Youth Conservation Corps

A row of young people wearing grey YCC shirts, orange hard hats, and holding shovels stand in front of a glaciated mountain peak with a glacier descending into a large valley behind them.
A YCC Crew at Mount Rainier National Park.

NPS Photo

YCC: Come work with us this summer!

Spend the summer working on trails within Mount Rainier National Park and learning about the park's wildlife, resources, and careers in the process! We are hiring for two Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) crews this summer.

YCC crew members are employees of Mount Rainier National Park working on 5-8 person crews doing trail maintenance and construction projects. Each week you will spend five days working on the trails. Throughout the 8 weeks, crews will take pauses to learn about park resources and wildlife, learn about the National Park Service (NPS), and learn about the many different career paths within the NPS.

This is a great opportunity for you to learn more about the National Park Service and develop natural resource conservation work skills. Pay for these positions begins at $16.50 an hour. If you've served as a member of the YCC before, there is a new opportunity to become a peer leader. Please indicated in the essay portion of the application that you are applying for the *YCC Youth Leader*. During the summer, you will establish relationships with working professionals in the outdoor industry through networking opportunities and create bonds with your peers through hard work and adversity in the field. Most importantly, you will have fun doing meaningful work.

 

Who Can Apply

Any 15-18 yrs olds* living within driving distance of Mount Rainier National Park. Park housing is not provided. The towns/cities of Enumclaw, Greenwater, Buckley, Orting, Eatonville, Morton, Packwood and Randle are the closest. *You must turn 15 by June 24, 2024, and may not turn 19 before August 16, 2024, to apply.

When

The YCC program is 8 weeks in duration. Monday, June 24 - Friday, August 16 are the tentative dates for the 2024 season. The crew will work Monday-Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm.

Where

The YCC Longmire crew begins and ends their day at the Longmire Administration Building. The YCC Sunrise crew begins and ends their day at the White River Maintenance Yard (near the White River Ranger Station). Transportation to and from their meeting locations is perhaps the biggest challenge of this being viable employment for folks. In the past, crewmembers have carpooled to make this more feasible.

To Apply

Fill out the application form. Applications must be returned by April 26 to James Montgomery at james_montgomery@nps.gov. Please identify which crew you would like to be considered for (Longmire or Sunrise). You will then be entered into a lottery for a spot on one of the crews.

Questions

Do you have any questions about the program or application process? Email us!

 
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Duration:
3 minutes

Ever wondered what the Youth Conservation Corps Program (YCC) is all about? Check out this short video to hear from the youth and staff themselves on their YCC experience. From historic preservation to trail maintenance, the arts to living history, and more, see what you could do as a YCC member and beyond! Learn more about the program at https://www.nps.gov/subjects/youthprograms/ycc.htm. View the audio described version here: https://www.nps.gov/media/video/view.htm?id=98737687-B97B-4056-A7D0-A059D9F36E09

Last updated: February 28, 2024

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

55210 238th Avenue East
Ashford, WA 98304

Phone:

360 569-2211

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