Youth Conservation Corps Summer Job
The Program
The Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) is a well-balanced, work-learn-earn program that develops an understanding and appreciation in participating youth of the Nation’s environment and heritage. It is administered by the U.S. Department
of Agriculture-Forest Service, and by the U.S. Department of the Interior-Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service. YCC offers gainful summer employment to youth, for approximately eight weeks.
Enrollees will be paid the minimum wage ($7.15 per hour) for a 40-hour work week.
Projects include maintaining databases, building WebPages, maintaining libraries, communicating with visitors, researching information, organizing files and storage systems, assisting biologists and archeologists through various tasks and leading tours. Participants will be working in an office setting in the downtown Anchorage area.
All students will participate in the Leading in Educational Achievement Program (LEAP) which provides participants the opportunity to learn
about the professional workplace and work collaboratively in a group. Through LEAP students will also learn about the National Park Service and
conservation tools and techniques.
Eligibility Requirements
Young men and women, 15 through 18 years of age, who are permanent residents of the United States, its territories, or possessions, are eligible for employment without regard to social, economic, racial, or ethnic backgrounds. Handicapped youth who can effectively participate in most YCC activities are eligible. Youth must have no history of serious criminal or other antisocial behavior that might endanger their safety or that of others; have or be able to obtain a work permit as required under the laws of their State; have a Social Security number or have made application for one; be willing and able to work hard and participate in most work projects. Employment is without regard to Civil Service or classification laws, rules, or regulations.
How You Can Enroll
To apply, youth meeting these qualifications should complete the YCC application form and return it by March 15, 2008 to Tonyua Abrom, Youth Programs Manager, National Park Service Alaska, (907) 644-3348; (907) 644-3818 (fax), Tonyua_Abrom@nps.gov.
Applicants will be selected on a random basis and will be notified of selection. Demographic information such as age, race, and family income is not used in the selection process.
The Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) is perhaps the most well recognized youth program in the National Park Service. The YCC has been instrumental in introducing young Americans to conservation opportunities in national parks since the program was created in 1970. Since its inception, the YCC has worked with many conservation agencies throughout the country to provide educational and team building skills for young people. Hundreds of employees currently working in land management agencies were introduced to the field via the YCC.
The YCC was established in 1971 with the most important objective being to take young adults from different social, economic, racial, cultural, and gender backgrounds and placing them in an environment where they could cultivate work, social, and educational skills.
In 1974, it became a permanent institution. The following quote is an excerpt from the enabling legislation (PL-91-378- August 13, 1979):
“The Congress finds that the gainful employment during the summer months of American youth… in a healthful outdoor atmosphere… and other public land and water areas…. creates an opportunity for understanding and appreciation of the Nation’s natural environment and heritage. Accordingly, it is the purpose of this Act to further the development and maintenance of the natural resources of the United States by the Youth, upon whom will fall the ultimate responsibility for maintaining and managing these resources for the American people”.
The YCC hopes to capture the idealism of youth and create an environment where such idealism could be put into practice. This summer employment program permits men and women to enjoy working, earning, and learning by doing projects that further the development and conservation of the Alaska¹s natural resources. NPS regional youth coordinators and park staff work closely with local school and youth organizations to advertise YCC positions and recruit young adults to participate.