The Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps offers work experience, job training and educational opportunities to young people who complete recreation and conservation projects on Pennsylvania’s public lands.
In addition to hands-on job skills, the program provides learning opportunities weekly in resource management, environmental issues and topics and recreation skills.
Corps members also will be provided with workforce development training and materials during their period of employment.
Who’s Eligible?
The Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps consists of two components:
- A 10-month program for young adults ages 18-25 years. Crews will work February through November of 2018, in the Philadelphia, Wilkes-Barre, Williamsport, Harrisburg, Lewistown, Altoona, St. Marys, Meadville and Uniontown areas. Outdoor Corps members will work a 37.5-hour week and receive $10.25-per-hour compensation and health insurance. Daily transportation to and from the work site and breakfast and lunch also will be provided. You can learn more by clicking here.
- A six-week, summer program for youth between the ages of 15 and 18 years. Locations to be announced early 2018. Outdoor Corps members will work a 37.5-hour week and receive $10.15-per-hour compensation. Daily transportation to and from the work site and breakfast and lunch also will be provided.
Types of Projects
Outdoor Corps members will tackle hands-on projects in state and local parks, state forests and other public lands, such as:
- Trail restoration
- Habitat enhancement
- Tree planting
- Light construction
- Shoreline restorations
- Invasive species management
- Specialty projects in relation to recreation and conservation, which may include public outreach, research and assessments
While the majority of the project work will be performed on state park and forest lands, corps teams will be available on a cost-share basis to local land managers, such as municipal and county parks and recreation departments during 2018.
Goals and Background of the PA Outdoor Corps
The Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps will help to protect and restore public lands and waters, while providing young people with the knowledge and expertise to be good stewards of natural resources.
The program will connect youth and young adults with job opportunities relating to the outdoors and the environment and provide training in work skills necessary for future successful employment.
The youth employment and enrichment program is managed by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) in cooperation with the Student Conservation Association, a national conservation jobs organization that has engaged thousands of young people nationwide in hands-on service to the land to build the next generation of conservation leaders and inspire life-long stewardship of the environment and communities.
The 2018 Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps is financially-supported by DCNR and the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry’s Reemployment Program.