YCC - Youth Conservation Corps Summer Employment

Come experience the beauty of the Sonoran Desert with our YCC program.

NPS Photo

2025 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 2 - July 25, 2025. Local program this year, all front country work, no overnight camping this season.

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. A shuttle will be available to pick up and drop off participates from centralized locations around Tucson (Location TBD after candidate selection). During the week, YCC enrollees 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, Monday through Friday from 7am to 3:30pm.

Crew members will be paid $15.00 hourly, and Youth Crew Leads will be paid $17.25 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 until May 9th. Selections will be made by May 16th.

Eligibility:
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 [e-mail] with "YCC Question" in the subject line. Or call the Trails office at (520)-733-5141.