Maryland Conservation Jobs Corps

INTRODUCTION

The CJC program is a six-week employment opportunity through which Members receive marketable conservation work experience and the opportunity to network with professionals who are actively working in the field. Crews consist of 3-5 Members and one Leader. Over the years, CJC crews have contributed invaluable efforts in the parks, working to restore, conserve, and enhance public lands and waterways. In its first decade, the CJC quadrupled in size – initially engaging 100 youth in 2008 to over 400 youth in 2018! This jump in size represents a tremendous amount of interest from the Members, and a tremendous amount of coordination from the dedicated staff and partners supporting the program’s growth. The 2021 season marked the first year that the Student Conservation Association (SCA) managed the Maryland Conservation Jobs Corps in partnership with the Maryland Park Service. SCA will be hiring Crew Leaders annually for seasonal (June-August) positions.

CREW LEADER POSITION DETAILS

Crew Leaders work to guide and inspire a team of youth or young adults through conservation projects in Maryland State Parks such as invasive species removal, habitat restoration, landscaping, light construction projects, and trail work. Each leader is based out of a specific State Park for the duration of the program. State Parks in the past have included:

• Assateague State Park (Berlin, MD)
• Patapsco Valley State Park (Catonsville, MD & Marriottsville, MD)
• Southern Maryland Recreational Complex (Upper Marlboro, MD and various locations)
• Susquehanna State Park (Havre de Grace, MD)
• Gunpowder Falls State Park (Chase, MD)
• Seneca Creek State Park (Gaithersburg, MD)

Specifically, the Crew Leader will:

• Act as a Crew Supervisor, by facilitating teamwork, managing field-based tasks, and guiding crew dynamics
• Serve as an Advisor, by training members in technical conservation work skills, mentoring personal and professional development, and teaching environmental stewardship
• Act as a Project Manager, by communicating with agency park partners, ensuring successful and timely completion of work projects, and upholding a positive representation of SCA
• Perform tasks as a Program Administrator, by organizing logistics, completing documentation, managing a budget, and communicating with SCA staff

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

• Must be a minimum of 21 years of age
• Must have 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
• Must have personal housing arrangements near the State Park assigned to.
• Current First Aid and CPR certification required by the start of training
• Must be able to attend Crew Leader training
• Experience working with youth or young adults [18-24], teaching or environmental education a plus
• Experience with conservation work skills or related skills preferred – i.e. trail maintenance, trail construction, habitat restoration, chainsaw, carpentry, landscaping, and gardening
• Ability and enthusiasm to perform manual, physical labor for up to 8 hours per day, exposed to the elements and must occasionally lift and/or move 40 pounds or more

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement

BENEFITS

Training provided by SCA:

• Plant Identification
• Trail Building & Maintenance
• Tool Safety
• Body Mechanics
• Risk Management
• Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI)
• Communication & Professionalism
• Building Inclusive Community
• Reflective Leadership
• Conflict & Behavior Management
• Field-Based Teaching Techniques

Benefits provided by SCA:

This is a paid seasonal position.

READY TO APPLY?

If you have any questions about the position or application process, please contact the Program Manager, Anthony Peters, at apeters@thesca.org.