not limited to: performing trail and boardwalk maintenance, assisting with groundskeeping and landscaping projects, supporting facility repairs and upkeep, operating hand and power tools safely, maintaining equipment and storage areas, assisting with habitat restoration projects, and supporting refuge events and operations. The candidate will gain hands-on experience in maintaining public use facilities, supporting conservation infrastructure, and assisting Refuge staff with projects that improve visitor experiences and protect natural resources. These experiential learning opportunities will be hands-on, engaging, and will utilize resources throughout the Refuge. The duties of this position will support Refuge goals through maintaining facilities, improving visitor access, supporting habitat management efforts, and assisting with operational needs across the Refuge.
Hosting Organization
John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge
Location
Philadelphia, PA
Schedule
August 24, 2026 - May 28, 2027
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Performing trail, boardwalk, and fence maintenance; Assisting with groundskeeping including mowing, trimming, landscaping, and invasive plant removal; Supporting maintenance and repair of Refuge facilities, buildings, kiosks, signs, and public use areas; Operating and maintaining hand tools, power tools, and maintenance equipment safely; Assisting with habitat restoration projects including planting native vegetation and maintaining pollinator or wetland areas; Supporting daily Refuge operations and preparation for public programs and special events; Maintaining equipment storage areas and workspaces; Assisting with trash removal, custodial tasks, and upkeep of visitor access areas; Working collaboratively with Refuge staff, volunteers, and community partners on maintenance and stewardship projects
Marginal Duties
Assisting with biology and visitor services teams including habitat restoration and public events; supporting volunteer workdays; assisting with offsite community stewardship projects; attending staff meetings and trainings; other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
drivers license required; experience working outdoors and performing physical labor; ability to safely lift and carry equipment and materials; ability to work in varying weather conditions; resume should be submitted. This SCA Position is authorized under the Public Land Corps Authority. All participants must be between the ages of 16 and 30, inclusive, or veterans age 35 or younger. Participants must also be a citizen or national of the United States or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States. Hours served can be applied toward the Public Land Corps (PLC) hiring authority.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with maintenance, landscaping, trail work, carpentry, construction, groundskeeping, or equipment operation; familiarity with hand and power tools; experience working outdoors in team settings; interest in conservation, public lands, or facilities management.
This SCA Position is authorized under the Public Land Corps Authority. All participants must be between the ages of 16 and 30, inclusive, or veterans age 35 or younger. Participants must also be a citizen or national of the United States or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States. Hours served can be applied toward the Public Land Corps (PLC) hiring authority.
General Physical Requirements
Able to understand, adhere to, and communicate with others regarding hazards, procedures, and safety policies.
Able to independently manage known medical conditions with the resources available throughout the position or program.
Able to wear all required personal protective equipment, including safety glasses, hard hats, gloves, N95 or other approved face mask or shield, and appropriate footwear.Able to refrain from behaviors and actions that disrupt the work and safety of others.
Able to cooperate with others to complete daily group tasks, responsibilities, and project work under potentially difficult conditions, variable daily routines, and with limited personal time.
Able to self-regulate or co-regulate emotions and actions when distressed or uncomfortable, with or without the support of others.
Able to self-manage outdoor and environmental exposure (e.g., temperature, wind, sun, etc.) in a variety of weather conditions.
Able to maintain adequate nutrition and hydration throughout program time.
Working Conditions
Work schedules and projects may change on short notice or be ambiguous.; 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 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
Shared living bunkhouse available for a fee but members are also able to find their own living accommodations.
Compensation
living allowance of $700/week, a housing allowance of $750/month, a relocation allowance of $1,100 (paid once).
All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes.
Personal Vehicle Information
Required
Additional Benefits
Defensive Driving Training
Leave No Trace Master Educator Certification
Off-Road Vehicle Safety
Health Insurance
AmeriCorps: Not Eligible
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.
