Payette National Forest

News Release

USDA Forest Service

Payette National Forest

Contact: Laura Pramuk (208) 634-0784, cell (208) 634-6945

Date:  March 9, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Payette National Forest Recruiting for Youth Conservation Corps Program

New Meadows, ID - Are you a young man or woman, ages 15 – 18 years and interested in summer employment?  The Payette National Forest is seeking interested youth enrolled in New Meadows or McCall High Schools for summer employment under the Youth Conservation Corps program (YCC).  This is a great opportunity to work in the outdoors.  The project will be funded by the S.W. Idaho Resource Advisory Council. 

It’s important to note that YCC is a “nonresidential program,” meaning participants reside at their homes and commute daily to the New Meadows Ranger District.  Applications will be accepted from April 13 – May 1, 2009, and can be submitted to the New Meadows Ranger District at 3674 Highway 95, New Meadows, or the McCall Ranger District at 102 W. Lake St., McCall, Idaho.

YCC employees will have the opportunity to work on the Payette National Forest and obtain valuable experience working in the outdoors.  This 8 week program is available for 5 area youth to learn about resource management and to develop an appreciation for natural areas.  The emphasis will be on hands-on learning experiences through participation in a variety of work projects that benefit the forest.  Environmental education with Ranger District specialists conducting in-the-field learning sessions will be included as part of the work experience.  Work assignments may include campground maintenance and renovation, trail building, planting, archeology projects, fisheries and wildlife projects.

Selection for hire will be through a random drawing for the 5 person crew.  Selected youth will be paid $9.57 an hour and work a 40 hour week.  The New Meadows Ranger District will provide transportation to project work sites.  Employment will begin June 15, 2009 and go through August 7, 2009.  Each selected applicant must provide work boots, proper work clothes, backpack, and their own lunches.  Applicants must be prepared for hard physical work in an outdoor environment under potential adverse weather conditions and rough terrain.  Applicants will need to provide their own daily transportation to the New Meadows Ranger District.

Interested persons may obtain an application by stopping by the New Meadows Ranger District Office at 3674 Highway 95 New Meadows, or the McCall Ranger District office at 102 W Lake St. between the hours of: 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Applications are also available at the high schools in McCall and New Meadows.

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