Jobs in the Great Outdoors

Camp together. Work together. Learn together. Get paid for your work. Complete exciting conservation projects on public lands. Rebuild the Appalachian Trail or Pacific Crest Trail. Plant trees in a National Park. Construct a boardwalk bridge in a wetlands area. Preserve a cultural heritage site. Create and deliver educational interpretive programs at a State Park. Restore a wildlife habitat. Reduce wildfire risks. Help build energy-efficient homes for low-income residents. Rebuild a campground. Teach kids about forest ecology.

These are the types of opportunities that thousands of seasonal workers, summer jobbers and interns enjoy in America's parks, forests and outdoor playgrounds. With jobs that include conservation volunteers, youth corps members, field crew leaders, backcountry crew supervisors, forestry staff, leadership opportunities, environmental internships and a variety of outdoor field support staff, you'll explore every conceivable assignment while working in the great outdoors.

Join the many interns who make up the Student Conservation Association corps programs. They don't work alone. As a team member, you'll live and work with individuals who share a connection to the land and the desire to change things for the better. Corps members spend 3-10 months of their time devoted to critical environmental issues such as wildfire management and education, trail restoration and maintenance, environmental education and invasive species eradication. This is a great opportunity to give back while you learn. And you'll be entitled to these benefits:

• Valuable training and certifications
• Professional and personal connections that will last a lifetime
• Paid travel to and from most sites
• A biweekly living allowance and free housing
• Free or low-cost health insurance for longer-term positions
• Loan forbearance on qualified student loans
• Possible academic credit
• The potential, on a first-come, first-served basis, for AmeriCorps education awards ranging from $1,175-$5,500 upon completion of a required number of hours for eligible interns

Whether conserving our natural world or preserving our nation's cultural treasures, your skills, your knowledge, and your commitment contribute to the greater good through the SCA. Explore current conservation corps and internship openings at TheSCA.org.

• Thousands have joined SCA to launch a conservation career, advance their studies, gain hands-on experience, or discover new places. But all had one thing in common: they made a difference.

The Vermont Youth Conservation Corps is looking for strong leaders who are ready for a challenge and enjoy working with young people to serve as their teachers, mentors, supervisors, and role models for the Conservation Program's Roving, Community, and Leadership Development. As a Leader you will be responsible for building a community, ensuring the health and safety of your crew, and teaching both life and job skills. The season begins with an intensive staff training that focuses on teaching the technical and interpersonal skills needed to be a successful leader while drawing out your own strengths and enhancing your existing skills. Once your crew of six to eight Corps Members arrives, you will use what you've learned to build your crew into a tight-knit community through meaningful conservation projects, such as trail construction, bridge building and watershed restoration.

Leadership positions span from three to six months in length, with two start dates in either April and May. Opportunities exist in both day and residential settings; Corps Member, School Instructor, Community Conservation, and Food & Farm Apprentices are also available. Benefits include extensive training and professional development, potential for AmeriCorps education award, a competitive wage, room and board for roving crews, and pro-deals or discounts on outdoor gear. Positions are filled on a rolling basis beginning in late fall, with preference given to early applicants. Apply now! VYCC.org

• If you're looking for the outdoor adventure of a lifetime while making a significant contribution to young people and our environment, the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps will equip you with the tools to live, work, and travel in the Green Mountains of Vermont.

If you like spending time outside, learning new things, aren't afraid to get a little dirty and want to explore Maine's beautiful places, the Maine Conservation Corps has a job for you. Whether backpacking to remote Appalachian Trail work sites, patrolling trails at Acadia National Park, or building mountain bike trails, a wooden bridge or stone steps, MCC will provide field team members and leaders with valuable outdoor and trail skills over a 3-9 month period. MCC also selects a few enthusiastic people to participate in an intensive 11-week Trail Training Academy; successful applicants will then qualify to lead a field team through the end of summer. In addition, Environmental Educators are needed seasonally to provide community education and outreach with activities ranging from teaching in a classroom to leading local watershed surveys. Environmental Stewards and Veteran Community Leaders round out the job offerings. Benefits include a living allowance/stipend, health insurance, an AmeriCorps education award and unlimited networking, training and experiential learning opportunities—from conflict resolution and leadership skills to trail rigging and stone working. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, at least 18 (higher for some positions), physically fit, have the desire to learn and serve and be motivated to work with people of all ages and backgrounds. Maine.gov

• Rebuild the Appalachian Trail. Improve hiking trails on Maine's coast. Develop trails with boardwalk bridges in wetland areas. Build great things with great people. Work with the Maine Conservation Corps and live the dream.

