Field Leader - Cleveland Young Tree Care Team

Student Conservation Association; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 17,000 - 19,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary $850/week

Uniform package

Paid time off

Professional network

Training & certifications

Job summary

The Student Conservation Association's Cleveland Tree Care Team seeks a Field Leader to guide on-the-ground urban forestry projects in Cleveland, manage schedules and a crew, and support budget and administration. You will supervise safety, coordinate logistics, and mentor young team members while advancing environmental justice.

The role runs May 18 through Sept 26, with full-time hours, field training, and opportunities to build professional networks and gain certifications in urban forestry

Qualifications

• Documented youth mentorship experience (ages 18–25).
• Hands-on outdoor conservation experience (landscaping, trailwork, tree care).
• Valid driver's license (3+ years) and clean driving record per MVR.
• Age 21+, legally eligible to work in the U.S.; able to attend training.
• CPR/Wilderness First Aid certification or equivalent required.

Responsibilities

• Crew supervision and safety in daily field tasks.
• Lead and oversee projects, manage tools, scheduling, budgets.
• Coordinate logistics, food, transportation for the crew.
• Build relationships with agency partners and represent SCA.
• Provide training in conservation skills and leadership; mentor team.

Skills

Youth experience

Conservation experience

Driving & background check

Additional requirements

Certification

Education

CPR certification & Wilderness First Aid or approved 16-hour First Aid course

Job description

Schedule

Leader Position Dates: 5/18/2026 - 9/26/2026

Position Description

Project Location: Community Tree Planting sites in and around Cleveland

The Cleveland Tree Care Team Leader will lead team projects on the ground and complete urban and community forestry work alongside team members. In addition, the leader will track and manage the crew schedule and budget, and complete weekly administrative duties including submitting output logs, reporting incidents, checking in with SCA Program staff, approving member timecards, and managing the SCA team vehicle. The team leader has a unique opportunity to advance community forestry and environmental justice in Cleveland, while working to build the next generation of conservation leaders.

SCA's Cleveland Tree Care Team works together to advance environmental justice by maintaining Cleveland's urban forest in low-canopy neighborhoods. The team is partnering with community groups that have identified priority tree care needs, including watering, young tree training and pruning, mulching, staking, and fencing, invasive plant removal, general site maintenance, and tracking. In addition, the crew will engage with the local community and partner organizations by supporting related community tree care projects, sharing information about the benefits trees provide, and additional community engagement projects centered on collaboration, learning, and the urban forest.

The Cleveland Tree Care Team will consist of 3 young adult members (18 years of age or older) and 1 Team Leader. Members meet at a centralized location and are transported in an SCA vehicle to their work sites each day by the Team Leader. The team will work together through a variety of weather conditions during their season. Members should feel able to perform physical labor outdoors for up to 8 hours per day, and lift and carry 50 lbs or more occasionally.

In addition to regular project work with partners in Cleveland, this Tree Care team will have the opportunity to participate formal and informal trainings and events in northeast Ohio and online.

Specifically, the Field 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 agency park partners, ensuring successful and timely completion of work projects, and upholding a positive representation of SCA;
• Perform tasks as a Program Administrator, by organizing logistics, completing documentation, managing a budget, and communicating with SCA staff.

Field Leader Benefits:

• Salary: $850/week living allowance (pre-tax)*
• SCA warm weather uniform package
• Four (4) days of paid time off (PTO) during the field season (June 8 - September 15)
• Access to a national network of professional resources and alumni peer group
• Training - SCA Field Leader Training, Wilderness First Aid, ongoing professional development training and mentorship, urban forestry training and option to seek relevant certifications, value $2000+

