Come experience the beauty of the Sonoran Desert with our YCC program.
NPS Photo
2024 Summer Youth Employment Opportunity
Saguaro National Park is offering a Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) program this summer for teens, ages 15-18. YCC is an 8-week youth employment program consisting of three main components:
conservation work
environmental education
outdoor recreation
This season's dates are June 3 - July 25, 2024. We will be camping every week.
We will be selecting 8 Crew Members and 2 Youth Crew Leaders.
Description:
YCC enrollees will have the opportunity to work on a variety of conservation projects at Saguaro National Park and the surrounding public lands of the Southwest region. These opportunities include trail work, environmental restoration work, campground maintenance and resource management. Crew members will need a ride to and from Saguaro National Park East (3693 S Old Spanish Trail). Drop off on Mondays and pick up on Fridays. During the week, YCC enrolles will be camping near their work site, which may be remote. Phone service may be limited. Most weeks will be worked in the front country consisting of 5 eight-hour work days. If working in the backcountry, the work week consists of 10 eight-hour days. Crew members will go home for the weekends.
Crew members will be paid $14.35 hourly, and Youth Crew Leads will be paid $16.50 hourly for a work week of 40 hours.
In addition to work, enrollees will engage in daily environmental education lessons that will teach them about the local ecology of Southern Arizona and larger environmental issues. Enrollees will also participate in various recreational outings including day hikes, field trips and more! YCC is not just a work program, it's a chance to learn, play and grow in the natural world.
We will be accepting applications March 1 - May 2. Selections will be made by May 15.
Elegibility:
In order to be eligible, youth must:
be between 15 and 18 years old at the start of the program
have not participated in a YCC program for more than 3 months within the past year
be able to work the entire 8 weeks
be able to transport yourself to and from Saguaro National Park each week
have a willingness and ability to work hard in the outdoors
relate well with others and have a positive attitude
Applicants who are permanent residents of the United States, its territories or possessions, are eligible for employment without regard to race, color, sex, age, handicap, religion or national origin. Youth with a disability who can effectively participate in most YCC activities are eligible. Selected applicants must possess a Social Security Card and have a work permit (if required). Youth must not have a history of serious criminal or other antisocial behavior that might endanger their safety or that of others. Employment is without regard to Civil Service or classification laws, rules, or regulations.
For further questions or to request an application, please email SAGU_YCC@nps.gov with "YCC Question" in the subject line.
