USFS recruiting youth for summer jobs

GAINESVILLE - The Blue Ridge Ranger District of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests is currently recruiting young people ages 15 to 18 for a summer Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) crew.

The youngsters will work on outdoor projects to provide "meaningful employment, job skills, and educational opportunities" for managing the nation's natural and cultural resources. Applications will be accepted beginning Monday, April 23 and continuing until May 1 at the Blue Ridge Ranger District office in Blairsville.

USFS officials say the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) is a summer employment program for youth from all segments of society who work, learn, and earn together by doing projects on public land. Youth are provided an opportunity to increase their self-esteem and learn self-discipline. They learn work ethic and build lasting cultural bridges with other youth. The YCC is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture - Forest Service, and the U. S. Department of Interior's Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service.

Youth selected for the four-person crew will learn how to reduce, plan, and mitigate impacts to natural resources through trail maintenance and dispersed recreation management projects. Crew members will work June 4 through July 30 from the Blue Ridge Ranger District office.

The program is open to all 15- through 18-year-olds who are citizens or permanent residents of the United States. Applicants must be 15 years of age by the program start date and not over 19 years of age by program end.

Application packets are available at the Blue Ridge Ranger District Office and at the following schools: Union County High School (Blairsville), Woody Gap High School (Suches), Fannin County High School (Blue Ridge), and Towns County High School (Hiawassee). Applications should be mailed to the following address:

USDA Forest Service
Blue Ridge Ranger District
ATTN: Valencia Morris (YCC)
2042 Highway 515W
Blairsville, GA 30518

Applications postmarked after the May 1 deadline will not be accepted. Selected applicants will be notified on May 4.

For additional information, please contact the Blue Ridge Ranger District at (706) 745-6928.

Interested applicants can also visit http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/programs/ycc/index.shtml to access an application form and for more information regarding the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) program.