About this role
Position Summary
Placement will serve with the Tongass National Forest, Ketchikan Misty Fjords Ranger District to help maintain recreation sites and trails. The placement will work with Forest Service staff on various projects throughout the district. Interns should be prepared to fly, boat, but mostly drive and hike to work sites on a regular basis. The position requires being outdoors in a cool, wet environment each day as well as daily hiking, lifting, and carrying heavy loads. There isn't any computer work involved in this position.
Location
Ketchikan, AK
Schedule
May 31, 2026 - September 20, 2026
Key Duties and Responsibilities
The Developed Recreation program is concentrated at the Ward Lake Recreation Area. It consists of three campgrounds, day-use picnic and shelter areas, and numerous trailheads. Driving and using power tools is required. Tasks may include trash removal, cleaning outhouses, sweeping, pressure washing, painting, splitting and delivery of firewood, educating public on rules and etiquette, support of campground hosts, brush removal, culvert maintenance, digging, raking, fencing, bridge building, construction, and carpentry projects.
The Trails program consists of about 90 miles from in town to back country. Intern would accompany Forest Service staff to maintain trails which brush typically consists of clearing brush, digging drainage ditches, constructing tread using native materials as well as milled lumber and gravel, constructing and/or repairing bridges, and may involve working around heavy equipment. Work typically involves hiking with a heavy pack and carrying and using hand and power tools.
Work schedule is typically 10-hour days beginning at 7am, M-Th or T-Fri, but will be flexible as some trips will involve overnights at remote sites.
Marginal Duties
The placement may be asked to assist the Cabin Crew on one or more work assignments at remote public-use cabins and possible stay of up to several nights at the cabin. Tasks vary and may include solid waste removal, trash removal, cleaning outhouses, digging a new outhouse hole, cleaning the interior and exterior of cabins, sanding and painting, brush removal and landscaping, sweeping, pressure washing, construction and carpentry, patching boats, and assorted other maintenance tasks.
Required Qualifications
The work requires flexibility to adapt to various situations that may arise. Safety is always a priority within the scope of work. The placement will read and sign a Job Hazard Analysis for each activity. The placement will work with a Forest Service crew leader for more complex projects but will also work independently once comfortable with basic day-to-day tasks.
This SCA Position is authorized under the Public Land Corps Authority. All participants must be between the ages of 16 and 30, inclusive, or veterans age 35 or younger. Participants must also be a citizen or national of the United States or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States. Hours served can be applied toward the Public Land Corps (PLC) hiring authority.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with hand tools.
Hours
40 per week
Living Accommodations
The placements will be housed at the Ketchikan Misty Fjords District bunkhouse but may also be housed during work trips in public use cabins or tents. Work schedules and assignments will vary depending on environmental conditions and specific projects available. The bunkhouse is a dormitory style building with two occupants per room and a shared kitchen, laundry and common space.
Compensation
$450/week living allowance
$1,500 one-time roundtrip travel stipend
$500 duty-related reimbursements (for Personal Protective Equipment)
All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes.
Personal Vehicle Information
Not needed
Additional Benefits
Bear Safety
Defensive Driving Training
Off-Road Vehicle Safety
AmeriCorps: Not Eligible
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.
Other facts
About Student Conservation Association
The Student Conservation Association (SCA) is the largest provider of hands-on environmental conservation programs for youth and adults.
Our program participants protect and restore national parks, marine sanctuaries, cultural landmarks and community green spaces at various locations across the country.
After working with the SCA, our members emerge with increased environmental awareness, social responsibility and leadership skills.
As America’s most effective youth conservation service organization, the SCA transforms lives by empowering young people of all backgrounds to plan, act, and lead while they protect and restore our natural and cultural resources.
Founded in 1957, the SCA is dedicated to building the next generation of conservation leaders while inspiring lifelong protection of the environment and our communities.
SCA's mission is to build the next generation of conservation leaders and inspire lifelong stewardship of our environment and communities by engaging young people in hands-on service to the land.
What you'll do
- The placement involves maintaining recreation sites and trails within the Tongass National Forest, including tasks such as trash removal, cleaning, and construction projects. Interns will work closely with Forest Service staff and may also assist with remote public-use cabins.
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