Conservation Corps-Alaska-2026 Alaska Roving Katmai Seward

Position Summary

The SCA Alaska Trail Corps is a 20 week position focused on leadership

• development, completing trail work projects, and building a sense of community.

You will lead a 4-5 person crew as a trained SCA Project Leader.

The group will live and serve together for the duration of the program. Leaders should be prepared to camp throughout the summer and face the challenges of weather, insects, remoteness, and wildlife typical of outdoor work in Alaska.

This is an opportunity to learn the hard and soft skills required for work in the outdoor industry; folks will walk away with experience in conservation trail work, leadership, interpersonal skills, budgeting, and outdoor living skills. This team is likely to be comprised of two hitches: one in Kenai Fjords NP and

one in Katmai NP, AK.

• Schedule

April 6, 2026 - August 29, 2026

Key Duties and Responsibilities

SCA Alaska Trail Corps teams consist of 3-4 young adult members and one leader, and are placed on one or more project distributed widely throughout the state. 2025 projects will take place in Denali National Park, Glacier Bay National Park, Kenai Fjords National Park, Wrangell Island, White Mountains/Steese Hwy,

Chugach State Park, and potentially several other locations. Specific projects may include: creating/maintaining trail tread; cutting/removing brush from the trail corridor; installing permanent features such as, puncheons or boardwalks; improving access to recreation areas; and maintaining walkways for portages.

Each team will camp for the duration of the program and eat meals together. During training leaders will hone their outdoor living skills, trail work skills, and teamwork skills, which they will be expected to pass on to their members during the season. The team will work with each other to resolve conflict and build relationships in remote areas, where they may go hours or

days with minimal contact with people outside of the crew, depending on the project and work location.

• Leaders are responsible for overseeing the team’s workday, making sure camp

tasks are completed, providing leadership in conflict resolution, and mentoring young adults in outdoor living and trail building skills. They are also

• responsible for completing administrative tasks throughout the season such

Emergency Response Plans, Job Hazard Analysis, Incident Reports, budgeting, meal

• planning, food purchasing, expense reconciling, and end-of-season reporting.

During days off, leaders are expected to ensure that members are, minimally, in a safe location with access to communications and transportation services. Depending on how remote the location is, this may mean the team spends days off together, or are at least in the same location. To be safe in bear country by

traveling as a group, the team will usually recreate together as well. SCA teams work in remote, tight-knit communities and are expected to maintain a positive representation of SCA during days off.

While working with the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Alaska State Parks, and/or US Forest Service, members and leaders will be able to network with professionals in natural resources and recreation management. Crews may have unique opportunities to learn about different career paths in

recreation and natural resources and see first-hand what their work consists of.

• Leaders will travel to the Project Leader Training location in April (location

TBD), then to Anchorage for further training and preparation before Corps Member

• Training in Indian, AK. Each leader will receive $1,300 for this travel. Leaders

will have about two weeks before members arrive to prepare for their season by coordinating with their project partners, buying food and supplies for their members, and coordinating travel and project details with their SCA Program Coordinator.

Crew Leaders will:

• 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 chainsaw, cross-cut saw, invasive plant removal, facilities maintenance, brushing, 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.

Preferred Qualifications:

USFS Thinking Sawyer B level Chainsaw Certification; WFR or WEMT; Leave No Trace

• Trainer; Experience working and/ or living in Alaska preferred but not required;

Alaska Residents preferred but no required

Hours

40-50 per week

Living Accommodations

• Leaders should expect to camp for the entire duration of the season. Housing

during work projects will be provided in the form of tents or communal bunkhouses, depending on project site location. SCA will supply the tents, and members will provide their own sleep system (sleeping bag and pad). Guidance on what to bring will be provided.

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.

Additional Benefits

Bear Safety

Defensive Drive Training

First Aid/CPR

Wilderness First Responder Training

Chainsaw or Cross-Cut Training (depending on project location)

General Physical Requirements

• Able to understand, adhere to, and communicate with others regarding hazards,

procedures, and safety policies.

• Able to stay alert and engaged for extended periods of program time.
• Able to independently manage known medical conditions with the resources

available throughout the position or program.

• Able to wear all required personal protective equipment, including internal

or external, safety glasses, hard hats, gloves, N95 or other approved face mask or shield, chaps, and appropriate footwear.

• Able to refrain from behaviors and actions that disrupt the work and safety

of others.

• Able to cooperate with others to complete daily group tasks,

responsibilities, and project work under potentially difficult conditions, variable daily routines, and with limited personal time.

• Able to self-regulate or co-regulate emotions and actions when distressed or

uncomfortable, with or without the support of others.

• Able to self-manage outdoor and environmental exposure (e.g., temperature,

wind, sun, etc.) in a variety of weather conditions.

• If using prescription medications, able to self-medicate by following the

prescribed dosage, usage, and timing without supervisor assistance (except possibly at the direction of higher medical authority in emergency situations).

• Able to independently carry a backpack weighing approximately 45% of body

weight for a minimum of 5 miles and a maximum of 15 miles with adequate breaks dependent on weather, terrain, and trail conditions

• Able to lift a backpack weighing 45% of body weight with minimal assistance

from others.

• Able to grip a third point of contact for balance purposes when crossing

rivers or streams, and ascending and/or descending slopes.

• Able to independently carry a backpack weighing up to or approximately 30% of

body weight for a minimum of 5 miles and a maximum of 15 miles with adequate breaks dependent on weather, terrain, and trail conditions.

• Able to lift a backpack weighing up to or approximately 30% of body weight,

with minimal assistance from others.

• Able to correctly wear a Personal Flotation Device according to US Coast

Guard specifications.

• If intentionally or unintentionally submerged, able to exit a capsized boat,
• maintain a face-up position in the water, and make progress through the water

to shore or a rescue boat while wearing a Personal Flotation Device.

• Able to maintain a secure airway in the event of sudden water submersion.
• Able to re-board or enter a boat or watercraft from the water with minimal
• assistance from others.

Working Conditions

Work schedules and projects may change on short notice or be ambiguous.;

Work settings require the ability to positively interact with people of varying cultures and perspectives.;

Natural environments and culturally significant locations that require respect to the land and indigenous peoples.;

Inclement and severe weather conditions, including heavy rain and flash flooding, gusty and strong winds, foggy or decreased visibility, and lightning events.;

Exposure to natural and environmental hazards such as, poison ivy, oak, or sumac, tick and mosquito -borne illness, snakes, and potential for other wildlife encounters.;

Exposure and potential contact to bear habitat and wildlife.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The SCA strives to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all staff members. SCA is committed to maintaining a work atmosphere in which people may grow personally and professionally. The Student Conservation Association, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.