2027 Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps - State College Adult Crew

Position Summary 

The Student Conservation Association in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), is seeking outgoing individuals to join the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps.

The Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps offers paid work experience, job training, and educational opportunities. Throughout the season members will also participate in education and training activities related to resource management, environmental education and recreation.

 

The State College Crew is open to young adults ages 18+ who are currently enrolled in an accredited college or university. Crew members will meet each morning at a centralized meeting location in State College.

At the meeting location, crew members will load into the crew truck and travel out to work locations together.

Crews return to the meeting location by the end of the work day. Please consider that the commute to the worksite may be an hour or more each way. This time is included in the work day.

Work locations may include:

 

Penn-Roosevelt State Park

Whipple Dam State Park

Greenwood Furnace State Park

Poe Paddy State Park

Poe Valley State Park

Reeds Gap State Park

R.B Winter State Park

Ravensburg State Park

Bald Eagle State Forest

 

Program Dates

June 28th, 2027 - August 6th, 2027

 

Application Process:

The application 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.

 

Daily Schedule:

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

Thursday – 7:00am – 4:30pm

 

Lunches are 30 minutes, unpaid

 

*This is a field-based position. Efforts will be made to accommodate safe and/or indoor work 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 in the event of inclement weather events. 

 

Compensation  

$17.31/hr paid bi-weekly. (75 total hours per pay period)

All allowances/pay are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes.

 

Work Project May Include:

• Facility maintenance projects including: painting, staining, light carpentry, plumbing, siding, other building rehabilitation and upkeep.
• Constructions projects such as: bridges, stairs, picnic tables, pavilions, and masonry.
• Trail maintenance and construction including: implementing water management techniques, brushing, blazing, reroutes.
• Habitat Restoration including: invasive species identification and treatments, herbicide applications.
• Tree Planting, and other general landscaping
• Fencing and Boundary Line Maintenance.
• Additional service activities as assigned within the scope of the core project.

Preferred Qualifications

• Interest and investment in leadership development and teamwork is required.
• 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.
•  Must be willing to learn how to use hand tools and power tools to accomplish service activities.
• 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.

 

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 programs.

 

Basic Requirements

• Ages 18 - 25 at the start of the program.
• Must be currently enrolled in an accredited College or University
• Must have housing in or near the program city. (45 Minutes or less drive to meeting location).
• Must have reliable transportation to and from crew meeting location.
• Must be a resident of Pennsylvania.
• Available for the duration of the service term.

Interpersonal and Professional Requirements

• Develop and maintain professional relationships with staff, crew leaders, and other members;
• Able to 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.

 

Physical Requirements

• Able to conduct physically demanding service in all outdoor conditions. Including:
• Ability to stand or remain on your feet for up to 8 hours per day.
• Ability to regularly walk/hike on uneven terrain, uphill or downhill, for 2 miles.
• Hike up to 5 miles, often while carrying a backpack, tools, and equipment.
• Lift heavy objects up to 40 pounds.
• Swing hand tools such as shovels, pick mattocks and mcleods for 6+ hours per day.
• Ability to perform duties in all weather conditions including extreme heat, cold, rain.
• Ability to communicate the presence of safety hazards through visual and auditory means.
• Must be able to model safe and professional behavior at all times including wearing all appropriate personal protective equipment - PPE

Preferred Qualifications

• An interest in conservation careers, trade skills, or a related field in highly encouraged.
• Individuals over 21 with a clean driving record will be required to drive an SCA vehicle at times during the field season.

Living Accommodations 

No housing is provided. Members must have/secure their own housing for the duration of the program. 

 

Personal Vehicle Information

Recommended for transport to daily meeting location.

 

Equal Opportunity Statement 

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