2027 Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps - Cultural Resource Crew

 

Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps

AmeriCorps Cultural Resource Crew Member

 

Position Summary 

 

The Student Conservation Association (SCA) is the largest provider of hands-on conservation programs for youth and adults. Program participants protect and restore national parks, national forests, wildlife refuges, marine sanctuaries, and much more across the country. 

 

This position is part of SCA’s AmeriCorps National Direct Program. SCA AmeriCorps National Direct is a partnership between SCA and AmeriCorps which engages young adults aged 18 and over in hands-on conservation service that protect and restore public lands, waters, and recreation resources nationwide. The program provides job-skills training, support, and career pathways in environmental stewardship and infrastructure fields.

 

The Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps is a collaboration between the SCA and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). The Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps offers paid service experience, job training, and educational opportunities.

The Cultural Resource Crew (CRC) is intended to provide aspiring archaeologists and preservationists the professional skills to build successful careers in land and resource management. Members will be exposed to a variety of projects that will help to build a strong foundation for a continued career in CRM.

Most service will take place in State Parks and Forests across Pennsylvania. Members will also engage in various professional development opportunities throughout the season, including trainings, certifications, networking, job shadowing, and environmental education activities.

 

 

Program Dates

March 15th, 2027 - November 18th, 2027

 

Application Process:

 

Applications will remain open until Jan 1st however given the volume of applicants that we receive, position may fill prior to Jan 1st. Applicants are encouraged to apply early. Candidates not selected for our initial cohort will be placed on a backfill list.

 

Please note that the Outdoor Corps is currently hiring for 60+ positions across the state. It may take several weeks for a staff member to follow up on your application.

 

Member Impact

Members will make a real, hands-on difference on public lands across Pennsylvania. Throughout the season members gain practical field experience and participate in training and educational activities to build valuable professional skills. The program helps young adults explore and launch careers in natural resource management and adjacent fields. Cultural Resource Crew projects may include:

• Phase I archaeological and above-ground historic resource surveys
• Resource inventory, curation, and cataloguing
• Research-oriented investigations
• Site assessments such as reconnaissance and inventory of landscape features
• Assistance with historical restoration projects
• Cemetery preservation and maintenance
• Additional service activities as assigned within the scope of the core project.

Schedule 

March 15, 2027 – November 18, 2027

 

*Corps Member Orientation will take place in person from March 15th - March 22nd. This is a paid, mandatory activity for all corps members. Members should plan to be away from home during this time. Lodging and meals provided.

 

Hours

Monday - Wednesday 7:00am-5:00pm

Thursday 7:00am - 4:30pm

 

Regular travel is required. Some nights and weekends may be required.

 

A minimum 30-minute lunch break is required each service day. Lunch periods do not count towards the required minimum service hours. 37.5total service hours per week.

 

*This is a field-based position. Efforts will be made to accommodate safe and/or indoor service during short periods of inclement weather, but crew members may be called-off during periods of extreme weather and therefore, 40 hours per week is not guaranteed. 

 

 

Service Location

The CRC will be serving at various sites throughout Pennsylvania.

Members will report directly to the assigned service location for the week. Members will stay on site or nearby in accommodations provided by the program.

In many cases park cabins, yurts, lodges or other park housing will be utilized. When park housing is not available, the crew may be required to camp out. Due to the remote areas that the crew serves in, and limited housing options, crew members will be expected to share living spaces while on hitch.

Individual rooms will be assigned when available but are not always guaranteed.

 

Immediate Supervisor/Title

Brant Underwood, Program Coordinator, 804-347-7030, bunderwood@thesca.org

 

AmeriCorps Service Term Minimum Hours Requirement

1200 hours required for AmeriCorps award eligibility

 

Preferred Qualifications

• Commitment to serving as a productive team member; demonstrating strong interpersonal and professional skills.
•  Commitment to service in environmental conditions that will include extreme heat, extreme cold, high winds, and precipitation.
• Full participation in professional development activities including virtual and in-person sessions.
• Ability to communicate the presence of safety hazards through visual and auditory means.
• The position functions will comply with all AmeriCorps Prohibited Activity restrictions specified in the SCA AmeriCorps Member Service Agreement. 

