About this role
Position Summary
Apply now to serve a community in the heartland of Alaska through hands-on trail work! These placements will work on trails in Fairbanks, AK under the direction of Fairbanks Trails, Inc., a trails non-profit organization.
Placements will develop and practice skills in sustainable trail maintenance, including using hand and power tools to smoothen trail tread, cut brush, and remove trees. Placements will work alone and in a small team of interns and volunteers with the goals of performing much-needed and years-overdue maintenance on prominent Fairbanks-area trails.
Location
Fairbanks, AK
Schedule
May 25, 2026 - August 15, 2026
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Placements will perform trail maintenance on trail systems in the Fairbanks area, including Skarland, Equinox, ADMA, Pearl Creek, Chena Lakes, Tanana Lakes, Birch Hill, Isberg, Skyline Ridge, the UAF trail systems, and others. Specific work includes trail benching, brushing trail, building and clearing drainages for water run-off, and trail surface leveling. Placements may also perform light carpentry and painting on structures near trails, like warm-up huts near ski trails.
All duties are performed in the field using a variety of tools including power brushers, chainsaws, shovels, Pulaski, and picks.
Placements will be provided with a three-day chainsaw training course with the SCA near Anchorage, AK, starting around May 29 to June 1. Air travel to Anchorage and then from Anchorage to Fairbanks will be covered by a stipend, reimbursement, or direct booking by SCA staff, as yet to be determined.
Upon arrival in Anchorage, SCA staff will transport the placements from the airport to the training site in Indian Valley, and will transport them back to the airport when the training concludes for their flight to Fairbanks. While at training in Indian Valley, placements will be provided a tent and meals.
They will be loaned a helmet, ear protection, and chainsaw chaps for the duration of the training (placements may elect to bring their own), but placements must provide their own leather gloves, eye protection, and leather boots covering the ankle. SCA staff in Anchorage will coordinate with placements before their arrival in Anchorage. The chainsaw certification is recognized by all land management agencies and is good for two years.
Once certified, placements will use chainsaws for brushing and clearing downed trees.
Marginal Duties
Placements may be asked to help Fairbanks Trails Inc. (FTI) lead volunteer work parties on trail projects.
This would include cleaning, preparing, and transporting tools, monitoring volunteers on the appropriate use of tools and personal protective equipment and alerting the FTI volunteer lead of any issues, instructing volunteers on trail work techniques, and verbally informing volunteers on-site of the goals and details of the work party project.
Required Qualifications
Placements will work outside in variable conditions. Fairbanks is known for its sunny and long summer days, but inclement weather is always possible, and mosquitoes are always prevalent.
Placements must have a strong work ethic, be able to manage time effectively, be able to work at times without direct supervision, and be able to work in a team as well as alone. Placements must be able to traverse uneven terrain while carrying up to 40 pounds of tools, personal protective equipment, and personal gear.
Preferred Qualifications
Preference will be given to residents of Fairbanks, AK, to local college students, and to anyone with a familiarity of Fairbanks area trails.
Hours
40 per week
Living Accommodations
Preference is given to local applicants with housing in Fairbanks. Some housing in Fairbanks is available for non-local placements. Please inquire during your interview if you need housing.
Compensation
$600/week living allowance $1300 one-time roundtrip travel allowance
All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes.
Personal Vehicle Information
Not needed
Additional Benefits
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 perform trail maintenance on various trail systems in the Fairbanks area, including tasks such as trail benching, brushing, and building drainages. They will also assist in leading volunteer work parties and instructing volunteers on trail work techniques.
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