Youth Conservation Corps

2023 Applications Closed

Applications for the 2023 YCC program have closed, though the position descriptions are left below for reference. Please check back in early 2024 (late January to early February) for next year's application.

 

Denali National Park and Preserve offers unique summer employment opportunities to teenagers.

This program is open to all applicants ages 15 through 18. In order to participate in the program, applicants must have the consent of a parent or guardian.

YCC participants are paid a special remote park Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) wage of $15 per hour and will work for 8 weeks beginning on or about June 5, 2023 and ending on or about July 28, 2023.

2023 Position Descriptions

 

Do You Enjoy Working Outdoors?

Trails Department

1 to 4 positions

This position works for the trails crew of Denali National Park and Preserve. Work is performed outdoors in all weather conditions and is physically challenging. Duties may include hiking as many as 8 miles per day with a 20-pound backpack, trail brushing, clearing drains, repairing trail tread, hauling materials, transplanting native vegetation, digging, installing signs, and collecting data. Tool use may include shovels, picks, sledges, rakes, wheelbarrows, and hand tools. This position may include light custodial work. YCCers are responsible for actively participating in safety trainings, adhering to safety policies, and wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when required.

• Position Requirements: by June 5, 2023, must be at least 16 years old (to work 10-hour days). Must be younger than 19 years old for the entire time between June 5, 2023 and July 28, 2023.
• Work Schedule: 10-hour days, 4 days per week (Monday - Thursday), for a total of 40 hours per week.

 

Do you enjoy sharing Denali National Park and Preserve with others?

Interpretation Division: Denali Visitor Center

1 position

This position requires a willingness to be outgoing and comfortable talking with people (individuals and groups) and having a positive outlook on customer service. Duties include: staff the Denali Visitor Center front desk to provide quality customer service and orientation to park visitors, including answering trip planning questions, sharing safety information, and working with Junior Rangers. Rove the Denali Visitor Center Campus, Riley Creek Campground, and front country trails to greet visitors, answer questions, share safety information, and provide informal interpretation. Staff a “touch table” based on natural or cultural history topics, for example, a focus on moose or animal tracks and scat, and talk with visitors about park resources. Research and develop a short talk (as long as 10 minutes) to deliver to visitors at the Denali Visitor Center or at picnic tables at the Savage River. Assist with projects as assigned and shadow park staff in a variety of disciplines.

• Position Requirements: must be at least 15 years old and younger than 19 years old for the entire time between June 5, 2023 and July 28, 2023.

• Work Schedule: If selectee is 16 or older, then they will work eight, 9-hour days and one, 8-hour day per each two-week pay period; exact schedule can be flexible, but the selectee will work 9 days every two weeks. If selectee is 15, they are limited to working 8 hours per day and 5 days per week.

 

Do You Enjoy Working with Dogs?

Kennels:

1 position

Youth Conservation Corps selectee assists with the following duties:

• all aspects of the care, feeding, exercise, and training of 30-plus active Alaskan huskies weighing between 60 and 90 pounds
• all aspects of dog yard, pen, and equipment maintenance and repairs as needed
• informal interpretation and safety in the dog yard before, after, and between demonstrations for the visiting public
• delivery of formal interpretive programs and dog sled demonstrations, including handling and harnessing dogs for the run
• raising and training any puppies born during the work season

This position requires extensive physical labor outdoors in all weather conditions. Applicants must be comfortable working with large, energetic sled dogs, talking with visitors, and performing physical tasks.

• Position Requirements: must be at least 15 years old and younger than 19 years old for the entire time between June 5, 2023 and July 28, 2023.

• Work Schedule: 8 hours, Monday through Friday

 

A group of YCC participants works with the trails crew.

NPS Photo

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How to Apply

Enrollee Eligibility

• Be at least 15 years of age by June 5, 2023 and not reach 19 years of age during employment as a YCCer
• Be a permanent resident of the continental United States, its territories, possessions, or trust territories
• Possess a Social Security card and have a work permit before the first working day of the YCC program; the park will process the work permit
• Have housing; park housing is not available

• Have transportation to and from the work site

COVID-19 Vaccine – To ensure compliance with an applicable preliminary nationwide injunction, which may be supplemented, modified, or vacated, depending on the course of ongoing litigation, the Federal Government will take no action to implement or enforce the COVID-19 vaccination requirement pursuant to Executive Order 14043 on Requiring Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Federal Employees. Federal agencies may request information regarding the vaccination status of selected applicants for the purposes of implementing other workplace safety protocols, such as protocols related to masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine.

Application

The 2023 application period has closed. Check back here early next year for the 2024 application.