The Maine Appalachian Trail Club has been maintaining, protecting and preserving the 267-mile Appalachian Trail in Maine since 1935. Now hiring energetic and motivated individuals to help take care of this exceptional natural outdoor legacy! Explore the opportunities:

• Maine Trail Crew Leaders (mid-May to mid-August): teach and lead a volunteer trail crew doing footpath reconstruction work on the Appalachian Trail and at remote sites. Projects include building stone steps, waterbars and retaining walls and new trail. Benefits include $12.50/hour plus meals and lodging.

• Maine Trail Crew Camp Coordinator (mid-May to mid-August): support operation of volunteer trail crews by planning and preparing meals, purchasing food, maintaining base camp facility, recruiting volunteers, assisting with transportation, and arranging leisure time opportunities. Benefits include $12.50/hour plus meals and lodging.

• Caretakers & Ridgerunners (mid-May through late September or mid-October): interact with hikers, impart Leave No Trace principles to promote protection of the trail and its campsites, and manage high use camping sites. Benefits include $10-12/hour, plus backpacking and camping gear for the season.

• Maine Trail Crew Volunteers (June 15-August 10, 2013 for one or more weeks): Trail Crew Projects focus on rebuilding and restoring heavily impacted sections of the Appalachian Trail. Benefits include local transportation, tents & packs (if needed) and all meals.

Learn about deadlines and how to apply for each position »

• Whether you thrive on working in the outdoors in any weather condition, enjoy planning expedition-focused trips for individuals and groups, or simply content with living alone in remote areas, the Maine Appalachian Trail Club has a seasonal job for you!

From Minnesota’s scenic Superior National Forest, Mississippi River water trails and Twin Cities parks to Iowa’s forestland and wide open prairies, Conservation Corps Minnesota and Iowa offers a wide range of opportunities to develop leadership and natural resource skills.

If you want to work on a team of peers, build trails, learn how to manage wildfires, lead youth in conservation work, or land a hands-on apprenticeship, Conservation Corps Minnesota and Iowa might be a good fit for you.

Check out what it takes to be a:
• Field Crew Member
• Summer Youth Corps Crew Leader
• Youth Outdoors Leader
• Conservation Academy Apprentice

Learn more at ConservationCorps.org/join-corps!

• Conservation Corps will give youth and young adults practical and professional experience, train them for careers, and provide a stable income and an opportunity to pay for educational expenses.

Work outdoors in amazing places. Complete exciting and meaningful conservation projects on public lands in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah. Get paid for your work. The Southwest Conservation Corps offers meaningful employment year-round, with opportunities ranging from eight weeks up to a year depending on crew type. Projects include technical trail construction and maintenance, wildfire management and mitigation, and wildlife habitat and campground improvement. Job openings include residential crew corpsmembers and leaders, backcountry crews, frontcountry crews, Continental Divide trail crews, technical trail crews (useful for those considering a career path in wildland firefighting or public land management) and a special program for veterans who have served in the U.S. military. Benefits include a living allowance or stipend ranging from $275-$565/week, meals and camping while in the field, an AmeriCorps education award to qualifying individuals, uniform, travel, the ability to live and work in the beautiful Southwest region, and valuable training and field experience. If you are positive, motivated, hard working, willing to work and participate as part of a team, don't mind a little dirt under your fingernails, and able to camp in all types of weather conditions, complete an application today. Always hiring! SCCorps.org

• Better the land; better yourself. Residential crews with the Southwest Conservation Corps blend team building with vital conservation projects in beautiful Southwest locales.

