Overview
Conservation Begins Here.
Are you ready to lead and explore iconic landscapes in the Western U.S.? Do you want to make a tangible difference in our natural spaces and communities? Join the Student Conservation Association (SCA) as a Field Leader on our 2025 Summer Snow Mountain Fire Recovery Team and embark on a journey that blends purpose with adventure.
Schedule
April 7, 2025 – August 23, 2025
Project Leader Training: April 7, 2025 – April 24, 2025
Summer Season: April 24, 2025 – August 23, 2025
Location: Upper Lake, CA
Benefits
Pay: $800/week
Travel stipend: $1,000 (split into two payments: half with your first paycheck, half with your last paycheck)
Phone stipend: $45/month
Meals: Provided during fieldwork
Gear: Group camping gear provided (tents, stoves, cooking supplies)
You’ll also receive:
Wilderness First Responder Training (completion of this certification is required for the position)
Conservation trail work skills training
Defensive driver training
Trailer driving training
**Living Arrangements**
Participants will camp in frontcountry and/or backcountry conditions, sharing chores like meal prep and dishwashing. SCA provides group gear, while leaders and members must bring personal items. Leaders receive an SCA vehicle and budget for groceries, with limited access to electricity and running water.
Season Overview
The season begins with Project Leader Training, focusing on leadership and conservation skills, followed by preparation in Ridgecrest, CA, and Crew Member Training before heading to Sequoia National Forest.
Work Schedule
Leaders can expect to work 80 hours over two weeks, with varying schedules per project, including 8 ten-hour days with 6 days off or 4 ten-hour days with 3 days off.
Join Us! Ready to make a difference? Apply on the SCA website or contact leaders@thesca.org with questions.
Equal Opportunity Statement
SCA fosters a fair work environment, promoting growth for individuals of diverse backgrounds. Full job descriptions include physical requirements and working conditions.
Qualifications:
Requirements:
- 21+ years old and legally eligible to work in the US.
- Valid driver’s license (3+ years) and compliant Motor Vehicle Record.
- Attend Crew Leader training from 4/7/2025 to 4/24/2025.
- Outdoor leadership experience and ability to perform physical labor for up to 10 hours, including lifting 40+ pounds.
- Experience in camping, hiking, and backcountry, with a commitment to teamwork and problem-solving.
- Must obtain Wilderness First Responder Certification during trainin
Required Skills:
As a Field Leader:
- Supervise the crew, fostering teamwork and managing basecamp tasks while ensuring member wellbeing.
- Train members in conservation skills and mentor their personal and professional growth.
- Manage project timelines and communicate with agency partners to represent SCA positively.
- Organize logistics, manage documentation and budgets, and liaise with SCA staff.
Preferred Skills:
Preferred but Not Required:
Current Wilderness First Responder Certification;
Experience with trail work, habitat restoration, or conservation projects;
Chainsaw or Crosscut Certification (Bonus points for B-Faller and B-Bucking certifications!);
Trailer Driving Experience is a plus;
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.
