Conservation Starts Here. 

Do you dream about being outside surrounded by nature every day? Would you love the chance to hike, camp and backpack as a part of your workday? Are you looking to gain the skills and experience required to kickstart your conservation career?  

This is an opportunity to live and serve within the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York (2.5 hours away from Albany, NY) with a team of like-minded outdoor enthusiasts performing critical conservation and trail work projects. 

Members serve from remote backcountry tent camps set up near work projects for up to 10 days at a time. Crews may also work from front country camps (close to road access) depending upon project. When not in the field, the crew members share cabins at the Adirondack Corps basecamp.

About Us: 

The Student Conservation Association (SCA) is the largest provider of hands-on environmental conservation programs for youth and adults. Program participants protect and restore national parks, national forests, wildlife refuges, marine sanctuaries, cultural landmarks, community green spaces, and much more across the country.  

SCA Adirondack AmeriCorps partners with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to address the conservation needs of the Adirondack region. This program provides valuable assistance to the NYS DEC with achieving their goals and responsibilities in managing the land within the Adirondack Park through completion of priority conservation service projects. 

The Adirondack Corps has served the trails, lakes, and communities of the Adirondacks for the past 27 years, clearing thousands of blowdowns from trails, building hundreds of bridges, and constructing miles of new trail. Become part of this legacy of service and apply today! 

Schedule 

Program Dates: May 12th, 2025 - October 17th, 2025 

Corps Member Training Period: May 12th, 2025 - June 13th, 2025 (Roughly 5 weeks) *

Field Work: June 16th, 2025 – October 10th, 2025 (Hitch Schedule) * 

Season Wrap-Up: October 13th, 2025 - October 17th, 2025 *

Hitch Schedule:

• 10 days on, 4 days off (Most often); 5 days on, 2 days off (Occasionally) 
• Camping remotely with team for “days on” and returning to cabins at HQ for “days off” 

*Please note – this is a tentative schedule. Dates may change, but training opportunities will remain the same.

Key Duties and Responsibilities 

• Trail construction and maintenance (i.e. trail clearing, bridge construction, stone structure construction).
• Invasive species management.  
• Infrastructure maintenance (i.e. fire tower restoration, lean-to construction) and historic preservation (i.e. painting/ staining cabins, minor repairs and maintenance).

Marginal Duties 

• Fully engaging in a variety of trainings and certifications in technical trail skills, crew management, and outdoor living skills.  
• Being a part of a community and working hard alongside others to protect the land.  

Required Qualifications 

• Must be 18 or older by the position start date. 
• Must have the ability to legally work in the US. 
• Ability to enroll in AmeriCorps Education Award Program. 
• Ability to pass SCA background check. 
• Full engagement in all work projects and community activities. 
• Must uphold project, crew community, basecamp, vehicle, and general safety standards. 
• Commitment to teamwork, learning, and problem-solving. 
• Ability to work in challenging outdoor conditions that will include, extreme heat, extreme cold, high winds, and precipitation. 
• Ability to perform manual, physical labor for up to 10 hours per day, hike 5+ miles in a day and occasionally lift and/or move 40 pounds or more.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Camping and/or backpacking experience. 
• Experience using hand tools. 
• Strong interpersonal skills and community living experience. 
• For driver eligibility, must be over 21 years old, possess a valid driver’s license for 3+ years, a Motor Vehicle Record that meets SCA standards and complete SCA driver training.

Hours 

40+ per week

Living Accommodations 

Housing is provided during training season, off-days, and during break.  

• Our housing is provided by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) at the Whitney boat Launch on Tupper Lake.  
• There are 3 houses for members. 6-8 members will share a house with a full kitchen, communal living space, and garage. Members will have a roommate. 
• DEC and SCA staff also live in housing facilities at Whitney. 

Members will be camping for 5 days or 10 days at a time throughout the season. 

• Members will have a tentmate while camping. 

The program operates out of the William C. Whitney headquarters. 

• It is at least a ~20 min/20 mile drive to nearest town of Tupper Lake (very small town)  
• Whitney has limited cell service. 
• There is a communal conference room, kitchen, limited Wi-Fi, and laundry (washer only) within HQ.

Member Benefits

• $500 Weekly Living Stipend. 
• $3,697.50* AmeriCorps Education Award upon successful completion of the program.
• Americorps Eligible/ Required (applicable benefits include Student Loan Forbearance). 
• Group camping gear (i.e. tents, stoves, and filters) are provided. 
• Full room and board for duration of program (housing provided at ADK Corps basecamp, and food/kitchen facilities provided both in field and on weekends).
• Valuable trainings and certifications (see below).
• Need-based Travel Allowance available. 

*900-hour Segal AmeriCorps Education Award value contingent to applicable fiscal year. 

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

Training and Leadership Development

All training costs are included in the program - listed is the commercial value of each training for reference. 

• Wilderness First Responder (WFR) and CPR Certification - $900 
• Game of Logging Chainsaw Certification* - $400 
• Rigging and Grip hoist Use for Trail Work* - $400 
• Leave No Trace (LNT) Level 1 Instructor - $150 
• ACA Canoe Training - $75 
• Comprehensive Trail Construction Skills including Native Timber, Stonework and New Trail Design 
• Back Country Living Skills 
• Bear Safety
• Crew Management and Leadership 
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion training 
• Defensive Driver Training 
• Teamwork, Leadership, Risk Management and Conflict Resolution Skills Training 

Total value of trainings: $2,045 

Total value of room and board per person: $2,676 

* Members will specialize in one of these skills

Personal Vehicle Information

Highly recommended due to rural location but not required.

Equal Opportunity Statement 

SCA strives to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all staff members. SCA is committed to maintaining a work atmosphere in which people of diverse backgrounds and lifestyles may grow personally and professionally. The Student Conservation Association, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. 

 Physical requirements and working conditions specific to the position are available in the full job description. 

The Student Conservation Association, Inc. is an equal-opportunity employer. Click here to learn more about Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at the SCA.