2027 Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps - Chambersburg Youth Crew

POSITION SUMMARY

The Student Conservation Association (SCA), in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), 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 earn a paycheck, build practical job skills, and take part in environmental education and team-building activities that connect their work to careers in conservation, natural resource management, and outdoor recreation.

Position Details

Location: Chambersburg, 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.

Compensation

$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.

Participant Eligibility

• Ages 15–18 at the start of the program
• Current Pennsylvania resident
• Available for the full program, June 28 – August 6
• Lives in or near the program city, with reliable transportation to and from the daily crew meeting location
• Completes all onboarding requirements and receives field approval from SCA staff before the program begins

Member Expectations

• 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

Living Accommodations and Transportation

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.

JOB FUNCTIONS

Projects May Include

• 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

Marginal Duties (Members)

• 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

Working Conditions

• 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

General Physical Requirements (with or without reasonable accommodation)

• Able to do manual, physical project work outdoors for a full workday in a variety of weather conditions
• Able to stay alert and engaged throughout the program day
• Able to understand and follow safety policies, and to act in ways that keep yourself and others safe
• Able to manage known medical conditions during the workday, including carrying any needed medications (e.g., an inhaler or EpiPen)
• Able to wear all required personal protective equipment, such as safety glasses, hard hats, gloves, approved face masks, and sturdy footwear
• Able to manage emotions and reactions when stressed or uncomfortable, and to ask for support when needed

Equal Opportunity Statement

SCA is an equal opportunity employer. Selection decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and performance, without unlawful discrimination.