Denali National Park and Preserve offers unique summer employment opportunities to teenagers through the Youth Conservation Corps program.
2025 Position Descriptions
Do you enjoy working outdoors?
Trails Department — up to 6 positions
This position works for the trails crew of Denali National Park and Preserve. Work is performed outdoors in all weather conditions and is physically challenging.
Duties may include:
Hiking as many as 8 miles per day with a 20-pound backpack, trail brushing, clearing drains, repairing trail tread, hauling materials, transplanting native vegetation, digging, installing signs, and collecting data.
Tool use may include shovels, picks, sledges, rakes, wheelbarrows, and hand tools.
This position may include light custodial work.
YCCers are responsible for actively participating in safety trainings, adhering to safety policies and wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when required.
Position Requirements: by June 2, 2025, must be at least 16 years old (to work 10-hour days). Must be younger than 19 years old for the entire time from June 2, 2025, through July 25, 2025.
Work Schedule: 10-hour days, 4 days per week, Monday - Thursday, 7:00 am - 5:30 pm, for a total of 40 hours per week. This position may have the opportunity to work an additional 2 weeks, for a total of 10 weeks. Must be younger than 19 years old through August 7, 2025, if extended to 10 weeks.
Do you enjoy sharing Denali National Park and Preserve with others?
Interpretation Division: Denali Visitor Center — up to 2 positions
This position requires a willingness to be outgoing and comfortable talking with people (individuals and groups) and having a positive outlook on customer service. Duties include:
Staffing the Denali Visitor Center front desk to provide quality customer service and orientation to park visitors, including answering trip planning questions, sharing safety information, and working with Junior Rangers.
Roving the Denali Visitor Center Campus, Riley Creek Campground, and front country trails to greet visitors, answer questions, share safety information, and provide informal interpretation.
Staffing a “touch table” based on natural or cultural history topics, for example, a focus on moose or animal tracks and scat, and talk with visitors about park resources.
Researching and developing a short talk (as long as 10 minutes) to deliver to visitors at the Denali Visitor Center or at picnic tables at the Savage River.
Assisting with projects as assigned and shadow park staff in a variety of disciplines.
Position Requirements: must be at least 15 years old and younger than 19 years old for the entire time between June 2, 2025, and July 25, 2025.
Work Schedule: If selectee is 16 or older, they will work eight, 9-hour days and one, 8-hour day per each two-week pay period; exact schedule can be flexible, but the selectee will work 9 days and a total of 80 hours every two weeks. If selectee is 15, they are limited to working 8 hours per day and 5 days per week, for a total of 40 hours per week.
Do you love dogs and working outdoors?
Kennels — 1 position
Youth Conservation Corps selectee assists with the following duties:
All aspects of the care, feeding, exercise, and training of 28-plus active Alaskan huskies weighing between 60 and 90 pounds.
All aspects of dog yard, pen, and equipment maintenance and repairs as needed.
Informal interpretation and safety in the dog yard before, after, and between demonstrations for the visiting public.
Delivery of interpretive programs and dog sled demonstrations, including handling and harnessing dogs for the run.
Raising and training any puppies born during the work season.
This position requires extensive physical labor outdoors in all weather conditions. Applicants must be comfortable working with large, energetic sled dogs, talking with visitors, and performing physical tasks.
Position Requirements: must be at least 15 years old and younger than 19 years old for the entire time between June 2, 2025, and July 25, 2025.
Work Schedule: 8 hours, Monday through Friday 8:30 am-5 pm, for a total of 40 hours per week.
A group of YCC participants works with the trails crew.
NPS Photo
How to Apply
Enrollee Eligibility
Be at least 15 years of age by June 2, 2025 and not reach 19 years of age during employment as a YCCer.
Be a permanent resident of the continental United States, its territories, possessions, or trust territories.
907 683-9532
A ranger is available 9 am to 4 pm daily (except on major holidays). If you reach the voicemail, please leave a message and we'll call you back as soon as we finish with the previous caller.
