Overview
The National Park Service is offering an opportunity for youth to work at Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve in the summer. These positions are being funded through the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) program. The purpose of the YCC program is to introduce young adults to the National Park Service mission and how Cultural and Natural resources are managed. The program may include travel to various areas within the park and possibly to other public lands for orientation.
This summer Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve will be hiring: YCC Trail Crew (5 positions)
These positions assist maintenance in remote trails and Ranger Stations grounds maintenance work. Work takes place outdoors in all weather conditions. Additional duties may include cleaning, painting, digging, hauling brush, and pulling invasive weeds. The crew will frequently base out of a tent camp for 4 days and 3-night shifts, Tuesday through Friday working 9 hours each on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and 5 hours Friday for a total of 32 hours per week. Physical exertion is required in bending, shoveling, lifting, using hand tools, and hiking up to 5 miles daily with a backpack. Applicants must not have potential emergency medical problems that could complicate work in remote areas for extended periods of time. Enrollees must have the ability to live and work effectively in isolated backcountry areas in close contact with small numbers of people.
YCC crew members are responsible for actively participating in safety trainings, adhering to safety policies, and wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when required for the position to which assigned.
This program runs approximately 11 weeks beginning on or about June 2, 2025, and ending on or about August 15, 2025. The rate of pay is $15 per hour. Applicants will be expected to work 28-32 hours a week. When based at Copper Center Headquarters, the hours will be Tuesday through Thursday 8:00-4:30 and Friday 8:00-12:00. Camp meals are provided during the remote work weeks.
YCC interns will be expected to work on July 4th to participate in the local community holiday parade and following activities. Local housing is not provided or available. Employees will be expected to provide their own transportation to and from work shifts at the Copper Center Headquarters. During remote work weeks, youth will be transported by vehicle to work locations. If you can commit to working these weeks, please consider this chance to experience your National Park.
For additional information please contact:Russell Scribner, Education Specialist at russell_scribner@nps.gov or 907-308-1021 or Diane Ellsworth, Ed. Technician at diane_Ellsworth@nps.gov or 907-822 7262
How to Apply:
Any interested young adults between the ages of 16 and 18 (cannot turn 19 during the program)can obtain a YCC application at the park web site at:https://www.nps.gov/wrst/learn/management/ycc.htm.Please review the Eligibility Requirements on the YCC application form. Applications will be accepted as follows:
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Email – please send application to wrst_hr@nps.gov Applications submitted by email must be received by 11:59PM on Friday, April 11, 2025.
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In person- between the hours of 9 and 5, you can drop off your application at our Administrative Building, at Mile 106.8 Richardson Highway. Please ring the bell and ask to hand off the paperwork to Jan Maslen, Desiree Ramirez or Valerie Amundson. Applications submitted in person must be received by 5:00 PM on Friday, April 11, 2025.
The selection process will be done by random drawing from completed applications on Monday, April 14, 2025 at approximately 3:30pm. Chosen applicants will be notified that same week. Selected applicants will be required to have a background investigation completed and be fingerprinted in accordance with HSPD-12.
YCC Overview
Download a presentation made by YCC students in 2018, which provides an overview of their experience. (pdf format, 10 MB)
Enrollee Eligibility
Young women and men, who are permanent residents of the United States, its territories or possessions, are eligible for employment without regard to social, economic, racial, or ethnic backgrounds. To be eligible, youth must:
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Be at least 16 years of age and not reach 19 years of age during summer employment as a YCC enrollee;
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Be a permanent resident of the continental United States, its territories, possessions, or trust territories; and
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Possess a Social Security card and have a work permit before the first working day of the YCC program; the park will process the work permit.
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Have housing because park housing is not available.
