WANTED: Teens and young adults who enjoy working outdoors. Six-week summer commitment for teens; starting early in 2017, 10 months of work for young adults 18 to 25. Crews work 37½ hours per week at $10.25 an hour, transportation and lunch provided. Send an email expressing interest to [email protected].
Pretty good gig and something to put on a resume. And it’s government work to boot.
Cindy Adams Dunn, secretary of the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, recently visited Point State Park to talk about the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps, a new initiative that provides paid work experience, job training and educational opportunities to young people. In exchange, the workers complete recreation and conservation projects at state parks, forestlands and other public grounds throughout the state.
Ms. Dunn was joined by a teen work crew currently working at the Downtown park. Work sites are located in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Wilkes Barre and Johnstown.
The Outdoor Corps is managed by DCNR and the Student Conservation Association, America’s oldest and largest youth conservation organization.
Since its founding in 1957, the Student Conservation Association has provided work experience for 80,000 teens and young adults. Seven in 10 alumni found work or are still studying in conservation-related fields, according to the group.
In a statement, Christopher Jackson of SCA praised the value of developing good work skills.
“In addition to safeguarding the state’s natural resources, the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps will provide participants with empowering leadership and career tracks,” he said. “The widespread benefits of this program will be felt for years to come.”
