Youth Conservation Corps

YCC's from 2019 with an SCA at the 2019 Youth Symposium
Work for the summer or begin a career in the park service with the Youth Conservation Corps.

NPS Photo

Kenai Fjords National Park is offering some unique summer employment opportunities to teens. This program is open to all applicants ages 15 through 18. These positions are designed to give students the background they need to pursue a variety of jobs in the future. It is a great way to learn new skills and begin building a resume. Participants are encouraged to apply for uniformed positions in the park following their YCC year.

Applicants must have parental consent to participate in the program. Enrollees will be paid a special remote park Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) wage of $15.00/hour and will work for 10-12 weeks beginning in late May and ending in early August. Housing is not provided.

Positions exist in Interpretation, Maintenance, and Resource Management, as described below.

Applications for YCC 2024 are closed.
Application info and eligibility can be found at the bottom of the page.
 
Two youth employees dump a wheelbarrow.
Work with your hands outdoors with the Maintenance Division

NPS Photo/P. Calamari

Do You Enjoy Trades Work and Working Outdoors?

Maintenance and Facilities Division (1 or 2 positions, $19/hr)

These positions include a wide range of duties working with the Building and Utilities (B&U) Department or the Trails crew. Work is often performed outdoors in all weather conditions and can be physically challenging. Trails duties may include hiking as many as 8 miles per day, wearing a backpack and lifting heavy loads, trail brushing, clearing drains, repairing trail tread, hauling materials, transplanting native vegetation, digging, installing signs, and collecting data. Tools used may include shovels, picks, sledges, rakes, wheelbarrows, and hand tools. B&U work may include light maintenance and landscaping of park grounds, cleaning buildings and yards, and assisting maintenance and trades workers as assigned. YCCers are responsible for actively participating in safety trainings, adhering to safety policies, and wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when required.

  • Position Requirements: must be 17 or 18 years old by May 22nd, 2024. Must be 18 years old to work with power tools.
  • Work Schedule: eight, 9-hour days and one, 8-hour day every two weeks.
 
Youth employee uses a microscope to examine a plant up close.
Get up close and personal with your local park as you tackle invasive plants with the Resource Management Division.

NPS Photo/E. Anger

Do You Enjoy Thinking Like a Scientist?

Invasive Plant Management Team (2 positions, $15/hr):

These positions include a range of duties as part of the invasive plant management team. Work is performed outdoors in all weather conditions. Duties include hiking on and off trail, collecting native seeds, assisting with GPS mapping efforts, and hand pulling invasive plants, while learning about various natural resources. YCCs will be required to complete some outdoor safety training, should have sturdy hiking boots, experience hiking over rough terrain, and the ability to follow technical instructions.

  • Position Requirement: must be 15 years old by May 22nd, 2024.
  • Work Schedule: eight, 8-hour days every 2 weeks.
 
A youth employee stands behind a table with a bear skull as visitor ask questions.
Help visitors discover the amazing flora and fauna of Kenai Fjords with the Interpretation and Education Division.

NPS Photo/P. Calamari

Do You Enjoy Sharing Kenai Fjords National Park With Others?

Interpretation Division (4 positions, $15/hr):

These positions staff the Kenai Fjords Visitor Center and Exit Glacier Nature Center front desk and provide quality customer service to park visitors. Work includes answering trip planning questions, sharing safety tips, and working with Junior Rangers. Walking around the Exit Glacier area trails to greet visitors, answer questions, share safety tips, and provide informal interpretation. Staffing a “touch table” and talk with visitors about park resources (topic and props may be based on employee’s interests). In additions, YCCs may assist with projects as assigned and shadow park staff in a variety of disciplines.

  • Position Requirement: must be 15 years old by May 22nd, 2024.
  • Work Schedule: eight, 8-hour days every two weeks.
 

How to Apply

Applications are now closed for 2024. Look for more information on future YCC applications in January or February, 2025.

For more information about the YCC program please contact the Youth Coordinator, Joe Rodrigues, by email or phone, (907) 422-0532. If unavailable, contact Leah Wold by email or phone, (907) 422-0528

Enrollee Eligibility

Young persons, 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.

To be eligible youth must:

  • Be at least 15 years of age by May 28th, 2024 and not have reached 19 years of age during employment as a YCC enrollee.

  • Be permanent residents of the 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, because park housing is not available.


Last updated: March 25, 2024

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

PO Box 1727
Seward, AK 99664

Phone:

907 422-0500

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