Overview
The SCA Alaska Corps – Petersburg RD is a 24-week Project Leader position focused on mentorship, completing trail work projects, and building a sense of community. You will lead a 5 person crew as a trained SCA Project Leader. The team will camp and work together for the duration of the program. Leaders and Members should be prepared to camp together throughout the summer and face the challenges of weather, insects, remoteness, and wildlife typical of outdoor work in Alaska. This is an opportunity to learn the hard and soft skills required for work in the outdoor industry; folks will walk away with experience in conservation trail work, leadership, interpersonal skills, and outdoor living skills.
The Leader and their team will assist the trails and recreation staff in the Petersburg Ranger District of the Tongass National Forest in Southeast Alaska.
Schedule: April 13, 2025 – September 27, 2025
Location: Petersburg, AK
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
Leaders will lead their team and assist the trails and recreation staff in the Petersburg Ranger District of the Tongass National Forest. Members may use power tools, chainsaws, and hand tools to build and maintain trails around the Petersburg area. Projects may include but are not limited to: brushing trails, removing hazardous or downed trees, building new trails, building new trail structures clearing drainages, repairing trail tread, and performing trail assessments. Leaders may be required to operate ATV/OHVs, chainsaws, power brushers, and agency vehicles, for which the agency partner will provide adequate training.
Hours
40 per week
Living Accommodations
Leaders should expect a mix of camping and bunkhouse living for the entire duration of the season. Housing during work projects will be provided in the form of tents or communal bunkhouses depending on varying project locations throughout the season. Teams will share meals. The leader and team will be provided forest service housing but should expect to camp in remote areas for up to 10 days at a time in a wet environment with biting insects while on certain projects. SCA will supply the tents, and members will provide their own sleep system (sleeping bag and pad). Guidance on what to bring will be provided.
Compensation:
$800-900 DOE weekly salary *
$1300 travel stipend *
Food & Transportation provided for the duration of the program
$40/monthly Cell phone reimbursement
*All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes.
Additional Benefits:
Bear Safety
Defensive Drive Training
First Aid/CPR
Wilderness First Responder Training
Chainsaw Training
ATV/OHV Training
Equal Opportunity Statement:
SCA strives to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all staff members. SCA is committed to maintaining a work atmosphere in which people of diverse backgrounds and lifestyles may grow personally and professionally. The Student Conservation Association, Inc. is an
Qualifications:
Crew Leaders will supervise teams, manage projects, and ensure efficient operations. They’ll train members, mentor development, and promote environmental stewardship. Additionally, they’ll handle logistics, budgets, and work with SCA staff to implement the program.
Required Skills:
Applicants must have experience working with young adults (18-25) and conservation skills such as trail maintenance, habitat restoration, or carpentry. They must be physically capable of performing manual labor in challenging outdoor conditions and have or obtain a Wilderness First Responder certification by 4/12/25. Additional requirements include being 21+, legally authorized to work in the U.S., holding a valid driver’s license for 3+ years, and meeting SCA background check standards.
Preferred Skills:
This SCA position is authorized under the Public Land Corps Authority for participants aged 18-30 or veterans up to 35. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. Hours served count toward PLC hiring authority.
USFS Thinking Sawyer B level Chainsaw Certification; WEMT; Leave No Trace Trainer; • Experience working and/ or living in Alaska preferred but not required; Alaska Resident preferred but not required
About Student Conservation Association
Today, SCA’s mission is to build the next generation of conservation leaders and inspire lifelong stewardship of the environment and communities by engaging young people in hands-on service to the land. Members participate in a variety of capacities and contexts. Beyond national parks, members work on marine sanctuaries, cultural landmarks, and community green spaces in our nation’s urban centers. Members do land management, habitat restoration, trail building, disaster rehabilitation or prevention work, environmental education, public outreach, and more.
