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 313 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?

"Great opportunities to connect people to nature." ((in 17 reviews)); "Great people and atmospher." ((in 14 reviews)); "Staff are friendly." ((in 10 reviews)); "Coworkers are great" ((in 7 reviews)); "on conservation projects.Travel costs are covered and training is provided." ((in 7 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)); "Long hours" ((in 4 reviews)); "Corrupt management" ((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 , Berkeley , Manchester , Philadelphia , Clinton , Boise , Falls Church , Springfield , Albany , Depew , Rosendale , Bear Mountain , Brooklyn , Madison , Tucson , Hoonah

Student Conservation Association reviews

4.0

91% would recommend to a friend

(165 total reviews)

Jaime Matyas

55% approve of CEO

60% positive business outlook

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 165 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

165 reviews

1.0

Jun 2, 2017

Not the organization it used to be (or should be)

Director

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Generous benefits - but good luck using them Field experience is amazing Meaningful experience for participants

Cons

Poor leadership Dysfunctional executive team that is out of touch but attempts to micro manage Significant increase in amount of program managed by single individuals Significant brain drain of experienced staff due to firings, layoffs, voluntary departures Decrease in staff and training WILL result in overwork, a less positive experience for participants and increase in real risk.

1.0

Jun 2, 2017

Stay in the field, never join the management staff

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

SCA does amazing work in the field. The participants and leaders grow immensely, while doing meaningful service work.

Cons

The executive leadership team is dysfunctional. They are top-down micro-managers that do not have any experience with the programming and mission that they seek to represent. While increasing in role and title, real authority and respect from the leadership team was greatly reduced. This left me with real accountability, but no authority. While there is great career potential to a certain point, the risk of being dismissed is high. Many quality peers were "downsized" without mentorship, support or feedback. The benefits package is generous, if you are able to use it. Continued downsizing, increased workload, lack of connection to the field and mission are resulting in diminishing participant experience and increased risk to participants.

5.0

May 24, 2017

Director

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Remarkable leadership. Lots of positive change in the last few years. CEO is now a Jaime Matyas not Dale Penny. Very strong.

Cons

None. It's a nonprofit so always lots of challenges. But SCA is the industry leader. Very creative.

Viewing 124 - 126 of 165 Reviews

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