information
The Portland Water Bureau is monitoring a fire in the Bull Run Watershed

Tap water remains safe to drink. More information or follow the Portland Water Bureau on X (Twitter) and Facebook for updates. Español | Tiếng Việt | 简体中文 | Русский| українська | Soomaali | Română | नेपाली | Chuukese

Youth Conservation Crew (ages 14-18)

Information
Youth Conservation Crew kayaking on the Willamette River
The Youth Conservation Crew (YCC) provides employment opportunities for a diverse population of Portland-area youth. Crews protect, restore, and manage Portland's parks and natural areas while developing job skills and exploring environmental career paths.
On this page

Applications for Summer 2023 jobs now available! 

NEW staff apply here:

Youth Conservation Crew - Adult Crew Leaders (Community Service Aide II)

Youth Conservation Crew - Crew Members (Community Service Aide I)

RETURNING staff apply here:

Youth Conservation Crew - Support Staff (Community Service Aide II)

Youth Conservation Crew - Returning Crew Members (Community Service Aide I)


About Youth Conservation Crew (YCC)

The Youth Conservation Crew provides employment opportunities for a diverse population of Portland-area youth. Crews protect, restore, and manage Portland's parks and natural areas while developing essential job skills and exploring environmental career paths.

Eligibility for Employment - Youth Positions

  • You are between the ages of 14-18.
  • Turn in your own application and contact the employer yourself. A parent or guardian should not do it for you. This is one way we determine if you are ready for work!
  • Be willing and able to do hard work in the outdoors (often walking on uneven ground, in heat, cold, or rain).
  • Be dependable, responsible, and available - you can and will show up to work every day, on time.
  • Be excited to work with a diverse team. We encourage people of all races, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities to apply, as well as English Language Learners. Reasonable accommodations can be provided.
  • Eligible to work in the United States. 
  • Be able to get to work sites on your own. All worksites have a bus or TriMet MAX stop nearby. 

Work schedule

  • Summer Dates for Crew Leaders: June 12 - August 18, 2023
  • Hours for Crew Leaders: Monday (8:30am - 2:30pm); Tuesday - Friday (7:15am - 3:15pm) Crew Leaders and Office Assistant may begin working earlier than June 12 on a flexible schedule if available.
  • Summer Dates for Crew Members:  June 27 - August 11, 2023 
  • Hours for Crew Members:   Tuesday - Friday (8:30am - 2:30pm)
  • All youth hired during the summer can keep working on Saturdays during the school year.  Sign up for workdays as your schedule allows.

Pay

The hourly pay for NEW youth 2023 is $16 an hour


Types of Crew Work

City Nature East Crew
Natural Area Crew is a great fit for teens interested in science, plants, and animals. 
WORK LOCATIONS: East, Northeast, and Southeast Portland

  • remove unwanted plants like ivy and blackberry
  • weed and water around young recently planted plants
  • practice and learn plant identification
  • learn about plants and animals 
  • build split rail fences 
  • work in or near forests, creeks, and fields

Community Gardens Crew
Community Gardens Crew is a great fit for teens who are interested in growing food, gardening, construction, and food justice. 

  • build and fix garden plots and paths
  • explore food justice and environmental justice
  • practice indigenous land care in the Native Gathering Garden with the indigenous community
  • weed and remove unwanted plants
  • work in the sun

Trail Crew 

Trail Crew is a great fit for teens interested in engineering, construction, and hard physical work!  WORK LOCATIONS: citywide 

  • build and fix trails  
  • build structures (rock walls, crib walls, split rail fences, and other structures) 
  • work with plants (a little)
  • learn about land, soils, and water 
  • trail crew is the most physically demanding job! 

Tree Crew

Tree Crew is a great fit for teens who care about trees and want to learn about how trees make our city healthier and more beautiful.
WORK LOCATIONS: East Portland and NE Portland

  • explore the city and map trees on an ipad or phone
  • care for newly planted trees at schools and parks
  • learn how to identify trees from all over the world
  • walk up to 3 miles a day, in sun and shade

West Side Nature Crew - No Ivy League 
The No Ivy League Crew is a great fit for teens interested in landscaping, science, plants, and animals. 
WORK LOCATIONS: Northwest and Southwest


Adult Crew Leader Positions

Summer 2023 applications are now live. Click the links below to learn more.

2023

Youth Conservation Crew - Adult Crew Leaders (Community Service Aide II)
If you are thinking about applying for a YCC Crew Leader Position, visit theCrew Leader Information Webpage.