Youth Conservation Corps

Hours Served May Count Towards Your High School Career Pathway Credit

OWBL DelTech Delaware Pathways

Get Paid. Have Fun. Learn Cool Stuff.

Earn Pathway Credit For Graduation

To learn if your participation in YCC is eligible, indicate interest during the application process.

Learn about yourself. Learn about the environment. Learn how a job can be so much more!

Make Money. Make Friends. Make a Difference.

The Delaware State Parks Youth Conservation Corps (DSPYCC) program provides high quality summer jobs and environmental opportunities for young people aged 16-21 (select teams 14-16) for members and 20-26 for leaders. Corps members conduct meaningful environmentally and park focused activities as a means of achieving personal growth. Through your service, you will gain skills, confidence, and see first-hand the benefit your hard work makes in providing a lasting benefit for public lands and communities. The DSPYCC is committed to engaging young people in important conservation and park projects while providing learning that fosters teamwork, self-esteem, social responsibility and respect for the environment.

Core components include:

75% Practical job work experience
25% Outdoor learning opportunities and experiences
Job and/or college preparation

YCC Corps Members Build:

Skills that will last a lifetime
Friendships
Environmentally-based knowledge and abilities
Positive work attitudes and good work habits in a multitude of conditions
Leadership
Teamwork
Civic engagement and connections in their local parks and communities
An interest in new career paths
A stronger connection to the nature around them
Skills and values to shape their future and their communities

Member Quotes

“It was awesome how I got learn the trails and different parks this week! Also learning about the plants, the environment and some bug types. Which was awesome! I love doing this”!

“My coworkers and I at the Nature Center get along really well and we can easily make jokes with each other while also getting work done”.

“I enjoyed being a part of the YCC program, and will recommend it to anyone who might want to join”.

Environmental Awareness and Growth

As a core component of the program, all Corps members will participate in on-going and regular environmental education and awareness programs and training to learn together and experience outdoor opportunities.

Opportunities include:

Go-Ape Zip Line
Beach Day
Water Quality and Conservation
Statewide Career Day
Ethic of Service
End of Program Celebration

Youth Conservation Corps Positions

Park Resource Keeper
Team Locations: New Castle, Kent and Sussex County Parks

Members work as part of a team conducting park projects that impact visitor experience and conservation and trail projects throughout state parks in the team’s region. All positions are seasonal positions working 28 hours per week.

Essential Functions
- Actively engage in education and training activities.
- Assists with native and invasive plant survey and identification.
- Trail Maintenance and possible trail reconstruction/constructions projects.
- Litter cleanup and waterway and shoreline cleanup.
- Other occasional projects may include: Historic building maintenance/preservation, assisting other resource management projects (including wildlife management, and environmental education), Water quality monitoring, special events set up, logistics, station assistance, and tear down.
- Must be able to demonstrate responsibility, dependability and good communication skills.
Apply Today for the YCC Program!
Maintenance and Visitor Service Unit
Team Locations: VARIED

The members work as part of the staff at the park in which they’ve been placed, filling vital staffing roles in visitor service and/or grounds maintenance. All positions are seasonal positions working 28 hours per week.

Essential Functions
- Provide regular customer service to visitors in park as set forth by Park Staff.
- Actively engage in education and training activities.
- Litter cleanup and waterway and shoreline cleanup.
- Other occasional projects may include: Historic building maintenance/preservation, assisting other resource management projects (including wildlife management, and environmental education), Water quality monitoring, special events set up, logistics, station assistance, and tear down.
- Must be able to demonstrate responsibility, dependability and good communication skills.
Apply Today for the YCC Program!
Team Leaders
Locations: PRK Team North, PRK Team Central, PRK Team South

Every team needs a dedicated, positive, dependable leader. Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) Team Leaders lead a team of YCC members conducting conservation and trail projects throughout state parks within the team’s region. Leaders will coordinate activities with YCC Program Manager and work alongside professional staff of Conservation Technicians, Field Biologists and Environmental Stewardship team members. Each leader will be responsible for on-site coordination of field projects, transporting their team to various worksites, motivating team members, and taking advantage of “teachable moments”!

Minimum Qualifications
- Must be 20 – 26 years of age
- Valid driver’s license and good driving record required
- Must be able to work flexible hours, including some weekends
- Ability to perform hard physical outdoor work in various conditions
- Independent and responsible leader, able to lead and motivate others
- Ability to learn local flora and fauna
- Good communication skills
- Ability to learn and apply program rules, regulations, policies and procedures
Apply Today for the YCC Program!