Position Summary
The 2026 Midwest NPS/USFS Team will be made up of four young adults who will be working alongside USFS partners at Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, WI and NPS partners at Gateway Arch National Park, MO.
Members of this team should be flexible and adaptive, as the team will change work projects and living sites often throughout the season. Team members may be working on building and improving trail in the woods one week and placing paver blocks in downtown St. Louis the next. Potential projects include building a trail reroute, building box steps, brushing trails, mapping wilderness areas, setting paver blocks around tree plantings, planting and landscaping.
The team will begin their program with a field-based training, which may take place at a separate site alongside other SCA crews. Guided by an experienced Project Leader, team members will learn and practice skills that are essential for a successful season, such as risk management and hands-on trail and tool trainings. Season projects involve working with hand tools and occasionally small equipment. Fieldwork is physically and mentally demanding.
Crew members can expect to camp part of the season, sometimes at primitive sites. Campsites may have limited amenities or cell service. This team will also have indoor housing when working in St. Louis. Crew will consist of 3 young adult members (18 years of age or older) and 1 team leader. The team will have access to one SCA vehicle for transportation to/from the worksite.
Location
Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, WI and NPS partners at Gateway Arch National Park, MO
Schedule
August 17, 2026 – October 23, 2026
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Work collaboratively with a team of three others to complete priority projects determined by partner staff;
- Engage as a crew member to promote healthy group dynamics, and promote effective and productive teamwork;
- Work variable hours, possible long days and possible weekends, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, in varying weather conditions, and under physically demanding circumstances;
- Use technical equipment such as hand or power tools;
- Take part in trail work, such as clear trail corridor with hand tools and small equipment; install grade dips and drainage structures; rehab and reestablish the tread of a trail; build trail structures (i.e. retaining walls, check steps, staircases, fences, or barriers)
Marginal Duties
- Participate in professional development opportunities when offered
Age Requirement
- Adults 18 or older
Required Qualifications
- Minimum of 18 years of age
- Have ability to legally work in the US
- Meet SCA’s criminal background check standards
- Ability to lift 40 pounds and independently travel 2 miles over varied terrain while carrying a 40-pound pack without assistance
- Ability to perform manual, physical labor in a variety of outdoor conditions for up to 8-10 hours per day
- Interest in serving alongside and supporting others on a team
- Willingness to live alongside a team and participate in community chores and meal preparation
- Willingness to complete some project paperwork including project reports, output logs, and inventories
- With training, ability to use hand tools and power tools to complete assigned work projects
This SCA Position is authorized under the Public Land Corps Authority. All participants must be between the ages of 16 and 30, inclusive, or veterans age 35 or younger. Participants must also be a citizen or national of the United States or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States. Hours served can be applied toward the Public Land Corps (PLC) hiring authority.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working outdoors, on trail projects, conservation projects, or other applicable hands-on physical work, is a plus
- Experience camping for extended periods of time is a plus
Hours
- 40 per week
Living Accommodations
This crew will live and work together for the duration of the season. SCA emphasizes the importance of community building and growth in interpersonal skills throughout the program. The team may be provided with shared housing for a portion of the season; team members should expect to share rooms and common spaces (kitchen, bathrooms). Members should also expect to participate in communal living practices such as cooking group meals, grocery shopping, and sharing chores at the team house. When camping, team members will be provided with a campsite and camping gear (tent and kitchen cache).
Compensation
- Living allowance: $450*/week living allowance (pre-tax)*
- One-time travel allowance provided: $650*
- Budget for meals during work days (managed by leader)
- SCA branded uniform items and gear
- SCA trails and corps member training, first aid training, ongoing professional development training
All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes.
Personal Vehicle Information
Members who bring personal vehicles with them for the season are responsible for the logistics of moving their vehicle to each new living site. Personal vehicles are the responsibility of the member, not SCA.
Additional Benefits
- Wilderness First Aid Training
- AmeriCorps: Not Eligible
General Physical Requirements
- Able to understand, adhere to, and communicate with others regarding hazards, procedures, and safety policies.
- Able to independently manage known medical conditions with the resources available throughout the position or program.
- Able to wear all required personal protective equipment, including safety glasses, hard hats, gloves, N95 or other approved face mask or shield, and appropriate footwear. Able to refrain from behaviors and actions that disrupt the work and safety of others.
- Able to cooperate with others to complete daily group tasks, responsibilities, and project work under potentially difficult conditions, variable daily routines, and with limited personal time.
- Able to self-regulate or co-regulate emotions and actions when distressed or uncomfortable, with or without the support of others.
- Able to self-manage outdoor and environmental exposure (e.g., temperature, wind, sun, etc.) in a variety of weather conditions.
- Able to maintain adequate nutrition and hydration throughout program time.
- If using prescription medications, able to self-administer medications by following the prescribed dosage, usage, and timing without supervisor assistance. If prescription medication is administered via injection, able to self-administer the injection.
- Able to independently carry a backpacking pack weighing approximately 30% of body weight over varied, loose, inclined terrain for up to a maximum of 15 miles per day with adequate breaks.
- Able to lift a backpacking pack weighing approximately 30% of body weight with minimal assistance from others.
Working Conditions
Work schedules and projects may change on short notice or be ambiguous.; Work settings require the ability to positively interact with people of varying perspectives. Work settings may be located in natural environments and regionally significant locations that require respect for the land and local peoples. Work environment may be in inclement and severe weather conditions, including heavy rain and flash flooding, gusty and strong winds, foggy or decreased visibility, lightning events, and/or decreased or inclement air quality conditions due to wildfire smoke or smog. Work may take place in warm temperatures and adverse heat conditions which could include temperatures in some regions up to 110°F or hotter. Work settings may involve exposure to natural and environmental hazards, such as poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac; harmful, poisonous, or disease-carrying ticks, mosquitoes, insects, snakes, bears, and other wildlife.
Driving
Driving a motor vehicle is preferred for this position, but not required.
To be able to drive a motor vehicle for the SCA, you must:
- Be able to operate a motor vehicle without physical or medical restrictions.
- Possess a current and valid driver’s license for the vehicle which they are operating.
- Have a minimum of three years of state permitted and licensed driving experience.
- Be a minimum of 21 years old.
- Complete and pass a Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) check upon hire (or re-hire) and annually, thereafter.
- Be able to complete and pass SCA’ driver training, including both online and behind-the-wheel (commentary) components.
Primary Program Design
- Able to maintain adequate personal hygiene, sun protection, and dress in remote outdoor environments and in adverse weather conditions, where access to permanent shelter and facilities are limited or not available.
- Able to live and work in primitive conditions that lack running water, refrigeration, air conditioning, reliable electricity, and toilet facilities for the duration of a work hitch, where emergency care and services are limited and delayed.
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.
