Ready to protect the environment in the nation’s capital?

Get hands-on conservation experience, explore the DMV’s natural areas, and launch your green career with SCA Urban Green. We’ve been transforming the capital region for over 20 years – join the movement!

Explore DMV Conservation Opportunities:

In Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, SCA Urban Green offers paid conservation jobs for high school students (ages 15-19). Join us to:

  • Build and Maintain Trails: Improve access to nature for everyone.
  • Construct Boardwalks: Protect sensitive ecosystems and enhance visitor experiences.
  • Manage Invasive Species: Safeguard native plants and animals.
  • Complete Countless Other Projects: Contribute to the health and beauty of our national, state, and regional parks.

Thousands of young people have participated in our programs, gaining valuable skills and making a lasting impact on their communities.

Our Programs

Thousands of young people have participated in our programs, gaining valuable skills and making a lasting impact on their communities. Explore current opportunities and learn more about the National Capital Region's conservation programs serving D.C., Maryland and Virginia.

  • High School | Ages 15-19

    Volunteer School Year Programs  These programs typically occur on weekends during the school year doing a variety of environmental education and service-related projects. High school members earn volunteer hours towards their required community service hours to graduate.

    Current Openings:

    DC Youth Tree Ambassadors
    The SCA seeks (two) high school students living or going to school in Ward 7 or Ward 8 of Washington, D.C., for a paid part-time weekend opportunity working towards local tree conservation and community engagement goals. Program Dates: Feb. – June 2024. Pay: $12.50/hour

    Summer High School Conservation Crew – These paid programs occur during the summer June-August season and offer members a transformative experience outdoors learning about the conservation job field.

    Coming Summer 2024:

    Paid Opportunities: High school Summer Conservation Crews in Rock Creek Park July – August. Gain work experience, and learn new skills while making core memories! Submit your information in the above interest form to stay updated when the application is available.

    Community Service Hours for Graduation: High school Urban Tree House Educator Interns receive 100 hours of unpaid volunteer community service hours in one summer internship! Submit your information in the above interest form to stay updated when the application is available.

  • Young Adult | Ages 18+

    Team-based Programs – Supervised by a 21+-year-old adult Crew Leader, young adult crew members aged 18+ years complete an array of field-based conservation projects as a collaborative team. Each crew has its own goals, including removing invasive plants from specific areas in a park, restoring dams, clearing downed hazard trees and more. Past Young Adult Crews include Maintenance Crews, Invasive Plant Removal Crews, Towpath Crews, Wayfinder Crews and more.

    Current Openings:

    C&O Canal Towpath Crew in Hancock, Md.
    Full-time paid opportunity for (1) crew member to serve the Hancock district of Maryland doing important maintenance of local trails or “towpath” and historical structures throughout the C&O Canal National Historical Park. Member will gain National Park Service experience, and certifications, and may earn a Public Land Corps hiring authority—a pathway towards federal jobs. Hiring on a rolling basis, apply ASAP for priority consideration. Program Dates: Now – April 2024 with potential for July 2024 end date. Pay: $1,200/bi-weekly stipend.

    Kenilworth Crew in Washington, D.C.
    Full-time paid opportunity for (four) crew members to work at a National Park with unique aquatic gardens nearing the Anacostia River. Crew members will gain experience in trail restoration and invasive plant removal, install signs for visitor use, and work to increase access to recreational resources at the park. Hiring on a rolling basis, apply ASAP for priority consideration. Program Dates: March 4 – April 12, 2024. Pay: $17/hr.

    Coming June 2024:

    Urban Forestry Young Adult Crew: Full-time paid opportunity for crew members serving in Washington, D.C. This crew will help conserve the District’s urban canopy by learning new skills, providing tree care maintenance, and planting new trees! Submit your information in the above interest form to stay updated when the application is available.

  • Internships | Ages 18+

    Internships (Ages 18+)

    Urban Tree House – A valuable environmental education resource for DC area youth grades K-12, the UTH Program provides programs onsite at Anacostia Park in Southeast Washington, DC and offsite at select youth centers. The UTH Crew provides free environmental education activities and learning experiences covering an array of topics, like fish migration, watersheds, native plants, how to take a nature walk, and more. The UTH Program utilizes National Park Service recreational and natural resources to teach outdoor skills and stewardship. For questions or interest in the Urban Tree House, please email uth@thesca.org.

    Coming June 2024:

    Summer 2024 Urban Tree House Program: Full-time paid opportunities for (two) interns serving in Washington, D.C. Under the guidance and leadership of a crew leader, interns will help provide two-hour sessions for youth campers during the July – August season. Submit your information in the above interest form to stay updated when the application is available.

  • Crew Leader Opportunities | Ages 21+

    Crew Leaders are paid outdoor professionals from varied backgrounds who mentor our high school and young adult participants, while making important decisions daily regarding the safety and well-being of our crew members. Along the way, you’ll gain experience and expertise in various conservation areas like trail building, habitat restoration, environmental education, urban forestry, and community outreach. These positions are great for young professionals building their conservation and environmental work experience.

    1. View current Crew Leader opportunities at the SCA Career Website

    2. Search Washington, D.C.; Maryland; or Virginia

    3. Search Field Leaders

    4. Submit your information in the above interest form to stay updated when Crew Leader positions become availableoiio

Skills & Training

Professional Development

Build practical skills for a rewarding career in conservation. Gain hands-on experience in trail building, habitat restoration, and teamwork. Learn about environmental issues, public land resources, and career readiness. Develop leadership skills and connect with a diverse community of passionate conservationists. SCA alumni emerge with increased environmental awareness, social responsibility, and leadership skills, ready to make a lasting impact.

CPR Certification First Aid Icon CPR Certification & First Aid
Environmental Education Icon Environmental Education
Habitat Restoration & Planting Trees Icon Habitat Restoration
Wildlife, Animals Monitored Icon Leave No Trace

Outdoor Ethics

Trail Skills Icon Trail Building
Resume Building, Onboarding Icons Resume Building

Key Partners

Generous support from public agencies, environmental organizations, schools, and community groups fuels SCA's Urban Green program, providing the DMV's youth and young adults with paid conservation opportunities each year.

Upcoming Events

  • SCA MLK Day of Service in Washington D.C.

    Join us for the Student Conservation Association’s MLK Day of Service in the nation’s capital.

    This event is open to the public.

  • Earth Day

    Join the Student Conservation Association for Earth Day events in Arlington and Alexandria, Virginia.

    The events are open to the public.

  • Corporate Community Events

    Join the Student Conservation Association for corporate-sponsored community events.

    More details, specific dates and locations to be announced.

    These events are open to the public.

  • Summer Events at Anacostia Park

    Join the Student Conservation Association for our free summer community events at  Anacostia Park, Washington, D.C.

    More details, specific dates and locations to be announced.

    These events are open to the public.

Contact Us

General Questions
Email: scadc@thesca.org

Application Questions
Raisa Barrera
National Capital Region Program Manager
Email: rbarrera@thesca.org

Urban Tree House Questions
Meredith Prescott
National Capital Region Program Coordinator
Email: mprescott@thesca.org

Partnership Questions
Zaheen Hussain
National Capital Region City Director
Email: zhussain@thesca.org