Position Summary 

Experience the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest as a member of the SCA Okanogan-Wenatchee NF Invasive & Restoration Crew. The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest covers a large and diverse landscape, encompassing 3.8 million acres along the east slopes of the Cascade Range in Washington with headquarters in Wenatchee, Washington. This is a 4-person crew (one leader and three crew members) serving 14 weeks to conduct invasives surveys, invasives control, and native plant improvement projects. Crew members in these positions will qualify for AmeriCorps, the hosting forest will provide campgrounds or other suitable housing.

Location 

Wenatchee, WA

Schedule 

April 27, 2026 - August 22, 2026

Key Duties and Responsibilities 

As an SCA Project Leader you will serve as a teacher, supervisor, and role model for your crew. Facilitate team operations: food planning/purchasing, tools, equipment, and vehicles for backcountry and front country hitches lasting 8 – 10 days. Actively manage group dynamics and corps members’ well-being in remote environments and at the Indianola program base. Actively manage project/member risk to maintain a safe work environment. Supervise and assist the work skills training of corps members. Promote leadership development within the team and evaluate success and potential. Manage relationships with agency partners and work collaboratively with public land agencies on program logistics. Ensure successful and timely completion of conservation service projects on public land. Assist SCA Program Coordinator in budget management and reconciliation. Represent SCA in a positive manner. Leader for this crew will need to obtain their herbicide applicator license for Washington. SCA will facilitate the training and education for this license.

Marginal Duties 

Actively manage supplies and logistics for your team. Work vehicle management throughout the season. Day-to-day budget management. Complete pre and post-project paperwork and reporting requirements. Complete member mid-season and end of season evaluations. Manage basecamp function and organization.

Required Qualifications 

• Valid driver’s license (3+ years) and Motor Vehicle Record that meets SCA’s standards
• Successfully complete a Health Screening Questionnaire before the position start date
• Obtain a Wilderness First Responder Certification during training
• Leadership experience in the outdoors (outdoor education, conservation work, or leading peer groups)
• Must understand, enact and uphold project, crew community, basecamp, vehicle, and additional safety standards set through SCA’s policies
• Perform manual, physical labor for up to 10 hours per day, hike 10+ miles in a day, exposed to the elements, and must occasionally lift and/or move 40 pounds or more
• Camping, hiking, and backcountry experience
• Work in challenging outdoor conditions, including extreme heat, extreme cold, high winds, and precipitation
• Full engagement in all work projects and community activities
• Commitment to mentorship, teamwork, learning, and problem-solving
• Live and work in a multi-gendered, multi-cultural communal environment, sharing common spaces and communal meal settings each day
• Must be a minimum of 21 years of age, and authorized to work in the US
• Must be able to attend mandatory SCA Project Leader training: April, 2026.
• Ability to meet SCA’s criminal background check standards.
• Must be willing to live at remote housing location throughout season

Preferred Qualifications 

• Current Wilderness First Responder (WFR) Certification
• Experience with invasive plants, habitat restoration, or conservation projects
• Trailer Driving Experience

Hours 

40 per week

Living Accommodations 

Crews will be camping in tents while in the field during their service. A program vehicle and trailer will be provided to the crew, and the vehicle will be driven by the SCA Project Leader and/or any Corps Member who is 21+ and successfully completes SCA’s Drivers Training. During field season, Leaders should expect to be traveling with their crew throughout the entirety of the season, with regular access to facilities for laundry/showers.

Compensation  

• Pay: $850/week
• Travel Costs: (Covered for leader training, up to $500 toward travel costs after training)
• Phone stipend: $45/month
• Meals: Provided all season
• Gear: Group camping gear provided (tents, stoves, cooking supplies)
• Uniform Package: Includes daypack, work shirts, water bladder and more!
• You’ll also receive: Wilderness First Responder Training (completion of this certification is required for the position) Conservation work skills training, Herbicide applicator training, Defensive driver training Trailer driving training

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

Additional Benefits 

Bear Safety

Defensive Drive Training

First Aid/CPR

Wilderness First Responder Training

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.