Is Student Conservation Association a good company to work for?

Student Conservation Association has an overall rating of 4.0 out of 5, based on over 312 reviews left anonymously by employees. This rating has been stable over the past 12 months. 91% of employees would recommend working at Student Conservation Association to a friend and 60% have a positive outlook for the business. The best reviews about Student Conservation Association have been left by employees working as Crew Leader , Crew Member and Intern .

Does Student Conservation Association pay their employees well?

According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, Student Conservation Association employees rate their compensation and benefits as 3.1 out of 5. Find out more about salaries and benefits at Student Conservation Association. This rating has improved by 4% over the last 12 months.

How satisfied are employees working at Student Conservation Association?

91% of Student Conservation Association employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews . Employees also rated Student Conservation Association 3.8 out of 5 for work life balance, 4.2 for culture and values and 3.8 for career opportunities.

What are the top reviewed jobs at Student Conservation Association?

Crew Member (22) , Intern (21) , Crew Leader (20) , Community Crew Leader (8) , Environmental Educator (6) , Project Leader (5) , Human Resources Assistant (4) , Program Manager (4) , Crew Lead (3) , National Program Coordinator (3) , Natural Resource (3) , Recruiter (3) , Wildlife Technician (3) , Conservation Intern (2) , Environmental Education Intern (2)

What are the pros of working at Student Conservation Association according to real employee reviews?

"Offered a great opportunity to see the country." ((in 18 reviews)); "Great people and atmospher." ((in 15 reviews)); "Staff are friendly." ((in 10 reviews)); "Coworkers are great" ((in 5 reviews)); "on conservation projects.Travel costs are covered and training is provided." ((in 5 reviews))

What are the cons of working at Student Conservation Association according to real employee reviews?

"low paying and temporary positions" ((in 37 reviews)); "Poor leadership" ((in 6 reviews)); "There is no good communication." ((in 5 reviews)); "For a 10 month internship it was around $200/week." ((in 5 reviews)); "Long hours" ((in 4 reviews))

What are employees saying about Student Conservation Association layoffs in 2026?

Explore Glassdoor’s employee reviews to understand what current and former employees are saying about Student Conservation Association layoffs and their outlook for job security at Student Conservation Association in 2026.

What are the top reviewed Student Conservation Association locations?

Chicago , New York , Washington , Arlington , Anchorage , Pittsburgh , Houston , Seward , San Francisco , Seattle , Ray Brook , Morrisville , Gustavus , Cleveland , Ridgecrest , Manchester , Philadelphia , Clinton , Boise , Falls Church , Springfield , Albany , Depew , Rosendale , Bear Mountain , Brooklyn , Madison , Tucson , Hoonah , Soldotna

Student Conservation Association reviews

4.0

91% would recommend to a friend

(164 total reviews)

Jaime Matyas

55% approve of CEO

60% positive business outlook

Company ratings over time

Ratings trend for the last 6 months (164 reviews)

Ratings by demographic groups

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

Sexual orientation

Disability

Parent or family caregiver

Veteran status

Student Conservation Association has an employee rating of 4.0 out of 5 stars, based on 164 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The Student Conservation Association employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Management & Consulting industry (3.7 stars).

Reviews by job title

164 reviews

1.0

May 1, 2015

Six years: Intern, Project Leader, then Program Manager

Program manager

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

- Great mission, challenging and meaningful work. - Good benefits especially PTO (if you can actually take time off from work). - Colleagues are great - Lax dress code

Cons

- Extremely stressful. - 60 hour work week is not uncommon. Staff expected to take a lot of initiative. - Top-heavy organization. Too many VP's, Senior VPs, and Directors. - Silo Mentality; departments do not share information, reduces efficiency. - Position descriptions and job responsibilities are intentionally vague, creates duplication of effort. - Hierarchies and processes in place that create too much process. - Highly reactive and chaotic organization. - Antiquated and incompatible software and technologies have created broken financial systems. - Decisions (often knowingly) based on incorrect financial data. - Multiple rounds of downsizing. Company culture and staff morale have suffered.

2.0

Apr 9, 2013

Poor oversight, top-heavy, culture of defensiveness, understaffed.

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Excellent PTO- plus opportunities to accrue Alternative Transportation days, etc. Endless off-job-description tasks mean you can build up your skill set. Not too terrible if you're a temporary staff member (crew leader or intern)-- but don't expect to be treated well if you're hired on.

Cons

Where do I even start? Total lack of accountability from the top down-- discussed projects and initiatives never materialize. Way, way, way too many mid-level managers, none of whom are ever let go, even when their performance has been terrible. Staff at the ground level continuously have other people's work dumped on them. Outdated program model, which they stubbornly cling to as they lose money and staff, instead of putting resources into new ventures. Many cuts over the past 5 years, and more to come if the culture of defensiveness and fear of change aren't addressed. Very poor training/support. Health benefits are very expensive for coverage that isn't that great.

3.0

Jun 15, 2016

Improvement is coming - but until then, you are on your own.

Program manager

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Flexible work schedule You can truly make a difference in the lives of others and for the environment Lots of autonomy for solo offices Plenty of opportunity to build local partnerships

Cons

Absolutely no training for new staff It's not your job to grant write, but if you want to keep your program funded, you will need to. (Advancement has no absolutely goals they are required to meet, and if they fall short on money, they simply cut your program instead of holding advancement accountable.) Top executive heavy (and neither they, nor you, will know what their purpose is.)

Viewing 4 - 6 of 164 Reviews

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