News Release

Summer Youth Employment Opportunity 2022

Date: April 4, 2022
Contact: Steena Cultrara

Tucson, AZ – Saguaro National Park is once again accepting applications to join an 8-week, summer Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) program for teens, ages 16-18, consisting of three main components: conservation work, environmental education, and outdoor recreation.  

We will be selecting 8 crew members and 2 Youth Crew Leaders. The dates for the season are June 6 through July 29.  Crew members will be paid $12.80 hourly and Youth Crew Leaders will earn $14.72 hourly, for 40 hours per week. 

YCC enrollees will have the opportunity to work on a variety of conservation projects in Saguaro National Park and the surrounding region, including trail work, environmental restoration work, campground maintenance and resource management. Work schedule will be Monday through Friday, and home on the weekends during some weeks or a 10-day work hitch that will include backpacking to remote work locations.  During these longer hitches, YCC enrollees will be camped out near their work site in the park’s designated Wilderness Area and then have a three day weekend before reporting back to the crew for the following work week. 

In addition to work, enrollees learn about the local ecology of Southern Arizona and larger public land conservation issues. Participants will also experience recreational outings including day hikes, backpacking trips, 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 are accepting applications from April 1^st- April 30th. Selections will be made by May 13^th. To apply, please visit Saguaro National Park’s website at https://www.nps.gov/sagu/getinvolved/ycc.htm or stop by Saguaro National Park-East to pick up an application at the visitor center, 3693 S. Old Spanish Trail, Tucson, AZ  85730. Please fill out and email the NPS YCC Application to:[e-mail] with “APPLICATION” in the subject line or drop application at the same location as picked up. 

*** COVID-19: The YCC program will be following CDC guidelines for the safety of the crew, as well as extra mitigations including Risk and Acknowledgement forms, daily wellness checks, hand washing, social distancing and wearing masks. *** 

If you have questions, email [e-mail] with “YCC Question” included in the subject line.