Join a legacy of service and stewardship in Boulder, Colorado. The City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks has been engaging teens in meaningful work that makes a difference to Boulder's open lands, parks and community since 1965. The Junior Ranger Program hires youth ages 14-17 to complete important trail maintenance, trail construction, land restoration and parks maintenance tasks. The program emphasizes job skills, teamwork, discovery and dialogue. Junior Ranger Program staff are experienced and passionate outdoor leaders with a commitment to youth development, service learning and conservation. Summer Crew Leaders will supervise and organize crews for effective team development, project completion, and integration of stewardship education. Applicants must have accomplished outdoor leadership skills and experience working with teens (a background in environmental or outdoor education is a plus), minimum age of 21 years, a valid driver's license and good driving record, and first aid/CPR certified. Benefits include $13-16/hour, including two weeks of paid training. These seasonal, non-residential positions run from mid-May to mid-August (M-F, 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.). Applications accepted until positions are filled.

• Do you have a passion for outdoor education, youth development, service learning and stewardship education? Make a difference as a summer Junior Ranger Program Crew Leader! You'll supervise a crew on a variety of maintenance and resource management projects on Boulder's open lands, parks and community.

American Conservation Experience is a nonprofit conservation corps offering opportunities for environmentally focused American and international volunteers who want to make a meaningful difference in the world. Based out of either Flagstaff, AZ or Santa Cruz, CA small teams of volunteers come together on direct service projects for the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service and other land management agencies in inspiring western U.S. locations, including Grand Canyon National Park, Lake Tahoe, Catalina Island and many more. Typical projects include trail construction and maintenance, native plant re-vegetation, non-native species removal, fence construction, erosion control, and wilderness restoration over a minimum 12-week period. Conservation Volunteers contribute their effort and enthusiasm in exchange for food during projects, hostel-style accommodations, transportation to and from project sites, tents for use on projects, and an opportunity to explore unique locales and volunteer with people from all over the world. ACE does not pay volunteers, nor do volunteers pay ACE to participate. Applicants are generally between the ages of 18-25, physically fit, and have the ability to stay positive and enthusiastic through less than perfect situations. Explore upcoming project dates or fill out the online registration form.

• ACE is a great opportunity for career-oriented individuals looking to gain hands-on experience and exposure while expanding their network in the natural resources field, as well as for people looking to experience something new.

Are you looking for a job that will fill your heart and mind rather than just your wallet? The Northwest Youth Corps is hiring adult Field Staff and teen Crew Members for both residential and non-residential programs. Here is your chance to live and work outdoors in some of the most beautiful and rugged areas of the Pacific Northwest (OR, WA, ID & Northern CA) during the spring, summer and/or fall. You'll work with a team of ten youth crew members and two adult crew leaders. Field Staff responsibilities include supervising the successful completion of conservation projects, implementing daily environmental educational programs, coordinating camp life, preparing paperwork, leading weekend recreation trips (for residential programs), and learning skills to safely operate chainsaws. Residential Leaders receive $76-$87/day, paid 10-day staff training, food and transportation during session. Non-residential Crew Leaders receive a living allowance of $1,210/month and a $2,114 AmeriCorps education award. Teens can earn between $780-$1,500 and high school credit. A Leadership Development Program (LPD) is offered for adults who have minimal outdoor experience. Participants in LDP will earn a stipend, meals, lodging, an AmeriCorps education award, and will be eligible for a summer or fall field staff position. Apply online or for more information email work@nwyouthcorps.org.

• The Northwest Youth Corps is about accepting challenge, getting in shape and being outdoors. It is a life where boots, sleeping bags, mosquito repellent and dips in icy cold lakes replace the usual comforts of home—time where building a campfire, pitching a tent and cooking in a dutch oven becomes second nature.

If you have a passion for the outdoors, Backpacker Magazine will keep you in the know, including creating your own adventure trip, tasty backcountry cooking, essential camping and multi-sport skills, feature articles and gear reviews.

Do you have the determination of a wombat? A forestry expert provides you with a Get-Up-And-Go approach to seasonal jobs in National Parks and U.S. Forests.

In its simplest form, Leave No Trace is about making good decisions to protect the world around us—the world we all enjoy.

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