Field Leader- Chicago Conservation Leadership Corps- GAP Year Crew

Student Conservation Association

Chicago, IL, United States

Position Summary

The Student Conservation Association (SCA), America's #1 conservation service organization in partnership with the Forest Preserve District of Cook County seeks qualified applicants to sign up for our Young Adult Gap Year Conservation Leadership Corps! This position is designed to provide conservation job training experience for young adults, ages 18-22.

This 19-week program begins June 24 and runs through October 30, 2025. Team members will gain vital workforce development skills and environmental education through hands-on service to the land and leadership skills through mentorship of high school teens during a summer job high school program.

Schedule

June 9, 2025 - November 7, 2025

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Co-lead, coordinate, supervise, transport, and mentor both high school youth and young adults for the summer and fall season for a 19-week experience (Mon-Thurs, 35 hours/week). Complete an assortment of hands-on conservation and ecological restoration projects within different areas in the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Communicate with Forest Preserve staff to complete and track projects and trainings and ensure work is completed successfully following best management practices. Administrative and reporting duties are required such as data management, photo documentation, and participant assessments. Crew leaders will also be expected to facilitate a provided environmental education curriculum for participants as well as complete final reports.

The first 5 weeks (July) of the program involves leading young adults and a team of ten high school youth in conservation work and environmental education at a local nature center through the Chicago Conservation Leadership Program. In the second part of the program (August – October), you will co-lead five young adults, who acted as assistant crew leaders during the summer, in a deeper experience to gain advanced ecological restoration skills, certifications, and practice that allow one to pursue a career in restoration and land management. The work the program does ensures healthy land for people, native plants, and wildlife in the oldest and largest Forest Preserve in the United States.

The position provides excellent professional networking and professional development opportunities.
Program Snapshot:

Program Dates: ¬ June 30-November 4, 2025
Hours per week: 34 hours per week, Monday – Thursday; a 1-hour mandatory planning meeting on Fridays
Pay: $23.50 per hour
Weekly Crew Schedule: ¬ Part 1: Monday- Thursday, 8 am-3:30 pm (30-minute unpaid lunch); Part 2: Monday – Thursday, 7 am – 3:30 pm (30-minute unpaid lunch); 1-5 hours per week in additional hours to conduct administrative duties including but not limited to transporting high school youth to designated nature centers.
Mandatory Training Dates: ¬SCA National Training June 9th-22nd Location TBD; Local Training Dates: June 24th-June 27th
Location: Chicagoland area, Cook County Illinois

Marginal Duties

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 the Forest Preserves, 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, tracking and managing needed tools and supplies, managing a budget, and communicating with SCA staff

Required Qualifications

Experience working with other in in a team setting to accomplish project goals is preferred
Experience teaching or conducting environmental education activities is 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 to perform manual, physical labor for up to 8 hours per day, exposed to the elements and most occasionally lift and/or move 40 pounds or more in all weather conditions
Must be able to attend both SCA and Local Crew Leader training
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 a State of Illinois general standards herbicide license or be willing to obtain one by no later than program start (June 30th)
Knowledge of mid-western ecology, or knowledge of the forest preserves is a big plus

Preferred Qualifications

Hours

35 per week

Living Accommodations

No housing offered for this position

Compensation

$23.50 an hour -35 hours/ 22 weeks, paid training

All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes.

Additional Benefits

Defensive Drive Training
First Aid/CPR
Wilderness First Aid 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.