Urban Green – Charles County Community Tree Care Team

The Student Conservation Association is hiring for the 2025 Charles County Youth Summer Forestry Crew in La Plata, MD. The team will engage in native tree planting and care, community outreach, and environmental education from July 14 to September 5, 2025. Candidates must be 21+, able to perform physical labor, and possess a valid driver’s license. Compensation is $20/hour for 40 hours per week.
Conservation Begins Here

2025 Charles County Youth Summer Forestry Crew

Position Summary

The team will assist the Charles County Resilience Authority strengthen Charles County Public Schools impact on climate resilience through native tree planting and care. The team will support native tree planting and long-term maintenance of those trees. Project tasks may include: native tree care maintenance of planted trees, community outreach and engagement, field reports, and data collection. Training may include: 1) tree care and maintenance best practices 2) safe field tool use 3) plant ID and 4) environmental education.

Location

Waldorf, MD

Schedule

July 14, 2025 – September 5, 2025

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Project tasks may include:
• Watering of native trees planted throughout different schools and public buildings throughout Charles County, MD
• Tree care including watering, mulching, and pruning of trees; Community outreach & engagement; Data collection including qualitative and quantitative information (pictures, observations, height, etc.)
• Participate in environmental education
• Help lead volunteer groups through tree care projects
• Community engagement and outreach
• Professional development like: SMART Goals setting, Letter of Reflection Program Feedback Surveys, Member Reflection Surveys
• Help develop content for social media posts and outreach

Marginal Duties

Team members should expect to complete ~3-5 hours/weekly to complete administration and reporting tasks. These tasks may include coding expense receipts, uploading photos from the field, writing incident reports, submitting and approving timecards, among other things.

Age Requirement

Must be 21+ years old

Required Qualifications
• Ability 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
• Must be a minimum of 21 years of age
• Must have the 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

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with conservation work skills or related skills preferred – i.e., trail maintenance, trail construction, habitat restoration, chainsaw, carpentry, landscaping, and gardening

Hours

40 hours per week

Compensation

$20.00/hourly, bi-weekly pay

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

Personal Vehicle Information

Recommended

General Physical Requirements
• Able to understand, adhere to, and communicate with others regarding hazards, procedures, and safety policies.
• Able to stay alert and engaged for extended periods of program time.
• Able to independently manage known medical conditions with the resources available throughout the position or program.
• Able to wear all required personal protective equipment, including internal or external, safety glasses, hard hats, gloves, N95 or other approved face mask or shield, chaps, and appropriate footwear.
• Able to refrain from behaviors and actions that disrupt the work and safety of others.
• Able to cooperate with others to complete daily group tasks, responsibilities, and project work under potentially difficult conditions, variable daily routines, and with limited personal time.
• Able to self-regulate or co-regulate emotions and actions when distressed or uncomfortable, with or without the support of others.
• Able to self-manage outdoor and environmental exposure (e.g., temperature, wind, sun, etc.) in a variety of weather conditions.
• Able to manage all personal belongings without the assistance from a supervisor.
• If using prescription medications, able to self-medicate by following the prescribed dosage, usage, and timing with supervisor assistance. If prescription medication is administered via injection, able to self-administer the injection (except possibly at the direction of higher medical authority in emergency situations).

Working Conditions
• Work schedules and projects may change on short notice or be ambiguous.
• Work settings require the ability to positively interact with people of varying cultures and perspectives.
• Natural environments and culturally significant locations that require respect to the land and indigenous peoples.
• Inclement and severe weather conditions, including heavy rain and flash flooding, gusty and strong winds, foggy or decreased visibility, and lightning events.
• Decreased or inclement air quality conditions due to wildfire smoke or smog.
• Warm temperatures and adverse heat conditions which could include temperatures in some regions up to 110°F or hotter.
• Exposure to natural and environmental hazards such as, poison ivy, oak, or sumac, tick and mosquito -borne illness, snakes, and potential for other wildlife encounters.
• Exposure and potential contact to bear habitat and wildlife.

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.