C.O. Youth Conservation Corps seeks summer job applications

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The Central Oregon Youth Conservation Corps is accepting applications for summer employment right now through the end of May. Both students and crew leaders are encouraged to apply.

This is a great opportunity for youth ages 16 to 18 years old to gain job skills and learn more about natural resources, while improving public lands and reducing the threat of wildfires in our community.

Crew leaders will be responsible for leading youth work groups throughout the summer, mentoring and ensuring their safety while working with land management agencies on public lands improvement projects.

Nearly 100 local youth will be selected for this competitive summer program and earn $12 an hour, working 36 hours a week. Hands-on projects in Central Oregon’s beautiful forests and high deserts include building trails, maintaining fences, piling hazardous fuels, restoring campgrounds, and improving wildlife habitat on the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests and the Crooked River National Grassland.

The program runs from July 6th through August 20th. Youth will work 9 hours a day Monday through Thursday. Youth crews meet daily in Bend, Redmond, Sisters, Prineville, La Pine, Crescent, Madras, and Warm Springs.

“We’re excited to be moving forward with the program. There’s a lot of work going in to making sure we can safely run crews and hire local young people this summer, and we’re thankful for the support of the Central Oregon communities that these crews work in,” said Tyler McRae, Heart of Oregon Corps Summer Program Manager. “We still need more applicants, especially in Sisters and La Pine/Gilchrist/Crescent!”

Heart of Oregon Corps operates the Central Oregon Youth Conservation Corps program in partnership with the US Forest Service and Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council, with funding from numerous generous partners across Central Oregon.

Applications must be received by May 31st and are available online at www.heartoforegon.org.

For more information, contact Summer Program Coordinator Tyler McRae at (541) 633-7834 or Forest Service YCC Coordinator Paul Smith at (541) 416-6431.