Cowanesque Lake Recreation and Visitor Services Placement

Position Summary 

This position is primarily focused on recreation and visitor services at the Cowanesque Lake project. The Cowanesque Lake project consists of over 2,000 acres of land and water and receives about 100,000 visitors a year. Work completed by the intern will directly contribute to the safety and enjoyment of park visitors, as well as the conservation and protection of natural resources at the project. Daily work will include interacting with the public and assisting Park Ranger and Natural Resource Specialists with administering the recreation program. Intern will be exposed to and have an opportunity to participate in support of additional programs such as Flood Risk Management (FRM) and state partners like PA Fish and Boat.

Location 

Tioga, PA

Schedule 

June 1, 2026 - August 21, 2026

Key Duties and Responsibilities 

Intern will assist with managing daily operations at the park, interacting with the public and assisting Park Rangers and Natural Resources Specialists at Cowanesque Lake. Assisting Park rangers with the operation of the recreation areas during periods of high visitation. Intern will be trained to assist park staff/volunteers with general inquiries about park details in developed areas. The intern will assist with the upkeep of recreation areas such as picnic sites, trails, disc golf course, boat launches, and will also assist in recreation events perform safety inspections. Interns may occasionally accompany rangers during vehicle and boat patrols and will assist with additional GIS and other data collection/mapping assignments as needed, primarily focused on recreational facilities.

Marginal Duties 

• Landscaping • Trail Maintenance • Property Line Boundary Inspections/Maintenance • Assist Camp Hosts with fire ring cleaning • Maintain contact with Rangers via radio

Required Qualifications 

• Must be 18 years of age. • Must possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license. • Must have the ability to effectively speak, read, and write in English. • Must have the ability to work outdoors and lift up to 40 pounds. • Must wear SCA provided attire while on duty. • Must possess basic hand tool skills. • Position may require extended periods in the outdoors during adverse conditions such as heat, cold or rain. • ArcGIS experience preferred.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Comfortable to engage with the public. • Experience operating power tools or using basic maintenance tools/equipment. • ArcGIS experience • First Aid/CPR Certified

Hours 

40 per week

Living Accommodations 

Housing is not provided.

Compensation  

$350 - weekly Living Allowance; $40 – weekly Commuting Allowance; $1,000 – monthly Housing Allowance; $650 – Relocation Travel Grant* (if non-local).

*SCA positions with the US Army Corps of Engineers will receive a To/From Site travel reimbursement that reflects the actual roundtrip travel costs from their 'home' to the site. The reimbursement amount is based upon total distance (mileage) travelled and current federal per diem rates. Members are required to submit an expense report to SCA with documented round-trip travel costs for reimbursement. The requested reimbursement amount is capped at $650.

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

Personal Vehicle Information

Recommended

Additional Benefits 

·      Basic Water Safety training

·      Basic Driving Safety training

·      Project Coordination Skills

·      EM385 Safety Compliance

·      GIS Skills

·      Federal Contracts QA

·      Tailgate Safety Meetings/ Monthly Staff Safety Meetings

AmeriCorps: Not Eligible

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.