Lava Beds National Monument is pleased to announce that they will be hosting the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) program again this year. YCC is a summer employment program for young men and women, ages 15 through 18, who work and learn together by participating in conservation work on public lands. The program is expected to begin on June 18th, and will run for 8 weeks, dependent upon available funding.

Applicants must be in very good physical condition. This work can be fun, even adventurous, but it can also be strenuous and is performed in hot, rugged, dirty environments.  If regular exercise is not already part of an applicant’s lifestyle, they are strongly discouraged from applying.  Planned work projects include trail maintenance, exotic weed control, native plant care, landscape restoration, walkway and trail maintenance, and cave restoration.

Conservation education is incorporated into the YCC program. This education will highlight the diversity and responsibilities of different National Park Service areas, introduce participants to the natural and cultural history of the local area, and may involve field trips to surrounding sites.

Between 8 and 10 YCC staff will be selected during a random drawing of applications on May 07, 2018.  Initial preference will be given to local applicants from the nearby communities of Tulelake, CA, Merrill, OR, Malin, OR, and the nearby areas.  Successful candidates will earn $11.00 per hour (California minimum wage).  All participants must bring a lunch and be able to provide their own daily transportation to and from the monument.  No housing is available and carpooling is encouraged.  The work schedule is 7:00 am to 3:30 pm, Monday through Friday, except on federal holidays.

Applications for the YCC Program should be mailed to Lava Beds National Monument, P.O. Box 1240, Tulelake, CA 96134, and be postmarked no later than May 02, 2018.  For more information about the program and to download applications please visit the website at:   hnps.gov/labe/getinvolved/supportyourpark/ycc-youth-conservation-corp.htm. Interested applicants may also call the program coordinator, Nathan Charlton at (530) 667-8107.