Pennisula Crew Leader
Conservation Begins Here.
The Student Conservation Association (SCA) is the largest provider of hands-on environmental conservation programs for youth and adults. Program participants protect and restore national parks, marine sanctuaries, cultural landmarks, and community green spaces across the country.
Training Dates: 6/13/2024 - 6/23/2024 (paid mandatory training)
Program Dates: 7/1/2024 – 8/2/2024
Location (City and State):
- San Mateo Country, CA ( San Mateo, Redwood City, San Carlos, East Palo Alto )
Primary Responsibilities:
As Crew Leader, you, along with a co-leader will guide and inspire a team of 8-12 high school youth members to complete field conservation projects throughout San Mateo county’s natural and green areas. Members will work for 5 weeks. The leader will be onboard for 7.5 weeks, which includes leader training, and post-program wrap up tasks.
All crew members will go through training to complete different field projects throughout the region including:
- Habitat restoration
- Trail maintenance
- Tree planting
- Tree maintenance
- Urban canopy care
- Gardening
The crew leader will work collaboratively and efficiently with their team to complete these projects by deadline. Tool usage, safety, risk, and job hazard assessments will be part of training and daily briefings. Crew leaders will learn to work safely in outdoor environments while learning new skills alongside their crew members. Being open to new experiences is a huge advantage for crew leaders.
In addition to field work, crew leaders should expect to complete ~3-5 hours/weekly outside of these tasks to complete crew leader administration tasks. These tasks may include coding expense receipts, uploading photos from the field, writing incident reports, or reviewing members’ time logs, among other things.
Specifically, the Crew Leader will:
- Act as a Crew Supervisor by facilitating teamwork, managing field-based tasks, and guiding crew dynamics
- Serve as an Advisor by training members in technical conservation work skills, mentoring personal and professional development, and teaching environmental stewardship
- Act as a Project Manager by communicating with agency park partners, ensuring successful and timely completion of work projects, and upholding a positive representation of SCA
- Perform tasks as a Program Administrator by organizing logistics, completing documentation, managing a budget, and communicating with SCA staff
Leader Qualifications:
- Experience working with youth or young adults, teaching, or environmental education a plus.
- Experience with conservation work skills or related skills preferred – i.e., trail maintenance, trail construction, habitat restoration, chainsaw, carpentry, landscaping, and gardening.
- Ability to perform manual, physical labor for up to 8 hours per day, exposed to the elements, and must occasionally lift and/or move 40 pounds or more.
- Ability to participate in the Wilderness First Responder Certification by the end of Project Leader Training: scheduled for 4/14/2024 – 5/12/2024.
- Chainsaw Certification (B-Faller) is a plus.
- Crosscut Certification (B-Bucking) is a plus.
- Must be able to attend Crew Leader training: 6/13/2024 - 6/23/2024.
- Must be a minimum of 21 years of age.
- Must have the ability to legally work in the US.
- Must have a valid driver’s license for 3+ years and MVR that meets SCA standards.
Leader Benefits and Compensation:
- $880 weekly stipend at 40 hours a week
- Explore green jobs and career opportunities
- Complete important conservation projects with the Hayward Area Recreation District, City of San Leandro, and other land management agencies
- Participate in professional development and skill building as a team
- Alumni benefits after successful completion of program
- SCA gear package
- Trainings Provided
- Wilderness First Aid ($800 – value)
- Trail Building Workshop ($1,000 – value)
- Chainsaw Training (if needed for project work) ($250 – value)
The Student Conservation Association, Inc. is an equal-opportunity employer. Click here to learn more about Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at the SCA.