About this role
Position Summary
Placements will assist recreation staff on the Petersburg Ranger District of the Tongass National Forest. Placements may use power and hand tools and chainsaws to build and maintain trails, repair and maintain cabins, and clean and maintain developed recreation sites around the Petersburg area.
Location
Petersburg, AK
Schedule
May 11, 2026 - August 30, 2026
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Trail projects may include, but are not limited to, brushing, removing hazard or downed trees, constructing new trail or structures, clearing drainages, repairing trail tread, and performing assessments. Cabin projects may include, but are not limited to, restocking firewood, repairing structural damage, and cleaning and supplying the cabin and outhouse. Developed recreation projects may include, but are not limited to, weekly cleaning and maintaining day and overnight-use Forest Service and Petersburg Borough developed recreation sites.
Marginal Duties
Placements may be required to travel in boats and/or float planes, operate ATV/OHVs, chainsaws, power brushers, and agency vehicles, for which the agency partner will provide adequate training.
Required Qualifications
The work requires flexibility and adaptability to changing weather and logistical conditions. Safety is the first priority within the scope of work. Placements will read and sign a comprehensive Risk Assessment at the beginning of the season for activities they are likely to encounter. Individual Job Hazard Analyses and/or Tailgate Sessions may be available for activities outside of the job description. The placement will work with a Forest Service crew leader for more complex projects but will also work independently when comfortable with basic day-to-day duties.
Driver’s license required.
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
Basic First Aid and CPR, Wilderness First Aid
Hours
40 per week
Living Accommodations
Placements are provided with Forest Service housing while working near Petersburg. But, placements should be prepared to camp in remote areas for up to 10 days at a time in wet environments with biting insects while on certain projects.
Compensation
$450/week living allowance
$1500 one-time roundtrip travel stipend
$1500 duty-related reimbursements ($300 for Personal Protective Equipment; $1200 for gear and in-season travel)
All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes.
Personal Vehicle Information
Not needed
Additional Benefits
Bear Safety
Defensive Drive Training
First Aid/CPR
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
- Placements will assist recreation staff in building and maintaining trails, repairing cabins, and cleaning developed recreation sites. They will work on various projects that may require the use of power tools and chainsaws.
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