Careers

The Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) is a program that offers Lake County youth gainful summer employment in the outdoor atmosphere of our county’s forest preserves. The program includes an environmental education and outdoor recreation component.

Work projects in past summers have included tasks such as developing nature trails, planting and maintaining native flora, stream bank restoration, basic outdoor maintenance tasks, construction of trail bridges, soil retaining walls and canoe launches. Additionally, workers will receive basic work and life skills, environmental construction skills and environmental awareness.

YCC workers are paid $14.00 per hour and work an eight-hour day, weather permitting, Monday through Friday. The program is eight weeks long, beginning Monday, June 10, 2024, and concluding on Friday, August 2, 2024. Working hours begin at 6:30 am and end at 3 pm, with a 30-minute unpaid lunch break. Workers are expected to remain in the program throughout its duration and are asked, if feasible, to schedule summer vacations either prior to or following the eight-week session. Members who complete 300 hours in the program are also eligible to receive a federal Americorps Scholarship that can be used at any public College/University.

Applications must be completed, signed and returned by 4:00 pm on or before Friday April 26, 2024, to Lake County Forest Preserve District, 1899 West Winchester Road, Libertyville, IL 60048. Applications can also be handed in at the lottery drawing before selection begins.