Ecology Youth Corps

For over 40 years, the Ecology Youth Corps (EYC) has hired Washington teens and adults to pick up litter on the state's roads and highways. EYC provides valuable training, job skills, experience in environmental cleanup, and environmental field trips. Learn more about this program, including how to apply for one of our 300 annual positions.

Click on a region for hiring information in your area

State map showing Ecology's four regions with links to Ecology Youth Corps contact information

EYC position descriptions

Per Governor Inslee’s Proclamation 21-14.2, Washington State employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Successful candidates must provide proof of vaccination, before their start date. We will consider requests for medical and religious exemptions. For questions about the vaccine requirement, email careers@ecy.wa.gov. Please direct all other questions to the regional coordinators listed below.

The Ecology Youth Corps (EYC) is Washington's largest youth employment program. Teens (14-17 years old) serve on summer litter crews and provide an important service to their community. They gain valuable job skills, teamwork experience and safety awareness and receive environmental education. Crewmembers receive $14.49 per hour and work 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday – Thursday.

Crewmembers do not receive medical benefits, paid holiday, sick, or vacation time. Crewmembers are responsible for daily transportation to and from the crew meeting location. The supervisor transports the crew to and from this meeting point.

Youth crewmember requirements:

14 – 17 years old
Eligible to work in the United States
Social Security card and photo identification
Submit one complete application and two teacher references
Meet the conditions and requirements of the job
Work every day the entire session with no unexcused absences. (Camp or a family vacation is not an acceptable excuse.)

If hired, you must:

Work outdoors all day doing physical labor.
Wear furnished EYC t-shirt and safety gear.
Provide your own hard-soled, leather type, over-the-ankle work boots.
Ride long distances.
Bend over frequently while working.
Walk 3-10 miles a day.
Work in all weather conditions.
Work alongside fast moving traffic.
Be exposed to noise, fumes, road dust, etc.
Work where you may encounter bugs, spiders, mice, snakes, etc.
Gather and carry bags of trash all day.
Work safely, avoiding horseplay and other behavior that could be dangerous.
Work around pollen, dust, scotch broom, and other substances that can cause allergic reactions.
Recycle as much as possible.
Pick up all kinds of litter, including discarded diapers.
Behave professionally at all times.

Safety

Safety is our number one priority. All EYC employees receive extensive safety training.

Supervisors receive extensive training in first aid and CPR, hazardous materials recognition, highway safety procedures, defensive driving, and emergency preparedness.
Crews are trained in safety procedures before and during their time on the road. Their first day on the job is an all-day safety and team training. Routine safety meetings are held throughout the season.
Regional supervisors regularly visit each crew to ensure they are operating safely.

EYC hires adult litter crews to work March through November. Adult crewmembers receive $18 per hour and work 38 – 40 hours per week Monday – Thursday.

Adult crewmember requirements:

18 years old to apply.
Have a social security card and photo identification.
Eligible to work in the United States.
Demonstrate good safety awareness.
Willing to work outside all day doing physical labor, sometimes in uncomfortable weather conditions.
If hired, you must:
Work outdoors all day doing physical labor.
Wear furnished EYC T-shirt and safety gear.
Provide your own hard-soled, leather type, over-the-ankle work boots.
Ride long distances.
Bend over frequently while working.
Walk 3-10 miles a day.
Work in hot sun, rain, wind, and cold, etc.
Work alongside fast moving traffic.
Be exposed to noise, fumes, road dust, etc.
Work where you may encounter bugs, spiders, mice, snakes, etc.
Gather and carry bags of trash all day.
Work safely, avoiding horseplay and other behavior that could be dangerous.
Work around pollen, dust, scotch broom, and other substances that can cause allergic reactions.
Recycle as much as possible.
Pick up all kinds of litter, including discarded diapers.
Behave professionally at all times.

Adult Crew Supervisors work 40 hours per week, Monday - Thursday. Salary range is $3,370 to $3,535 per month. All Supervisor positions are temporary and/or seasonal. Supervisors undergo extensive training during a week-long orientation and safety program. They learn first aid and CPR, hazardous material recognition, highway safety procedures, defensive driving, and emergency preparedness.

The Ecology Youth Corps operates both youth and adult crews.

Youth Crew Supervisors work with 14-17 year olds on the shoulders of public roadways during our summer program.
Adult Crew Supervisors work in the spring and fall with adults on medians and shoulders of freeways, and in the summer with teens.

Minimum qualifications:

Graduation from high school or GED equivalent.
Two years of supervisory or lead experience working with youth.
Two years of college-level course work in social sciences, education, resource conservation or related field will substitute, year for year, for required experience.
Valid driver's license and good driving record.
Clean criminal history background check.
Stong communication skills and enjoy working with youth.

