With a mission to create the next generation of conservation leaders through active stewardship of the environment, the Student Conservation Association (SCA) is the nation's largest and oldest provider of conservation service opportunities. SCA does this through a tuition-free summer volunteer program for high school students as well as through a 3-12 month expense paid internship program for those eighteen and older. Nearly three thousand SCA members complete more than 1.25 million hours of conservation service annually.

A clear glacial stream cascading down the rocks, cooking and eating in the fresh air, always in the presence of the trees and bugs and stars. SCA has given me the opportunity to tune my heart to the rhythms of the land. —Chris Holbrook, four-time SCA Alum

SCA JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Internships & Conservation Corps Positions

Conservation Internships
Live and work with resource management professionals at natural and cultural sites nationwide. Internships are available throughout the year in all 50 states and in dozens of conservation disciplines. For internship opportunities starting in the immediate future, check out SCA's staff picks.

Conservation Corps
Trained and supervised by SCA staff, Conservation Corps members and project leaders work in groups of 4 to 20 and provide specialized conservation services that address urgent environmental challenges all across the U.S. Working in collaboration with public and/or nonprofit partners, these teams work on a diverse range of projects, including wildlife education, GIS/GPS applications, trail and bridge construction, environmental education, natural resource management, wildfire education and mitigation, desert, shoreline and wilderness restoration and botany research. Leader candidates must possess outdoor leadership experience and applicable technical, budget management and administrative skills.

Seasonal Crew Leaders

Conservation Crew Leaders
SCA offers qualified applicants the chance to lead volunteer Conservation Crews in more than 100 spectacular national parks, forests, refuges and protected places across the country—from California's Joshua Tree to the Great Smoky Mountains. As a Crew Leader you will work in a backcountry, frontcountry or community site with a crew of six, eight, or ten high school students. SCA provides crews to land management agencies to accomplish projects that the agencies might not otherwise be able to undertake.

SCA IS LOOKING FOR QUALIFIED APPLICANTS TO:

•	Answer the call and put your conservation and youth development skills to work
•	Live and work in the outdoors
•	Complete important conservation projects
•	Be a positive role model for teenagers
•	And finally... be a leader!

If you're at least 21 years old, have a valid U.S. driver's license, are active and love the outdoors and have or are able to obtain wilderness medical certification, apply online, download application materials (in PDF format), or email the SCA for more information. Although there isn't a set application deadline, it's best to apply before February 15th. Crew leader positions begin in June and July each year.

View All SCA Opportunities »

TIME COMMITMENT

Depending on your availability and background, opportunities range from 12 weeks to 12 months throughout the year.

PERKS & REWARDS

Benefits include a basic living allowance (which is generally $50 to $160 per week), free housing and related expenses, paid travel to and from position site, free or low-cost health insurance, student loan deferment, possible academic credit, and valuable training packages and professional certification. Most positions also carry an AmeriCorps education award of $1,000 to $4,725 for future tuition or student loan repayment.

RECEIVE TRAINING IN: conservation work skills, environmental education, curriculum development, Wilderness First Aid, Wilderness First Responder, GIS/GPS technology, leadership, and conflict resolution.

Work hard, play hard: a SCA experience is unforgettable!

THE ESSENTIALS

A majority of participants are college students or recent graduates; however, teachers, career changers, and retirees join SCA each year. In general, applicants are seeking real-life experiences in the conservation field to further academic, career, or personal goals.

• There's a minimum applicant age of 18; some positions require that you be at least 21.

• International candidates can apply for positions lasting 3-4 months only.

YOUR FIRST MOVE

• Explore SCA's searchable database of available positions. Updates are provided on a weekly basis. • Grab an application online. The extensive application (which includes a $25 fee) is forwarded to various hiring agencies based on your choices. • If you'd like a more in-depth look at SCA from alumni voices, check out the SCA roadshow—events held at colleges and universities across the country.

DEADLINES
SCA accepts applications throughout the year; however, to enhance your chances of being selected for one of your top four choices, you should apply four months prior to your requested start date.

CONNECTIONS

SCA Recruitment Department Student Conservation Association 689 River Rd. P.O. Box 550 Charlestown, NH 03603-0550 (603) 543-1700 (603) 543-1828 (fax) admissions@thesca.org www.thesca.org

NAVIGATION

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