Field Leader - Fall 2026 Angeles National Forest Restoration Corps

**Conservation Corps – 2026 Western Corps Angeles National Forest Restoration Team** **Project Leader: Fall 2026 Angeles National Forest Restoration Team Angeles National Forest – Los Angeles Gateway Ranger District** **Position Summary** **Conservation Begins Here.** Are you ready to lead a high impact conservation project, mentor emerging conservationists, and work closely with U.S. Forest Service partners to protect sensitive postfire landscapes? Join the Student Conservation Association (SCA) as the **Project Leader** for our **Fall 2026 Angeles National Forest Restoration Team** — a role that blends leadership, logistics, technical fieldwork, and meaningful ecological restoration. You’ll guide a 4‑person crew through the installation of approximately **700 feet of metal post**‑**and**‑**cable OHV barriers**, helping prevent illegal off‑highway vehicle (OHV) access and supporting long-term habitat recovery in one of the most heavily impacted regions of the Angeles National Forest. **Schedule** **Position Dates:** **8/17/2026 – 11/25/2026** - Total Term: **15 weeks** - **Leader Preseason:** **8/17/2026 – 9/6/2026** - **Crew Member Training:** - Crew Member Training: **9/14 – 9/17** - Wilderness First Aid: **9/18 – 9/19** - Conservation Work Skills: **9/20 - 9/24** - **Field Season:** **9/28/2026 – 11/19/2026** - **Crew Members Depart:** **11/21/2026** - **Leader Postseason Wrap Up:** **11/23/2026 – 11/25/2026** **Location** Angeles National Forest – Los Angeles Gateway Ranger District Primary project sites are located within the **Drinkwater Flat OHV Area** and surrounding postfire landscapes. Crew camping will be based at **Castaic Lake State Recreation Area** or a comparable front country site. **Key Duties and Responsibilities** These are the essential functions of the role: **Leadership & Crew Management** - Supervise, mentor, and support a crew of 3 Crew Members - Foster a positive, inclusive, and safety‑focused crew culture - Facilitate daily check-ins, debriefs, and conflict resolution - Lead training on tool use, safety, field protocols, and project expectations **Project Implementation** - Coordinate daily with U.S. Forest Service staff - Install metal post‑and‑cable barriers according to partner specifications - Oversee digging post holes, mixing/pouring cement, setting posts, and tensioning cable - Manage material staging, tool inventory, and equipment maintenance - Ensure accurate GPS mapping and documentation of installed barriers **Logistics & Administration** - Develop weekly schedules and work plans - Conduct vehicle inspections, grocery planning, and camp logistics - Maintain daily and weekly work logs, before/after photos, and partner reports - Uphold SCA risk management protocols, including twice daily check‑ins - Complete end‑of‑season reporting and project wrap up **Marginal Duties** These tasks support the role but are not essential functions: - Support budget tracking and purchasing - Coordinate with other SCA teams or partners as needed - Assist with emergency response or incident reporting - Drive crew vehicle and trailer **Required Qualifications** - Must be 21 or older by the start date - Legal work authorization in the U.S. - Valid driver’s license for 3+ years and MVR that meets SCA standards - Experience leading teams in outdoor, conservation, or service settings - Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills - Perform manual labor for up to 10 hours/day, lift 40+ lbs, and hike 3–5 miles/day - Work in challenging outdoor conditions, including: High heat (90–105°F), Santa Ana winds, dust, cement exposure, and rocky soils - Live and work in a communal, multigendered environment - Commitment to SCA’s safety, equity, and inclusion values **Preferred Qualifications** - Previous SCA leadership experience or similar conservation leadership role - Experience with construction, fencing, trail work, or restoration projects - Familiarity with GPS mapping - Experience coordinating with a…