2026 Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps - Laurel Highlands 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. Corps members will join a team of young adults to complete conservation and infrastructure projects on Pennsylvania’s public lands. Throughout the season members will also participate in education and training activities related to resource management, environmental education and recreation.

Laurel Highlands crew project locations may include places such as:

• Laurel Hill State Park
• Laurel Ridge State Park
• Ohiopyle State Park
• Forbes State Forest
• Shawnee State Park
• Linn Run State Park
• Other Community Partners and Organizations

This a regionally recruited for crew with an anticipated meeting location being Greensburg PA. Applicants from across the Laurel Highlands region are encouraged to apply. More information on the logistics of this crew will be provided during the selection process.

Program Dates

October 5th, 2026 - November 25th, 2026

Application Process:

The application will remain open until September 18th, 2026. Candidates not selected for our initial cohort will be placed on a backfill list.

Daily Schedule:

Monday - Wednesday 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.

Crew members will meet each morning at a centralized meeting location in Greensburg. 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 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.
• Other work as assigned.
• Participate in professional development days including virtual and in person sessions throughout the season.
• Work collaboratively on a small team of peers.

Marginal Duties

• Utilization of Three Job Shadow Days. Participation is not required but highly encouraged.

Required Qualifications

• Ages 18+ at the start of the program.
• Able to conduct physically demanding work in all outdoor conditions. Including:
• The ability to hike up to 4 miles per day.
• Regularly lift/carry up to 40 pounds.
• Swing hand tools such as shovels, pick mattocks and McLeods for 6+ hours per day.
• Able to work effectively with other team members to achieve goals and contribute to team success.
• Must be able to model safe and professional behavior at all times including wearing all appropriate personal protective equipment - PPE.
• 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.
• Willing/able to complete overnight hitches during the season, spending 3 - 5 days away from home with the crew.
• Each crew will have 2 Overnight hitches per season. Other overnight experiences include Corps Member Training (March) and the All Corps Gathering (Sept).

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.

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.

Personal Vehicle Information

Recommended for transport to daily meeting location.

Additional Benefits

• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays
• Optional Employee Sponsored Benefits (Health, Dental, Vision, Retirement)

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 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

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.