AmeriCorps Camping Crew Member

LOCATION: Starts and ends in Eugene, OR. Project locations generally include national forests, national parks, and wilderness areas throughout Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. Crews can expect to work in one location for multiple weeks at a time. The crew will camp together onsite for their entire session.  

BENEFITS: Members receive a living allowance of $6,000 dispersed in pro-rated monthly increments, along with a $1,956.35 AmeriCorps Education Award upon successful completion of the program, which can be used for college tuition or applicable student loans. All meals, transportation, and camping locations will be provided at no cost to the members.  

DATES / HOURS: Session runs September 9 - November 20, 2026. Members must complete a minimum of 450 hours of service including: work, training, education, travel time, and two breaks each day. This is a community-oriented program, so members partake in group activities both after work and on weekends. Many of these non-project work hours do count toward AmeriCorps member service hours. No time away from programming is provided during the 10-week immersive program.  

Program Description:   

Northwest Youth Corps is seeking young adults ages 19+ to camp, travel, and work together on challenging conservation projects across the Northwest.  

Crew members camp in tents for 10 weeks, traveling to multiple sites across the mountains and forests of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. Experienced field staff provide training on projects such as tree planting, fuels reduction, invasive plant removal, and trail construction, using hand and power tools. You join a close-knit team of 4-5 crew members who play a vital role in improving our public lands and the environment.  

This is tough work. We work in all weather. Our projects are hands-on, team-based, and physically demanding. Crews camp together the entire session continuously. On weekends, crews usually go into town to resupply on food, get showers and laundry, and explore the area. Occasionally we have backcountry work deep in the forest for two weeks or more. We value community, connection with others, and mutual support. All training is provided. If you haven’t had access to the outdoors but are interested in growing your skills, come learn with us.  

All crew member positions are AmeriCorps service programs designed to provide hands-on training and experience. Crew alumni often go on to work for land management agencies like the Forest Service or Fish and Wildlife Service, other nonprofits, or in leadership roles with NYC. There is also the opportunity to earn a Public Land Corps hiring authority upon program completion, which makes getting a federal job less competitive. Graduates of the program also gain access to our Alumni Network for career development and networking opportunities, and for staying connected with crewmates. Training varies, but may include chainsaw/crosscut certification, trail construction and maintenance techniques, conservation education, driver training, and more.  

Qualifications:  

• Age 19+ (some flexibility for 18-year-olds with prior relevant experience)
• High School Diploma or GED
• Positive mental attitude, flexibility and commitment to success
• Excellent judgment
• Ability to listen, give and take feedback
• Desire to go the extra mile to make a positive impact on oneself, others and the environment
• US citizenship or permanent residency
• Acceptable criminal history background check
• Positive mental attitude, willingness to learn, and a team player
• Desire to conserve natural spaces and make an impact on the environment
• While no experience with these is required, you should be physically and mentally prepared to:
• Hike several miles and be on foot for 8 hours per day
• Camp in tents for ten weeks continuously without modern conveniences and without cell phones
• Follow safety protocols
• Build community with people very different from you

Northwest Youth Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer.