Summer Youth Corps Field Leader

Position Summary 

This position directly supports Nature-Based climate resilience in Charles County by caring for native trees planted across public schools. Project tasks may include watering, mulching, staking, pruning, and monitoring young native trees. Through this work, participants will gain hands-on conservation experience and help address the impacts of climate change in their community.

Location 

La Plata, MD

Schedule 

June 1, 2026 - August 21, 2026

Key Duties and Responsibilities 

• Act as a Crew Supervisor, by co-leading a team of crew members, 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 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
• After passing SCA MVR check and driver safety courses, Leader must be able to safely transport crew from morning pick-up, worksites, and afternoon drop off the SCA rental truck and/or van

Marginal Duties 

Crew leaders should expect to complete ~3-5 hours/weekly to complete crew leader administration tasks. These tasks may include coding expense receipts, uploading photos from the field, writing incident reports, attending weekly staff check-in meetings, or reviewing member time logs, among other things.

Required Qualifications 

• Perform manual, physical labor for up to 8 hours per day, exposed to the elements, and occasionally lift and/or move 40 pounds or more
• Minimum of 21 years of age
• US Work Authorization
• Valid driver’s license for 3+ years and pass SCA Motor Vehicle Report standards
• Meet SCA’s criminal background check standards

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience working with youth or young adults, teaching or environmental education preferred
• Leaders will work in new outdoor environments, being excited and open to new experiences is strongly desired
• Experience working in a team
• Open to learning new skills
• Urban forestry, arboriculture, or tree care experience is a plus

Hours 

40 per week

Living Accommodations 

No housing provided: candidates must live near Charles County, Maryland

Compensation  

• $900/week paid bi-weekly
• $45/month cell phone stipend

All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes. 

Additional Benefits 

• Defensive Drive Training
• Wilderness First Aid Training

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.