Overview
The SCA’s NH Conservation Corps Program:
Have you ever wanted to live in a park where you can explore thousands of acres of prime New England Forest? Do you want to make life-long friends who are passionate about the environment and from all over the United States? Does the chance to learn conservation and leadership skills and start your career off with a one-of-a-kind experience sound exciting? If you said yes to any or all these questions, then the New Hampshire Conservation Corps is the place for you!
The SCA NH Corps is a collaboration between the SCA, the New Hampshire Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, and AmeriCorps. Since 1994 the SCA NH Corps has provided over one million hours of service to New Hampshire while training young adults to do valuable conservation work. Each year young adult volunteers contribute thousands of service hours, Interpretive Rangers providing environmental education programs to the state’s residents and visitors and Field Crew Members completing conservation service projects to improve and protect the state’s natural, cultural, and recreational resources from the Atlantic Coast to the White Mountains and beyond.
Position Overview:
Most of the position is dedicated to hands-on, outdoor conservation projects ranging from trail construction and maintenance to habitat restoration and invasive plant management. Leadership development is an important component of the program - each member will serve as a crew leader for at least one 11-day field project. A typical field project or “hitch” will consist of collaborating as part of a five or six-person crew for 11 days at a time, returning to Bear Brook State Park for a three-day break between hitches. A portion of the position is spent earning certifications and attending training. Community based living is a large component of this program. The living conditions are simple, rustic, and community focused. The corps is made up of 27 young adults with diverse backgrounds from around the country.
Expected Dates: April 1, 2024 – October 31, 2024
Location:
159A Deerfield RD
Allenstown NH
03275
Training Season:
This season runs from the start of the position in April through mid-June. During the training season you will learn from experienced staff and instructors as you engage in:
SCA, AmeriCorps, and NH State Parks policies and protocols
Leadership development and teamwork discussions and scenarios
Diversity and Inclusion training
Conflict Resolution
Camp skills and Leave No Trace (LNT)
Trail Design, Maintenance, and Construction
Carpentry skills
Chainsaw or trail rigging training
SCA’s Driver training – large vans and trucks
Trailer towing
Painting historic structures
Wilderness First Responder, and more!
Qualifications:
US Citizen at least 18 years old
Ability to pass required state and federal background checks.
High school degree or GED
Ability and desire to perform manual, physical labor for 8 to 10 hours per day, exposed to the elements, occasionally lifting 50 pounds or more.
Ability to hike up to 10 miles per day.
Ability to carry a backpack weighing 60-70 pounds while carrying tools over challenging terrain.
Ability to be away on overnight trips for 11-days, primarily camping in a tent.
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.