Supervisor duties:

Supervise up to seven EYC members as young as 14 years old.
Transport crew in assigned crew vehicle and operates it in a responsible manner.
Assume responsibility for the health, safety, well-being, morale, productivity, and discipline of the crew by adhering to EYC procedures and guidelines.
Coordinate litter pick-up along roadsides, center medians, and in urban settings that could be potentially dangerous due to traffic and other hazards.
Train crew members in safety and emergency procedures, cell phone use, vehicle care and maintenance, recycling, and litter pick-up efficiency.
Conduct interviews, assists in crew hiring process, and new employee/parent information meetings.
Completes all reporting and payroll paperwork in a neat, accurate, and timely fashion.
Maintains good order and cleanliness in the crew vehicle with the crew's help.
Motivate and increase the efficiency of the crew and evaluate crew performance.
Make regular verbal and written reports on crew output and time accounting.
Coordinate with the Department of Transportation (DOT) in areas cleaned, bag placement, and mowing schedules.
Identifiy hazards and follow safety procedures in removing them from roadways.
Lead crew on environmental tours, projects,and environmental education.
Assist program staff in the development and/or implementation of specific projects and activities designed to increase public awareness, reduce litter, and promote recycling.

Southwest region

Summer youth crew members

Summer teen crews are cancelled this year in the Southwest Region. We have been unable to sufficiently recruit in a couple key areas. Additionally, staffing and operational changes have required us to change our work plan and extend our current adult crews.

We hope to be able to run summer crews in the future. Please check back in February 2023 for updates.

Questions?

Ariona
Southwest Region Litter Administrator
ariona@ecy.wa.gov
360-407-6351

Adult litter crew members

We are accepting resumes for full-time adult litter crew members in the areas below. Crew members work 10 hours per day, Monday – Thursday, and receive $18 per hour with insurance benefits.

Thurston/Pierce Counties

Working: Now through November 22
To apply: Send your resume to ariona@ecy.wa.gov.

Adult litter crew supervisors

Supervisors work 10 hours per day Monday – Thursday and receive $19.55 – $20.98 per hour with insurance benefits and overtime eligible. There are no open positions at this time. Please check back in January 2023.

Questions?

Ariona
Southwest Region litter administrator
ariona@ecy.wa.gov
360-407-6351

Northwest region

Adult litter crew members

We are accepting resumes for full-time adult litter crew members in the areas below. Crew members work 10 hours per day, Monday – Thursday, and receive $18 per hour with insurance benefits.

South King County

Working: July 1 – Nov. 30, 2022
To apply: Send your resume to justin.boneau@ecy.wa.gov

Adult litter crew supervisors

We are accepting resumes for a full-time adult litter crew supervisor positions in the area below. Supervisors work 10 hours per day, Monday – Thursday, and receive $19.55 – $20.98 per hour with insurance benefits and overtime eligible.

Kitsap

Working: August 16 – Nov. 30, 2022
To apply: Send your resume to justin.boneau@ecy.wa.gov

Questions?

Justin Boneau
Northwest Region litter administrator
justin.boneau@ecy.wa.gov
425-213-3563

Sarah Elledge
EYC assistant
sarah.elledge@ecy.wa.gov
425-691-0566

Central region

Adult litter crew members

There are no jobs available at this time. Please check back periodically.

Adult litter crew supervisors

There are no jobs are available at this time. Please check back periodically.

Questions?

Rod Hankinson
Central Region litter administrator
rodney.hankinson@ecy.wa.gov
509-454-7209

Monica Martinez
EYC assistant
monica.martinez@ecy.wa.gov
509-454-7873

Eastern region

Summer youth corps supervisors

The application period is closed for the 2022 summer season. Please check back after Feb. 1, 2023 for information on the summer 2023 season.

Adult litter crew members

No jobs available at this time.

Adult litter crew supervisors

No supervisor jobs are available at this time.

Questions?

Lynette Kuehl
EYC assistant
lynette.kuehl@ecy.wa.gov
509-329-3434

Contact information

Ariona
Southwest Region litter administrator
Counties: Clallam, Clark, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Pierce, Skamania, Thurston, Wahkiakum
ariona@ecy.wa.gov
360-407-6351

Rod Hankinson
Central Region litter administrator
Counties: Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas, Klickitat, Okanogan, Yakima
rodney.hankinson@ecy.wa.gov
509-454-7209

Justin Boneau
Northwest Region litter administrator
Counties: Island, King, Kitsap, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, Whatcom
justin.boneau@ecy.wa.gov
425-213-3563

Ryan Plouse
Eastern Region litter administrator
Counties: Adams, Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, Walla Walla, Whitman
ryan.plouse@ecy.wa.gov
509-951-2132

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Ecology Youth Corps

Click on a region for hiring information in your area

EYC position descriptions

Southwest region

Northwest region

Central region

Eastern region

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Contact information