Overview
Conservation Begins Here.
The Student Conservation Association (SCA), Americas #1 conservation service organization seeks qualified applicants to lead, educate, and inspire high school students for the Chicago Conservation Leadership Corps summer program.
Program Dates: Wednesday July 5th-August 9th
Training Dates: SCA June TBD
Local Training Dates: June 26th- June 30th 8am-3:30PM
Primary Responsibilities:
Co-lead, supervise, transport, and mentor a team of 10 high school youth, ages 14-19 for five weeks (Mon-Fri, 35 hours/week). Complete an assortment of hands-on conservation and restoration projects within different areas in the Forest Preserves of Cook County and plan and lead weekly educational field days. Communicating with Forest Preserve staff to complete and track projects. Administrative and reporting duties are required as they relate to data management, photo documentation, and youth assessments. Crew leaders will also be expected to facilitate a provided environmental education curriculum, as well as complete a summer final report on the program.
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
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 most occasionally lift and/or move 40 pounds or more
Current First Aid and CPR certification required by the start of training
Must be able to attend both SCA and Local Crew Leader training:
Must be a minimum of 21 years of age
Must have ability to legally work in the US
Must have a valid drivers license for 3+ years and MVR that meets SCA standards
Must be able to meet SCAs criminal background check standards
Must be able to obtain a State of Illinois herbicide license or are willing to obtain one before program start date;
Knowledge of mid-western ecology, or knowledge of the forest preserves is a big plus
Conditions of Employment:
Beginning on 1/18/22, all new SCA program participants are required to be fully vaccinated. Up to date vaccination is defined as having received a booster shot six months after the Pfizer and Moderna primary series and two mon
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.
