Field Leader- Texas GulfCorps

As GulfCorps Conservation Crew Leader, you will act as a supervisor while working alongside a team of up to five young adults from Texas. This will include leading project work in the field to ensure project quality, tracking metrics on accomplishments, aligning our work with partner needs, and managing crew dynamics of a team of four. Our partners include the US Fish & Wildlife Service, the National Park Service, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, and other national, state, or local environmental agencies.

With funding from the RESTORE Act, following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, this crew works to improve inland habitats along the Texas coast. The crew will be working on restoration projects which can include invasive species removal, habitat restoration, boardwalk or trail maintenance and repair, debris removal, general landscaping, public outreach and/or education, or other land management tasks in various sites along coastal Texas. Training and/or guidance will be provided for unfamiliar tasks. 

Project monitoring and data collection, using smartphone applications and other methods, will also be required throughout the season. As a crew leader, strong conservation work skills (chainsaw, herbicide application, invasive species management), strong monitoring skills (data collection, GPS, GIS), strong administrative skills (using office software such as word editors, spreadsheets, and cloud-based file storage and organization software) and experience managing crew dynamics (with strong conflict management and team-building skills) are requirements for this position. There is a strong preference for applicants with previous conservation corps experience. For more about the GulfCorps program, visit https://www.thesca.org/serve/program/gulfcorps-conservation-crew.

This is a great opportunity for someone with some experience in conservation work and leadership, who wants to grow these skills in a role taking on higher responsibilities.

Expected dates, including training: 8/25/25 - 3/14/26

Leader Qualifications:

• Strong preference for experience working with young adults, especially in a leadership role for outdoor work or environmental education
• Strong team-building and conflict resolution skills, specifically in managing crew dynamics, managing crew morale during difficult tasks, and balancing crew needs with project and partner needs.
• Strong preference for experience with conservation or related work skills – i.e. trail maintenance, trail construction, habitat restoration, chainsaw, carpentry, landscaping, and gardening
• Ability to perform manual, physical labor including:
  • Traveling across uneven terrain for 8 hours of a 10-hour workday, while carrying equipment or tools that can weigh 50 lbs
  • Using gas-powered equipment such as chainsaws or brushcutters 
  • Application of herbicide, using backpack, handheld, or electric sprayers for invasive species management.
  • Spending full workdays in somewhat remote settings, without access to modern amenities (no running water or electrical outlets)
  • Working in temperature ranges from extreme heat and humidity to temperatures as low as freezing, 
  • Working in muddy or wet environments or during rainy conditions, in areas with elevation changes, or in areas with continuous direct sunlight throughout the day
• Basic familiarity and abilities with computers and smartphone applications, as well as ability to learn new applications or programs
• Familiarity with conservation corps crews and/or AmeriCorps programming
• Familiarity with sharing communal living spaces with coworkers
• Ability to be flexible with changing project needs and conditions
• Attentive to safety and workplace protocols
• Organizational skills for tracking project outputs and numerous metrics
• Comfort with long distance driving, sometimes multiple times per month, using large work trucks, including while pulling a trailer
• A desire to travel throughout Texas
• A desire to develop leadership skills

Required Qualifications:

• Must be able to attend Crew Leader training
• Must be a minimum of 21 years of age
• Must have the ability to legally work in the US
• Must have a valid driver’s license for 3+ years and MVR that meets SCA standards
• Must be able to meet SCA’s criminal background check standards

Leader Benefits and Compensation: 

$950/week salary

Housing for the duration of the position - may include camping.

Paid trainings include:

• Wilderness First Aid ($200+ value)
• CPR ($50+ value)
• NWCG S-212 Wildland Fire Chainsaws Certificate and other NWCG Wildland Fire courses ($500+ value)
• SCA leader training, catered to the needs of the position

Details are subject to change.

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.