Position Summary 

Serves as a member of a trails and cabin maintenance team. Placement will assist with maintenance/repair of system trails and recreation cabins to improve and promote recreational access to National Forest System (NFS) lands. Performs routine maintenance at dispersed recreation sites including site cleanup and naturalizing. Collects visitor use data using trail counters and public interviews.

Location 

Sitka, AK

Schedule 

May 17, 2026 - September 5, 2026

Key Duties and Responsibilities 

Several backcountry camping trips will be required, typically 3 to 4 nights per trip, but potentially up to 10 consecutive nights. Transportation on boats and possibly small fixed-wing aircraft and/or helicopters will be required. As a field going position working in brown bear habitat, this position is required to be firearm certified for personal and/or crew safety.

The SCA crew members will work alongside the Sitka Ranger District Cabins and Trails Crew. They will report to the District Recreation Program Manager and daily work will be assigned by the Cabins Work Leader or the Developed Recreation Manager. The combined crew will work together to accomplish the following areas of work:

· Trail maintenance and reconstruction

· Cabin maintenance and improvement

· Maintain and clean developed recreation areas

· Conduct work in both front and backcountry settings

Aside from normal clothing and boots, all necessary field and safety gear will be provided by the Forest Service.

Marginal Duties 

· Support National Visitor Use Monitoring (NVUM) work

· Support other program areas at special events such as Kid’s Fishing Day and Fourth of July Parade

Required Qualifications 

In order to participate in firearm certification, placements will be required to pass a mandatory drug screening before reporting for duty. Placements must possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license from any state.

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 working in a team in an outdoor setting.

Hours 

40 per week

Living Accommodations 

This opportunity is located in Sitka, Alaska, which is a full-service island community. The internship includes a bunkhouse stipend which will cover the cost of residing at one of two of the district’s shared housing locations.

One is directly adjacent to the office, while the other a couple of miles away but closer to downtown. Interns may be assigned to a shared bedroom with another employee of the same gender. Interns who are housed at the further location can be provided a loaner bicycle for commuting to/from work. The bunkhouse is coed, but shared bedrooms and bathrooms, are male or female only.

Compensation  

$450/week living allowance

$1500 one-time roundtrip travel stipend

$308/month housing stipend

$400 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 Drive Training

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.