About this role
Position Summary
Interns will serve in Juneau, AK with the Tongass National Forest, Admiralty Island National Monument to help maintain recreation sites and trails. The intern will work with Forest Service staff on various projects throughout the monument. The position requires being outdoors in a cool, wet environment each day as well as daily hiking, lifting, and carrying heavy loads. Field work requires performing moderately strenuous tasks in wet, cold, and buggy conditions, staying in remote cabins or in tents, for up to 8 days at a time. There is no computer work involved in this position.
Location
Juneau, AK
Schedule
April 20, 2026 - August 8, 2026
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Admiralty Island NM has twelve rental cabins, ten three-sided shelters, and approximately 30 miles of trail. Hours are generally 7:00am to 5:30pm. The intern generally works an 8-day, 80-hour work week which may include weekends and holidays as needed. There is generally a 6-day off period between work weeks. Driving and using power tools is required. Tasks may include trail maintenance, trail clearing, construction, carpentry projects, trash removal, cleaning outhouses, sweeping, and painting. Most tasks in wilderness will be accomplished using traditional tools such as crosscut saws and axes.
This position works in brown bear country and interns must be comfortable working around bears. Interns must be comfortable with the presence of firearms and must be comfortable carrying and using bear-spray.
Interns should be prepared to fly in small aircraft, ride in small boats, and hike to work sites.
Work Schedule: Beginning and end of season, will be M-F, 8 hrs/day. Field work is typically eight 10-hour days on, then six days off.
Marginal Duties
The intern may be asked to assist the Cabin and Trail Crew on one or more work assignments at remote public-use cabins include a 3-to-6-mile hike in and possible stay of up to several nights at the cabin then hiking out with a heavy load.
Tasks vary and may include construction and carpentry, cleaning the interior and exterior of cabins, sanding and painting, brush removal and landscaping, sweeping, trash removal, cleaning outhouses, digging a new outhouse hole, pressure washing, patching boats, and assorted other maintenance tasks.
The intern may be asked to assist with trail work either based out of a cabin or tent camping. Tasks may include brushing trails, removing fallen trees with handsaws and axes, repairing tread, installing puncheon boardwalks.
Required Qualifications
Work requires flexibility to adapt to various situations that may arise. Safety is always a priority within the scope of work. The intern will read and sign a Risk Analysis for each activity. The intern will work with a Forest Service crew leader for more complex projects.
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 with hand tools.
Hours
40 per week
Living Accommodations
The interns will be housed at the Juneau Ranger District bunkhouse but may also be housed during work trips in public use cabins or in tents. Work schedules and assignments will vary depending on environmental conditions and specific projects available. The bunkhouse consists of two-bedroom units with each bedroom shared between two employees.
Compensation
$450/week living allowance
$1500 one-time roundtrip travel stipend
$5200 reimbursable duty-related expenses ($200 for Personal Protective Equipment; $5000 duty travel)
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.
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
- Interns will assist in maintaining recreation sites and trails in the Tongass National Forest and Admiralty Island National Monument. Responsibilities include trail maintenance, construction, and cleaning tasks, often in remote locations.
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