What would it look like if high schoolers could earn money, build community, be outside, and make a difference all in one? 

Paid service experiences at Vermont Youth Conservation Corps are designed for teens looking to make their summer meaningful and fun while earning money. Teenagers ages 15 and up can learn transferable skills and spend their summer outdoors with peers. It’s more than just a summer job!

Read on to learn about VYCC’s Day Crews. Crews are groups of 6-8 Members and 1-2 Leaders, supported by experienced professional staff. No previous experience is required.  

To learn more about VYCC’s program and projects, visit the What We Do page on our website. 

Conservation Positions

All Day Conservation Crews will work on a mix of trail, habitat restoration, and water quality projects (with potential for some small carpentry projects). More detailed project information will be available as the season approaches. VYCC staff and Crew Leaders will teach day Members everything they need to know to be successful.  

Rutland Day Crew

Dates: June 17 – July 11

Hours: 8:00 – 4:30, Monday through Thursday

Compensation: $397

Age Requirement: 15-17

Improve mountain bike trails at Pine Hill Park. Work can include shaping trails and clearing plants away. This crew will also get into some local forests to remove plants that are unhealthy for the ecosystem. 

Woodstock Day Crew

Dates: July 15 – August 8

Hours: 8:00 – 4:30, Monday through Thursday

Weekly Compensation: $397

Age Requirement: 15-17

Improve Marsh Billings Rockefeller National Historical Park. Park staff works with this crew and has a variety of projects including taking care of trails. Past crews have also built fences and benches, spread mulch and stacked wood. 

Burlington Day Crew

Dates: June 17 – July 11 and/or July 15 – August 8

Hours: 8:00 – 4:30, Monday through Thursday

Weekly Compensation: $397

Age Requirement: 15-17

Make Burlington’s parks healthier. This crew will work in several parks in and around Burlington. Projects include improving trails impacted by flooding, planting trees, and removing invasive species (like honeysuckle and knotweed) by hand and with loppers.   

Food & Farm Positions

All Food & Farm Crews are based at our 12-acre organic farm in Richmond, Vermont.

Members work in farm fields and greenhouses to grow and harvest vegetables. Every Wednesday, we pack the harvest into Health Care Share boxes for delivery. Members take turns preparing lunch with the most recent harvest.  

We’re working on a plan to provide free transportation to and from Burlington and/or Winooski. If your teen is interested but transportation is a challenge, please encourage them to apply and we will be happy to discuss options. We will also pick up Members at the Richmond Park & Ride.

AmeriCorps Day Crew Member 

Dates: June 17 – August 15  

Hours: 8:00 – 4:30, Monday through Thursday 

Weekly Compensation: $373 

Age Requirements: 17+  

Session Day Crew Member 

Dates: June 17 – July 11 and/or July 22 – August 15

Hours: 8:00 – 4:30, Monday through Thursday 

Weekly Compensation: $367 

Age Requirements: 15+  

Applications are open. Head over to https://www.vycc.org/join-us/positions to apply today!

What Else Should You Know?

VYCC is about more than making a difference for the environment and earning money. It’s an opportunity for youth to: 

• Find a sense of purpose 
• Learn how to work well on a team 
• Connect with the natural world 
• Persevere and overcome challenges 
• Be part of a supportive and inclusive community 
• Develop their skills toward a future career 

As Cole, a 2023 Conservation Youth Crew Member, put it: 

“It’s intense work but it’s very rewarding. You get to spend all day outside, working on making your local parks a better place to be and a better place for the environment. It’s been awesome. And it is hard work.” 

If this all sounds like something you and your teen are excited about, bookmark our positions page and sign up for our mailing list to be the first to know when positions open.