Casey Trees Schoolyear Crew Leader

Position Summary 

This Saturday schoolyear crew, consisting of 2 adult Leaders and 5 local high school Members, will introduce young people to the fields of urban and community forestry and land conservation while supporting environmental stewardship in Washington, DC. Crew Members will complete a variety of hands-on conservation projects across 15 workdays throughout the schoolyear, including planting and maintaining trees and removing invasive species in neighborhoods with limited tree canopy and access to green space. Throughout the program, Members will also participate in environmental education, workforce development, leadership training, and green career exploration activities.

Hosting Organization

Casey Trees

Location 

Washington, DC

• This position is primarily in an urban setting where emergency services, public transportation, and cell phone reception are available within 30 minutes. Interactions with members of the public are regular and frequent.
• This position may conduct work in an urban setting where emergency services, public transportation, and cell phone reception are readily accessible. Interactions with members of the public are regular and frequent.
• This position may conduct work in a front country setting where emergency services are accessible, but may be delayed by 1-2 hours. Access to public transportation at work site is limited or not possible. Cell phone reception is limited, spotty, or not available.

Schedule 

Part time from September 2026 - June 2027

Hours 

Part-time, intermittent position. Leaders will work approximately 15 Saturdays throughout the year (8-hour workdays), with an additional 4–6 hours of preparation and closeout for each workday. The position also includes approximately 40 hours of required training and 20 hours of end-of-season closeout work.  

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 program vehicle

Marginal Duties 

Crew leaders should expect to complete 4-6 hours/workday 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 

• Willingness to perform manual, physical labor for up to 8 hours per day, exposed to the elements, and must 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

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience working with youth or young adults
• Teaching or environmental education experience preferred
• Experience working with diverse groups of people and demonstrated cultural sensitivity
• Experience in urban forestry, arboriculture, tree care, or other natural resource management fields

General Leader Requirements

• Understand, adhere to, and communicate with others regarding hazards, procedures, and safety policies.
• Manage outdoor and environmental exposure (e.g., temperature, wind, sun, etc.) in a variety of weather conditions. 
• Create an appropriate learning environment for members to learn new skills and develop healthy relationships.
• Facilitate group processes including group decision-making, hazard analyses, conflict management.
• Communicate with program supervisor regarding crew, equipment, and programmatic needs.
• Assess members' skill level, reliability, and judgment in order to adjust supervision level according to the progress of the crew.
• Comprehend and uphold all SCA Policies and Procedures throughout the position after successfully completing all SCA Leader online and in-person trainings.
• Respond appropriately and in line with SCA incident management protocols in times of high stress, such as when encountering large and/or potentially hazardous animals, severe weather, medical emergency, or other incident.
• Complete various administrative tasks including managing a budget, arranging accommodations, retaining receipts and reconciling purchases, communicating with agency contact, etc., as applicable to the position.

Working Conditions

• 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 may take place in cold temperatures and adverse winter weather which could include temperatures in some regions -20°F or colder with wind, snow, and sleet.
• 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, mosquitos, insects, snakes, bears, and other wildlife.

Living Accommodations 

No housing provided: candidates within a commutable distance of Washington, DC are encouraged to apply

Compensation  

$22.50/hour; biweekly pay schedule

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

Personal Vehicle Information

Not needed 

Driving

Driving an SCA motor vehicle is a requirement for this position. To be able to drive a motor vehicle for the SCA, you must:

• Possess a current and valid driver’s license for the type of 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.
• Complete and pass SCA’s driver training, including both online and behind-the-wheel assessment (commentary) components.

Additional Benefits 

• Defensive Drive Training
• First Aid/CPR
• 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.