Field Leader – Gap Year Young Adult Conservation Leadership Corp 2026

The Student Conservation Association is seeking a Field Leader for the Gap Year Young Adult Conservation Leadership Corp 2026 in River Forest, IL. The role involves leading and mentoring high school students and young adults in conservation projects from June to November 2026. Responsibilities include supervising crews, facilitating environmental education, and managing project logistics. The position requires on-site presence and offers professional development opportunities.
Conservation Begins Here.

The Student Conservation Association (SCA), America’s #1 conservation service organization seeks qualified applicants to lead, educate, and inspire high school students and adult crew members for the Gap Year internship in partnership with the Forest Preserves of Cook County.

Program Snapshot:
• Position Dates: June 8 -November 7, 2026
• Mandatory Training Dates: SCA National Training June 8th-15th Location TBD
• Local Training Dates: June 22th-June 26th
• Hours per week: range 32-35 hour a week
• Pay: Weekly Salary of $736, paid bi weekly
• Weekly Crew Schedule: Part 1: June 29h-July 30th Monday- Thursday, 8 am-3 pm ; Part 2: Starting August 10th- October 30th:Monday – Thursday, 7 am – 3:30 pm; 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.
• Location: Chicagoland area, Cook County Illinois

Primary Responsibilities:

Co-lead, coordinate, supervise, transport, and mentor both high school youth and young adults for the summer and fall season for an 18-week experience. Complete an assortment of hands-on conservation and ecological restoration projects within different areas of the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Communicate with Forest Preserve staff to complete and track projects and training 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 (June-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 10 – October 30), 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.

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 the Forest Preserves, ensuring successful and timely completion of work projects, and upholding a positive representation of SCA
• Perform tasks as Program Administrator, by organizing logistics, completing documentation, tracking and managing needed tools and supplies, managing budget, and communicating with SCA staff

Marginal Duties: Member transportation to and from worksite; online reporting

Location: River Forest, IIlinois – Salt Creek Maintenance Center

Qualifications:
• Experience working with others 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 National and Local Crew Leader training
• 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
• Ability to obtain 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

Compensation:
• $736 weekly salary, pay day is biweekly: paid during training

Candidates strongly encouraged to apply by May 1st, 2026

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.