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

Field Leader Responsibilities

• CREW SUPERVISION AND SAFETY: Supervise crew members during daily tasks, maintaining a physically and emotionally safe environment as per SCA’s Field Guide;
• WORK PROJECT MANAGEMENT: Lead and oversee work projects (e.g., watering, habitat restoration), managing tool maintenance, equipment logistics, scheduling, and timely completion;
• TEAM OPERATIONS & LOGISTICS: Coordinate food planning, transportation, tool logistics, and equipment for efficient team operations in collaboration with SCA Program staff;
• RELATIONSHIP & COMMUNICATION MANAGEMENT: Build and maintain positive relationships with agency partners, handling all program logistics and representing SCA professionally;
• TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT: Provide training in conservation skills, tool usage, leadership, environmental stewardship, and personal development; mentor team members in field management as applicable;
• RISK MANAGEMENT: Assess and actively manage risks to ensure a safe work environment;
• ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION: Plan and conduct educational sessions aligned with SCA’s Conservation Curriculum to enhance environmental understanding and stewardship;
• ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES: Manage program documentation, including pre- and post-program paperwork, logs, incident reports, equipment inventories, and budget reconciliation. Administrative tasks will require approximately 5 hours per week outside of the crew workday;
• PROGRAM REPRESENTATION: Professionally represent SCA in all interactions with agency partners, crew members, parents, and the community;
• Other duties as needed to support crew needs and project objectives.

Required Qualifications

• YOUTH EXPERIENCE: Documented experience with young adults (ages 18-25) in an educational, mentorship, or conservation capacity;
• CONSERVATION EXPERIENCE: Experience with hands-on outdoor conservation work, including but not limited to landscaping, trailbuilding, tree care, or similar;
• DRIVING & BACKGROUND CHECK: Must have a valid driver’s license for 3 or more years and meet SCA’s MVR and criminal background check standards;
• ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Minimum age of 21; legally authorized to work in the U.S.; able to attend mandatory SCA training sessions including possible out of town leadership training;
• CERTIFICATION: CPR certification & Wilderness First Aid or approved 16-hour First Aid course equivalent required.

Schedule

• Team Leader's work schedule is expected to be full-time, from May 18 - Sept 26
• Team Leader training and season preparation is planned for May 18 - June 5; the team starts in the field June 8 and their season wrap up Sept 19
• Team Leader's final week (Sept 20-26) will be reserved for program closeout activities
• Field hours will generally be Tuesday-Saturday from 8am-4:30pm, with additional time to complete regular administrative tasks outside those hours
• Weekly schedule may be adjusted to accommodate planned weekend projects as needed;
• Start and end time and days worked may be adjusted periodically to meet programmatic needs or adapt to variable weather conditions;
• Members must serve a minimum of 37 hours per week, preferably 40 hours per week; leader will serve up to 45 hours per week.

Housing

Housing is not provided as part of this position.

Personal Vehicle

Not required; Must have drivers license, at least 3 years of driving experience, and driving record that meets SCA requirements

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.

Special Benefits

Field Leader Benefits:

• Salary: $850/week living allowance (pre-tax)*
• SCA warm weather uniform package
• Four (4) days of paid time off (PTO) during the field season (June 8 - September 15)
• Access to a national network of professional resources and alumni peer group
• Training - SCA Field Leader Training, Wilderness First Aid, ongoing professional development training and mentorship, urban forestry training and option to seek relevant certifications, value $2000+

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

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• YOUTH EXPERIENCE: Documented experience with young adults (ages 18-25) in an educational, mentorship, or conservation capacity;
• CONSERVATION EXPERIENCE: Experience with hands-on outdoor conservation work, including but not limited to landscaping, trailbuilding, tree care, or similar;
• DRIVING & BACKGROUND CHECK: Must have a valid driver’s license for 3 or more years and meet SCA’s MVR and criminal background check standards;
• ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Minimum age of 21; legally authorized to work in the U.S.; able to attend mandatory SCA training sessions including possible out of town leadership training;
• CERTIFICATION: CPR certification & Wilderness First Aid or approved 16-hour First Aid course equivalent required.

Why work here

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, and community green spaces across the country.
SCA’s Urban Green program advances urban climate resilience by protecting, restoring and enhancing public lands and waters as well as natural, cultural, and historical resources across the United States. Service activities focus critical stewardship projects that improve and protect at-risk ecosystems and resources, especially in underserved urban communities.