Conservation Internships Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Conservation begins here.

The Student Conservation Association (SCA), America's #1 conservation service organizationin partnership with the Forest Preserve District of Cook Countyseeks qualified applicants to sign up for our Young AdultGap YearConservation Leadership Corp!This position is designed to provide conservation job training experience for young adults,18yearsor older.

This18-weekprogrambeginsJune22ndand runs through October30th2026. Team members will gain vital workforce development skills and environmental education through hands-on service to the landandleadershipskills throughmentorship of high school teens during a summerjobhigh school program.

During Part 1 of the internship, you will work26hours per week(6/22-7/30) and during Part 2 (8/10-10/30) you will work 30hours per week, withan unpaidbreakbetweenAugust 3rd-August 7th

Program Snapshot:

• Program Dates:June 22-October 30, 2026

• Local Training Dates: June 24-June 27(Monday - Friday)

• Weekly Schedule:Part 1:Monday- Thursday,8am-3pm(30-minute unpaid lunch); Part 2: Monday - Thursday, 7 am - 3:30 pm (30-minute unpaid lunch)

• Program Hours:26hours Part 1; 30hours Part 2

• Pay Rates: Part 1: $17.50per hour, 26hours per week; Part 2: $18.50 per hour, 30hours per week

Location: River Forest, Illinois- Salt CreekMaintenanceCenter

Primary Responsibilities:

Completeas ateaman assortment of hands-on conservation and restoration projects within different areas in the Forest Preservesof Cook County andhelp co-leadweekly educational field daysfor high school students. During the summer(Part 1 of internship),crew members will act asAssistant Crew leaders(ACL)toa group of ten high school students at a local nature center through theChicago Conservation Leadership Corps program (CCLC).CCLC youth conducthands-on conservation activities including invasive plant removal and trailmaintenance projectsandparticipatein environmental education activities to gain knowledge about their local environment.During Part 2, internswillcreate a new team of 4crew members with 2crew leaders once the CCLC program ends.There will beaweekunpaidbreakAugust 3rd-7thsothe crew will be off to preparefor the start of the GAP Crew August 10th.This newly formedcrewwill performecological restorationandwill gain advanced conservation job skills andreal-worldexperienceto preparemembersfor future jobsin forestry and restoration skills.Work includestrainingandpracticeto remove invasive plants using herbicide, chainsaws, brush cutters as well astraining toconduct brush pile burns, collect native seeds, and advanced ecologyasdesignatedby the Forest Preserves of Cook County.

During the fallportionof the program, the GAP Crewmembers will become certified in CPR/First Aid, receive theiralternative herbicide certification, and gain certifications in chainsaw. As with all SCA crews,SCACommunity Core Curriculum will beutilizedto introduce topics such as self-care; mental health; Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion; conservation ethics; environmental justice; and more.

Specifically, the Crew Memberwill:

• Act as aCrewSupervisorAssistantbyfacilitatingteamwork, managing field-based tasks, and guiding crew dynamicsduring the summerfor high school youth
  • Serve as anAdvisor,by trainingyouthin technical conservation work skills, mentoring personal and professional development, and teaching environmental stewardship
  • Act as aProject ManagerAssistant, by communicatingwith your crew leaders,program partners, and other staffensuring successful andtimelycompletion of work projects, and upholding a positive representation of SCAand the Forest Preserves District of Cook County
  • Perform tasks as a crewby organizinglogistics, completing documentation, communicating effectively, having regular check-ins with program staff

• Marginal Duties:helping crew leaders with data collection, time sheet management, and tool maintenance

  Qualifications:

  • Experience or being open to working outdoors as a part of team in conservation leadershipduring all weather conditions
  • 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
  • Must be able to complete the full length of the program all18weeks:6 weeksJune 22nd-July30th and12 weeksAugust 10th-October 30th
  • Must be able to attend Local Crew training(6/22-6/27):
  • Must be a minimum of 18years of age
  • Must have ability to legally work in the US
  • Must be able to get to and from the morning pick-up location
  • Must be able to meet SCA's criminal background check standards
  • Knowledge of mid-western ecology, or knowledge of the forest preserves is a big plus

  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.