The Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps provides youth and young adults with paid opportunities to gain competitive job readiness skills to prepare them for careers in environmental conservation through a partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
Program participants will give back to the land while learning lifelong skills that will make them ideal candidates to further their careers in conservation through nationally recognized training, conservation work skills and leadership development.
Pennsylvania’s expansive state park system is one of the largest in the country, consisting of 124 parks and forests across more than 300,000 acres. Program participants complete conservation projects related to preserving and protecting natural resources and infrastructure at various sites across the state.
Program participants emerge with increased environmental awareness, technical skills, social responsibility and leadership skills.
Get Paid: Earn while learning valuable green job skills.
Gain Experience: Explore career pathways in conservation.
Make a Difference: Help care for Pennsylvania’s expansive state park system.
Conservation Begins Here - Learn More
For those eager to learn industry-ready skills alongside staff from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, our nine-month Young Adult Program provides a strong foundation for working at state parks and forests.
Each crew consists of a maximum of five members under the supervision of a Project Leader. Crews meet each morning at a central location in their program city and then travel out to work locations within their region.
Crew members can expect to engage in a variety of conservation work projects, including trail maintenance, planting, invasive species control and infrastructure improvements.
The Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps strongly emphasizes personal and professional growth. Members will engage in various professional development opportunities throughout the season, including trainings, certifications, networking, job shadowing, resume review, interviewing skills and environmental education activities.
The SCA is devoted to building equitable access to nature, providing green job opportunities for young people and teaching members how to become environmental stewards. Applicants who are Black, Alaskan Native, American Indian, Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic or other racial minority are highly encouraged to apply.
See below for 2025 Program Details and Opportunities.
If you’re a high school student who loves being outdoors and wants to spend the summer learning, growing and working in nature, the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps Summer Program is for you.
For six weeks each summer, we employ students across Pennsylvania to work on small teams of peers and take on conservation projects in our State Parks and Forests. This paid opportunity offers hands-on job experience, participation in environmental education sessions and exposure to a variety of potential career paths.
Each crew consists of 6 high school students led by 2 experienced adult mentors. Crews will work on a variety of projects like trail maintenance, invasive species control and infrastructure improvements.
See below for 2025 Program Details and Opportunities.
Are you ready to lead, inspire and make a difference this summer? The Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps is looking for dedicated Field Leaders to supervise, mentor and guide high school crews as they tackle conservation projects.
As a field leader, you will gain invaluable leadership and management experience, build professional networks, and positively impact the lives of young people while helping to protect and preserve public lands.
See below for 2025 Program Details and Opportunities.
The Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps American Sign Language Inclusion Crew engages those who are deaf and hard-of-hearing in meaningful conservation projects. The program is offered in partnership with CorpsTHAT and the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. The experience will also include a camping excursion! All transportation, camping materials and food will be provided.
See below for 2025 Program Details and Opportunities.
Now Hiring - Join The Crew
The SCA is seeking crew members (age 18-25) to engage in hands-on conservation projects at State Parks and Forests throughout the region.
Program Dates: March 17 – Nov. 26, 2025
Schedule: Monday – Wednesday, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Thursday 7 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Pay: $15.50/hr.
Benefits: Paid time off, paid holidays, optional employee-sponsored benefits and professional training opportunities
Application Deadline: Jan. 1, 2025
Minimum Qualifications:
APPLY NOW:
The SCA is seeking high-school aged students (age 15-18 at the program’s start) to engage in hands-on conservation and infrastructure projects on Pennsylvania’s public lands.
Program Dates: June 30 – Aug. 8
Schedule: Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Pay: $15.00/hr.
Provided by Program: Lunch, personal protective equipment (helmet, gloves, ear protection), and daily transportation from a central meeting location within your city to the project site.
Application Deadline: Feb. 15, 2025
APPLY NOW:
The SCA is seeking field leaders (age 21+) to supervise and train high-school aged students through the completion of hands-on conservation and infrastructure projects on Pennsylvania’s public lands.
Program Dates: June 8 – Aug. 12 (Paid training and travel required June 8 – June 20, 2025)
Schedule: Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Pay: $19.38/hr.
Minimum Qualifications:
Application Deadline: Feb. 1, 2025
APPLY NOW:
The SCA seeks crew members (age 15-18 at the program’s start) for its American Sign Language Inclusion Conservation Crew. Crew members will participate in hands-on conservation and infrastructure projects throughout Pennsylvania’s public lands, including trail maintenance, habitat restoration, facility maintenance and more. The SCA’s Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps American Sign Language Inclusion Crew engages those who are deaf and hard of hearing in meaningful work in the outdoors.
2025 ASL Inclusion Crew Details
Location: Pittsburgh, PA. The 2025 summer team will be a residential crew lodged at the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf.
Program Dates:
*The first and final days of each session are dedicated for travel to and from the lodging site in Pittsburgh, PA. Students are welcome to apply for a single session, or opt to participate in the full 6-week experience. There will be a program break July 18, 19, 20 for all crew members and leaders. Transportation assistance will be available to and from Pittsburgh, PA for each session.
Weekly Schedule: Monday – Friday; 7:30am – 3:30pm
Pay: $15/hr.
Apply NowThe SCA is seeking field leaders who are deaf or hard-of-hearing (age 21+) to supervise and train high-school aged participants in its American Sign Language Inclusion Conservation Crew. The crew will participate in hands-on conservation and infrastructure projects throughout Pennsylvania’s public lands, including trail maintenance, habitat restoration, facility maintenance and more. The SCA’s Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps American Sign Language Inclusion Crew engages those who are deaf and hard of hearing in meaningful work in the outdoors.
2025 ASL Inclusion Crew Details
Location: Pittsburgh, PA. The 2025 summer team will be a residential crew lodged at the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf.
Program Dates: June 8 – Aug. 12 (Paid training with travel required June 8 – June 18, 2025)
Weekly Schedule: Monday – Friday; 7:30am – 3:30pm
Pay: $19.38/hr.
Apply NowPA Outdoor Corps participants will learn valuable career readiness skills; increase their understanding of environmental and trail restoration techniques; learn the workings of State Parks and Forests; engage in professional development; and develop valuable professional skills through teambuilding and leadership activities.
CPR & First Aid
Environmental Education
Habitat Restoration
Leave No Trace
Outdoor Ethics
Resume Building
Infrastructure Maintenance
General Inquiries
Email: paoutdoorcorps@thesca.org
Ted Miller, Senior Program Manager
Email: tmiller@thesca.org
Stephen Luteran, Young Adult Program Manager
Email: sluteran@thesca.org
Vickery Lauro, Youth Program Manager
Email: vlauro@thesca.org
Join our community of supporters who care deeply about preserving parks, public lands and urban green spaces.
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