Field Leader - 2025 Snow Mountain Wilderness Recovery Team

Position Summary 

Why Join Us? This isn’t your average 9-to-5 job. As a Crew Member, you’ll be part of a team working on trail recovery projects in Mendocino National Forest, a land still healing from the Ranch Fire. Work with hand tools and chainsaws to rebuild damaged trails, clear debris, and restore trail structures, while building a community with like-minded individuals. Living and working outside will help you develop a unique relationship to the outdoor world. Share sunrises with giant trees and explore vast landscapes with your crew. Now is the perfect opportunity to dedicate your time and energy to a project that helps the planet and people.

Location 

Upper Lake, CA

Schedule 

September 1,2025 - November 26, 2025

Key Duties and Responsibilities 

Key Duties and Responsibilities As a Field Leader: Act as a Crew Supervisor, by facilitating teamwork, managing basecamp and equipment tasks, overseeing member wellbeing 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 ensuring successful and timely completion of work projects, communicating with agency partners, and upholding a positive representation of SCA; Perform tasks as a Program Administrator, by organizing logistics, completing documentation, managing crew budgets, and communicating with SCA staff; Your Impact Rebuilding trails - You’ll play a key role in ensuring that recreation users can safely enjoy our national forests, helping them connect to the outdoors. Inspire your team – Serve as a mentor to young adults wanting to make a difference.

Marginal Duties 

What We’re Looking For If you're passionate about making a real difference and leading with purpose, this role is for you. Strong candidates will have a good foundation in outdoor living (camping and backpacking) and experience working with a chainsaw. In addition to these technical skills, strong leader candidates also excel in fostering team dynamics, navigating interpersonal relationships, and creating a strong sense of community. Effective crew leadership revolves around building trust, problem-solving, and cultivating resilience within the team. We're seeking leaders who prioritize emotional intelligence, empathy, and the ability to guide others through challenges, all while creating a positive, inclusive environment. Success for our teams hinges on understanding and addressing both individual and group needs. Leaders must be fully invested in supporting their crew, through everything from community meetings to one-on-one check-ins, even outside of project hours. Conservation work is unpredictable, and the best leaders are those who can adapt, communicate, and bring out the best in their team under any circumstances. Navigating inclement weather and related challenges, from waking up to frozen water tanks in single digit temperatures to all-day sun exposure, are conditions crews may face. Thunderstorms, wind and smoke can be experienced within the same workday.

Required Qualifications 

21+ years old; Must have the ability to legally work in the US; Valid driver’s license (3+ years) and Motor Vehicle Record that meets SCA standards; Must be able to attend Crew Leader training: 9/1/25 – 9/21/2025; Leadership experience in the outdoors (outdoor education, conservation work, or leading peer groups); Chainsaw experience; Ability to perform manual, physical labor for up to 10 hours per day, exposed to the elements, and must occasionally lift and/or move 40 pounds or more; Camping, hiking, and backcountry experience; Commitment to teamwork, learning, and problem-solving; Ability to obtain a Wilderness First Responder Certification and Chainsaw Certification during training;

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 

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;

Hours 

40 per week

Living Accommodations 

Participants should be prepared to camp in frontcountry and/or backcountry conditions throughout the program. Community chores like preparing meals and washing dishes will be shared by members and leader. SCA will provide group gear such as tents, kitchen supplies (like pots, pans, and stoves), and uniform items. Leaders and members will be expected to bring their personal items such as a sleeping bag, sleeping pad, clothing, and mess kit. To support the crew’s efforts, Leaders are issued an SCA vehicle and trailer for transportation and storage, and a field budget to purchase groceries, supplies, and fuel. Expect to be camping for the duration of the crew, during work and off-time. This means limited access to electricity, running water and showers. What Might the Season Look Like? Service begins at Project Leader Training, where participants will develop leadership and conservation skills needed for a corps team. Training is field-based and will include a review of sustainable trail practices, tools for building an inclusive crew and proper basecamp setup. Staff will also share administrative and risk management expectations. A Wilderness First Responder course is offered during training. The Snow Mountain Leader will also attend chainsaw training. Leaders will depart training to prepare for their crew, collaborating with local staff to prep gear, outline project logistics, contact members, and other tasks to ensure a successful start to the season. Crew Member Training begins September 29, 2025. Leaders will help assist with training and set key foundations for members. Upon completion of Crew Member Training, the crew will travel to Mendocino National Forest. The crew will work on projects aimed at making trails safe and enjoyable for recreation users. Priorities include brushing and logging out Bathhouse and Deafy Glade Trails. The crew will end in Ridgecrest, CA where they will derig, and leaders will review their season with staff. Work Schedule In general, leaders should expect to work on their project for 80 hours within a two-week span. This is subject to change based upon programmatic and field-based needs. Different projects will require different schedules. Some crews work 8 10-hour workdays with 6 days off, others may work 4 10-hour days with 3 days off. Check-ins with members or managing incidents may happen at any time during the season.

Compensation  

Benefits Pay: $800/week Travel stipend: $1,000 (split into two payments: half with your first pay check, half with your last pay check) Phone stipend: $45/month Health insurance 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) Chainsaw certification (completion of this certification is required for the position) Defensive driver training Trailer driving training

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

Additional Benefits 

Bear Safety

Defensive Drive Training

First Aid/CPR

Wilderness First Responder 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.