Working on a Youth Conservation Crew
The Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) program provides summer employment for youth while accomplishing various types of conservation work involving trail maintenance, range projects, vegetation monitoring, constructing drainage structures, installing signs and basically “digging in the dirt”. The YCC projects will take you to areas of the forest you haven’t seen, help you develop skills for future jobs with public land management agencies and possibly enhance your love for the outdoors!
The work schedule consists of four 10 hour days (Mon-Thurs) and may involve camping out under the stars. YCC summer programs are generally 10 weeks starting in June.
To be eligible you must be 15-18 years old, a resident of the United States with no criminal record or antisocial behavior, have a Social Security number and be willing and able to work hard. A good attitude and strong work ethic is all you need; no resume or experience necessary! Work sites will be in each of the ranger districts listed below and will require transportation to and from the district office. Project work will be outside, and you may encounter all types of weather conditions. Good hiking/work boots are required and rain gear.
Application Package:
- YCC Application (English)
- YCC Application (Spanish)
- OF 306 Declaration of Federal Employment
- AD 350 YCC Enrollment Form
- Waiver of Electronic Statement of Earnings and Leave
Grand Valley Ranger District - Hiring 6-8 crew members to do trail work and other projects on the Grand Mesa and Uncompahgre National Forest. The work week will be 4 days/10 hours a day. Camping is required three nights out of the week. Project work will run from May 28 to August 2, 2019
- Grand Valley RD
2777 Crossroads Blvd. Unit 1
Grand Junction, CO 81506
Ouray Ranger District - Hiring 4 crew members doing trail work in wildnerness areas and some habitat restoration work. The work week will be 4 days/10 hours a day and some weeks involve backpack camping.
- Ouray Ranger District
2505 S Townsend Rd.
Montrose, CO 81401
Paonia Ranger District - Hiring 3-4 crew members to do trail work on the Gunnison National Forest and other work projects that could include: tree planting, fencing, beetle kill mapping and timber surveys. The work week will be 4 days/10 hours a day and some weeks involve backpack camping. (Ages 16-18)
- Paonia Ranger District
403 N. Rio Grande Ave.
Paonia, CO 81428
Gunnison Ranger District - Hiring 4 crew members to work on diverse conservation projects involving wildlife, range, and recreation management on the Gunnison National Forest. The work week will be 8-10 hour days/40 hours per week.
- Gunnison Ranger District
216 N Colorado St.
Gunnison, CO 81230