 

Marginal Duties

•  Assist with maintenance and management of program supplies and materials;
•  Assists with inspection and maintenance of program vehicles;
• Supports coordination of transportation, safety protocols, accessibility needs, and other supplies for the program.

 

Required Qualifications 

Basic Requirements

• Ages 18 - 25 at the start of the program.
• Must be willing to regularly in the field, away from home.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation to and from hitch locations throughout Pennsylvania.
• Must be a resident of Pennsylvania.
• Available for the duration of the entire service term – must complete at least 1200 service hours 

Interpersonal and Professional Requirements:

• Develop and maintain professional relationships with staff, crew leaders, and other members;
• Able to live and serve effectively with other team members to achieve goals and contribute to team success. 
• Understand verbal and/or written communication;
• Must be dependable, flexible, and cooperative;
• Ability to take initiative to complete the task at hand without prompting;
• Accepting of leadership and supervisory authority; and
• Completes tasks appropriately and in a timely manner.

 

AmeriCorps Eligibility Requirements: 

This position is part of a specialized SCA AmeriCorps program, and if you are selected, you will be serving as an SCA AmeriCorps member. To be eligible for this position you must meet these basic AmeriCorps

 

Eligibility Requirements:

· Being a citizen, permanent resident, or national of the United States.

· Being at least 18 years or older.

· Having a high school diploma or equivalent or actively working to complete.

· Being willing to undergo National Service Criminal History Check after acceptance of position, including criminal background, sex offender and FBI checks.

 

Preferred Qualifications 

• College degree in Cultural Resources Management, Anthropology, Archaeology, History, Historic Preservation, Museum Studies or a related field
• Experience writing for technical publication and public outreach
• Experience in curation of archaeological or archival materials

Commitment Required

The program’s term of service is an 8-month (Three Quarter-Time, 1200 hours) commitment that will last March 15th, 2027 through November 18th, 2027.

Members will serve 40 hours per week.

 

Living Accommodations 

Crew members will live and serve together while on hitch. The crew will be provided with shared housing throughout the season. Crew members should expect to share rooms in team housing. SCA emphasizes the importance of community on our crews. Crew members should expect to fully participate in activities related to communal living on their team. To ensure a well-run team, crew members must all participate in house and crew responsibilities, including shared chores, cooking group meals, grocery shopping, and other team-based responsibilities.

 

No accommodations are provided during off days. Members must have a residence in PA to return to during these times.

 

Personal Vehicle Requirement

A personal vehicle is required for this position.

 

Compensation  

• Amount of Living Allowance member will receive: $675/week
• Amount of the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award being offered for successful completion of the member term of service (1200 Hours): $5,176.50
• All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes. 
• Eligible for Federal Student Loan forbearance and interest payment deferment through AmeriCorps for qualifying student loans.

 

Training and Additional Benefits 

• Option to enroll in Health, Dental, and Vision benefits through AmeriCorps (individual enrollment only)
• Training will not exceed 20% of total service hours
• AmeriCorps and SCA Orientation
• SCA Risk Management
• Sexual Harassment/Drug Abuse in the Workplace
• Workforce Development & Job Readiness (regular, throughout the season)
• Technical Field Skills Training (regular, project based throughout the season)
• Crew Member Orientation (March 15th – 22nd, 2027)
• All Corps Gathering (Sept 27^th – Sept 30^th, 2027)
• Holidays Off

 

Service Conditions

• Service schedules and projects may change on short notice or be ambiguous.
• Service settings require the ability to positively interact with people of varying cultures and perspectives.
• Inclement and severe weather conditions, including heavy rain and flash flooding, gusty and strong winds, foggy or decreased visibility, and lightning events.
• Decreased or inclement air quality conditions due to wildfire smoke or smog.
• Warm temperatures and adverse heat conditions which could include temperatures in some regions up to 110°F or hotter.
• Cold temperatures and adverse winter weather which could include temperatures in some regions -20°F or colder with wind, snow, and sleet.
• Exposure to natural and environmental hazards such as, poison ivy, oak, or sumac, tick and mosquito -borne illness, snakes, and potential for other wildlife encounters.

 

Equal Opportunity Statement 

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