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Jobs are immediately available on conservation corps work teams

Training for crew leader positions begins May 14

PRESS RELEASE
May 4, 2012

Garfield County is supporting summer conservation corps trail work for young adults, after the commissioners approved doubling the number of conservation corps teams this year. The county approved purchase of services agreements with two regional organizations to provide summer employment opportunities for fourteen young people. The commissioners unanimously allocated $160,000 for agreements to improve trails and campgrounds on forest service lands, and weed management and habitat restoration on county lands.

Mandatory leadership training for RMYC crew leaders begins Monday, May 14, at the organization’s headquarters in Steamboat Springs, CO.

These summer opportunities are currently available through the Western Colorado Conservation Corps (WCCC) and Rocky Mountain Youth Corps (RMYC). Crew leaders and crew members are needed to work on weed management, habitat restoration, and trail projects throughout Garfield County.

Garfield County Commissioners support these opportunities for seasonal summer employment for youth and young adults, as one of several of their economic development initiatives.

“We are investing in public lands locally and taking the task to heart,” said Commissioner John Martin. “We are stewards of our local area and don’t just depend on assistance – we are leading the way on how to take care of our lands.”
Commissioner Tom Jankovsky agrees. “These trails will be used by our local constituents, and this work will add to our quality of life locally.”

Requirements vary for the WCCC and RMYC positions. The age range for crew members is 18-22, while the minimum age for crew leaders is 21. In general, applicants should be:

  • U.S. citizens
  • Available for the entire summer, June – August
  • In good physical condition
  • Motivated to work outdoors with a diverse group

Both positions are paid hourly rates. Participants may be eligible to receive a scholarship award from AmeriCorps after completing their terms of service. RMYC and WCCC positions are open to Garfield County residents. WCCC crew leader positions are open to residents outside the county as well, but the commissioners hope to hire Garfield County residents.

Nearly all of the work will be completed on US Forest Service lands to assist rangers in caring for campgrounds and trails in spite of severely dwindling budgets.
“Glenn Adams, district ranger with the White River National Forest Rifle Ranger District, is very, very thankful we are doing work on forest service trails, and without this conservation corps work, a lot of this would not get done,” said Commissioner Mike Samson. “He had nothing but praise on what was done last year and what will be done this year.”

Apply online to WCCC at www.wcccpartners.org/join-wccc, and/or to RMCC at: www.rockymountainyouthcorps.org.

For more information, contact RMYC at 970-879-2135, ext.1, and WCCC at 970-241-1027.

Read about last year’s WCCC crews on the Garfield County website

Rocky Mountain Youth Corps serves 10 counties in the northwest region of Colorado. Western Colorado Conservation Corps is an accredited youth corps by the Colorado Youth Corps Association.