Nantahala Ranger District to fill four positions through Youth Conservation Corps Program

Release Date: Apr 22, 2021

Franklin, NC, April 22, 2021—The Nantahala Ranger District is looking to fill four seasonal and temporary positions for the 2021 summer season through the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) program. Positions include two YCC crewmembers and two YCC Crew Leaders with a work season from June 21, 2021 through July 31, 2021.

The Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) is a summer employment program for young men and women, ages 15 through 18, who work, learn, and earn together for 8 weeks on projects that help conserve the natural resources of the United States.  The three objectives of the program include, accomplishing needed conservation work on public lands, providing gainful employment for 15- through 18-year-old males and females of all social, economic, ethnic, and racial backgrounds and to develop an understanding and appreciation of the Nation's natural environment and heritage for the participating youth.

YCC work projects vary depending on location and current needs of the Forest Service.  Projects may include constructing trails, building campground facilities, planting trees, collecting litter, clearing streams, improving wildlife habitat, building fences, office work, and many other worthwhile tasks.  There is hard physical work involved in most tasks, and crews work out in the woods away from towns.

Applicants must be 15 years old by June 19, 2021 and must not turn 19 years old by August 1, 2021. To obtain an application visit https://www.fs.fed.us/working-with-us/opportunities-for-young-people/youth-conservation-corps-opportunities. To submit your application, download the form, fill it out, and email to Viviana Ruiz, Recreation Manager, at Viviana.ruiz@usda.gov. Applications must be submitted by May 17, 2021.

 

Additional Information about the Youth Conservation Corps Program: 

What Are the Requirements for Enrollment?

The enrollee must…

1.   Be at least 15 years of age and not have reached 19 years of age during the term of employment.

2.   Be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States or its territories or possessions.

3.   Have a Social Security number, or have applied to obtain one.

4.   Have a desire to work in the outdoors and become involved in the development and maintenance of the Nation's natural resources.

5.   Have no history of serious criminal or anti-social behavior that might create safety problems.

6.   Be able to participate for 8 weeks in the various work and training projects of the YCC program.  Disabled youth who with reasonable accommodations can perform the essential functions of the YCC program are also eligible.

7.   Have a work permit as required under the laws of the State in which the program will be carried out.

8.   Be able to obtain parental or legal guardian consent to enroll in the program.

9.   Be able to provide the proper type and amount of work clothing, such as long sleeved shirts, jeans, work boots.

What Will Enrollees Be Paid?

Enrollees will be paid the North Carolina minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. Enrollees spend 40 hours each week at their assigned sites; the week of activities will consist of five 8-hour days.  Enrollees will be paid for 40 hours each week with a focus on work projects that emphasize environmental awareness activities. 

How Are Youth Selected?

Youth are chosen to participate in the program for each site by a random selection process.  Youth are selected for programs located within a reasonable commuting distance from their residences.  In all cases, recruiting efforts aim at ensuring an equitable economic, racial, and social mix, as well as a fair distri­bution of urban youth with those from small communities.