Field Leader- 2026 Tongass National Forest Team bei The Student Conservation Association

Position Summary 

The SCA Alaska Wrangell-Karta Corps team leader position is a 20-week AmeriCorps program focused on leadership development, completing trail work projects and building a sense of community. This team will consist of 4 young adult members and one leader.

This team will be working with the US Forest Service in the Tongass National Forest for 6 weeks in the Wrangell RD and with the City of Wrangell. They will then work for 6 weeks in the Thorne Bay RD on the Karta River Wilderness Trail building and maintaining trail, performing wilderness monitoring, and cabin maintenance. Crosscut is required for the Thorne Bay portion.

Schedule 

April 5, 2026 - August 29, 2026

Key Duties and Responsibilities 

Act as a Crew Supervisor, by facilitating teamwork, managing trail-work and camp maintenance tasks, and keeping the team operating in an efficient and timely manner • Serve as an Advisor, by training members in technical conservation work skills, mentoring personal and professional development, facilitating conflict resolution, and teaching environmental stewardship • Act as a Project Manager, by communicating with agency partners and SCA staff, ensuring successful and timely completion of work projects, and upholding a positive representation of SCA • Perform tasks as a Program Administrator, such as organizing logistics; completing documentation such as: incident reports, Emergency Response Plans, and health checks; managing a budget; and communicating regularly with SCA staff; • Working with SCA Alaska Program Coordinators and Program Manager to successfully implement the position program

Marginal Duties 

Potential for using cross-cut saw, invasive plant removal, bunkhouse cleaning, after hours member check-ins, equipment maintenance, brushing, and any other assistance needed by agency partners.

Required Qualifications 

Experience working with young adults (especially 18-25 years old); teaching or environmental education a plus • Experience with conservation work skills or related skills– i.e., trail maintenance, trail construction, habitat restoration, chainsaw, carpentry, landscaping, and gardening • 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 • Wilderness First Responder certification or ability to obtain one before 4/12/25 • Must be able to attend the entire Crew Leader training and entire duration of the season. Travel outside of Alaska will not be possible during the season for leaders or members due to remote locations of crews • Must be a minimum of 21 years of age • Must have the ability to legally work in the US • Must have a valid driver’s license for 3+ years and MVR that meets SCA standards • Must be able to meet SCA’s criminal background check standards This SCA Position is authorized under the Public Land Corps Authority. All participants must be between the ages of 18 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.

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 

USFS Thinking Sawyer B level Cross-Cut Certification, Backcountry leading experience, WFR or WEMT; Leave No Trace Trainer; Experience working and/or living in Alaska preferred but not required; Alaska Residents preferred but not required

Hours 

40 per week

Living Accommodations 

During the Wrangell portion the team will stay in USFS bunkhouse. The schedule will vary. During the Karta River Wilderness portion the schedule will be 8 days on followed by 6 days off. They'll stay in or camp near cabins on workdays. They'll stay in the bunkhouse in Thorne Bay RD for off days.

The crew will fly to and from Admiralty Island on a small plane for every 8-day service stretch. The crew will camp while on hitch.

Compensation  

$800-900 DOE weekly salary * • $1300 travel stipend * • Food & Transportation provided for duration of program • Cell phone reimbursement *All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes.

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.

 Physical requirements and working conditions specific to the position are available in the full job description.