Individual Placement Position – Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Program Participant – Gunflint RD

The Student Conservation Association is hiring for a summer Individual Placement Position in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, MN. Participants will assist in maintaining campsites and trails, engage in visitor education, and camp overnight for up to 8 days. The position requires physical stamina for lifting and portaging equipment. Housing is provided, and applicants must be between 16-30 years old or veterans under 35. Compensation includes a weekly allowance and travel reimbursement.
Position Summary

This Summer program will take place in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), located within the Superior National Forest. The Boundary Waters is one of the most heavily visited wilderness areas in the National Wilderness Preservation System. Within the one million acres of largely canoe-based travel lies over 2000 campsites and hundreds of miles of trails and portages. The participant will assist our portage and campsite maintenance crew for the Gunflint and Tofte Ranger Districts. Work will include routine trail and campsite maintenance, rehab projects, visitor education, and visitor use monitoring. This is an arduous position that involves lifting and portaging 50+ pound tool packs, overnight gear, and canoes. Participants will be required to camp overnight for up to 8 days/7 nights. Main mode of travel is with canoes, but motorboats may be used as well.

Schedule

May 19, 2025 – August 8, 2025

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Overnight camping trips for up to 8 days in length; • Maintaining campsites and portages using traditional (non-motorized) tools; • Assisting with visitor education of Leave-No-Trace principles and rules and regs; • Assisting with monitoring programs (biophysical and social);

Marginal Duties

• Driving to trailheads and entry points to post educational materials; • Maintaining tools, equipment, vehicles, and work spaces; • Taking part in trainings and district meetings;

Required Qualifications

No required qualifications for this position.

This SCA Position is authorized under the Public Land Corps Authority. All participants must be between the ages of 16 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

• Experience with wilderness or backcountry camping and travel; • Paddling experience, preferably canoeing; • Experience using traditional tools such as crosscut saws, axes, shovels, pulaskis; • Working in a team setting; • Valid driver’s license, personal vehicle recommended for off-duty time;

Hours

40 per week

Living Accommodations

Housing is provided on site; • Participants will have a single or double room in a bunkhouse-style setting; • Shared bathrooms, kitchen, and living space; • Bathrooms are shared but designed for one person at a time and have locks; • Single gender bunkhouses may be available;

Compensation

• $450/week Living Allowance; • $1,100 To/From Travel Allowance, paid once with first paycheck; • Housing provided; • $200 reimbursable allowance for equipment/safety gear;

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

Personal Vehicle Information

Recommended

Additional Benefits

Bear Safety

Defensive Drive Training

First Aid/CPR

AmeriCorps: Eligible/Optional

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.