Overview
Conservation Begins Here.
The Student Conservation Association (SCA) is the largest provider of hands-on conservation programs for youth and adults. Program participants protect and restore national parks, marine sanctuaries, cultural landmarks, and community spaces across the country.
Position Dates:
Program Start and End Dates: 5/12/2025 – 11/7/2025
Location: Saugus, Massachusetts
Primary Responsibilities:
The SCA Massachusetts Conservation Corps Project Leaders play a crucial role in the success of the conservation program, working closely with the Program Coordinator and Manager, and to train, supervise, and support corps members completing technical trail projects, and habitat restoration in their region of Massachusetts. SCA MASS crews use traditional trail skills, restoration techniques, carpentry skills, and physical labor to complete an array of projects. These projects take two to three weeks, while the crews serve 4, 10-hour workdays from Tuesday to Friday.
Typical projects include trail construction & maintenance, rock stairs, carpentry, bridge construction, and invasive vegetation removal. The program works in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation and AmeriCorps.
This position works in collaboration with the full-time MA Corps staff and is directly supervised and supported by the Program Coordinator.
Leader Benefits and Compensation:
Salary: $900 per week
Housing or housing stipend provided ($1,000/month)
Travel Stipend: $800 (1/2 paid on first paycheck, 1/2 paid on last)
Stipend for use of personal cell phone
Training & professional development opportunities – Opportunity to recertify or attend select training, including Wilderness First Aid and CPR, SCA’s trail skills training, and more!
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.
Qualifications:
- 1-2 years’ experience supervising young adults, preferably outdoors
- Strong communication, leadership, and work ethic
- Able to perform physical labor (10 hours/day, lift 50+ lbs, hike 5+ miles)
- Trail construction experience preferred
- Wilderness First Aid/CPR desired
- Minimum age: 21
- Legally eligible to work in the US
- Valid driver’s license and clean driving record
- Able to pass background checks
- Personal vehicle required (mileage reimbursement)
Required Skills:
The Crew Leader will:
- Supervise the crew, manage tasks, and guide teamwork
- Provide technical support and assist with admin tasks
- Maintain tools, uphold safety policies, and manage risk
- Train members, mentor growth, and evaluate performance
- Ensure project quality, communicate with park partners, and meet deadlines
- Handle logistics, documentation, budget, and staff communication.
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.
