Ecology Youth Corps

Now hiring!

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 County and Vancouver

Working: March 7, 2022 – June 22, 2022
To apply: Send your resume to ariona@ecy.wa.gov by Feb. 23, 2022.

Adult litter crew supervisors

We are accepting resumes for two full-time adult litter crew supervisor positions in the area below. Supervisors work 10 hours per day Monday – Thursday and receive $19.37-$20.32 per hour with insurance benefits.

Lacey

Working: March 1, 2022 – Nov. 30, 2022
To apply: Send your resume to ariona@ecy.wa.gov by Feb. 1, 2022.

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.

Whatcom, Skagit, South King, and Kitsap Counties

Working: March 7, 2022 – Nov. 30, 2022
To apply: Send your resume to justin.boneau@ecy.wa.gov

Adult litter crew supervisors

No jobs available at this time.

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

Summer youth crew members

Application period begins Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022.

Applications must be received by 5 p.m. Friday, April 1, 2022. Teacher reference forms must be received by 5 p.m. on Monday, April 4, 2022.

Crewmembers work Monday – Thursday, 8 hours per day for $14.49 per hour.

We are hiring 14 – 17 year olds to work on our Ecology Youth Corps (EYC) road crews in the summer of 2022. Please see the position description at the top of this page for more information.

We have two summer sessions. We will place those hired in either the first or the second session. First session runs June 27 – July 21 (July 3^rd non-paid holiday) and second session runs July 25 – Aug. 17. We anticipate hiring 40 crewmembers to fill five road crews.

In our Central region, we have EYC road crews based in:

Ellensburg
Richland
Sunnyside
Toppenish
Union Gap/Yakima

How to apply

The application process has two parts that you must complete. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Part 1 is the online application. We prefer you apply online, but if you are unable to complete the online application, you may print and mail in a paper application.
Part 2 is completing and returning two Teacher Reference Forms. These forms are available at the end of the online application. You can also print copies of the Teacher Reference Form.

Please mail school reference forms and/or applications to:

Solid Waste Administrative Assistant
Department of Ecology
1250 West Alder Street
Union Gap, WA 98903- 0009

Washington provides equal opportunity for employment, services and facilities. If you have special accommodation needs, please contact the Ecology Employee Services Office at 360-407-6186. For TTY for the hearing impaired, contact the Washington State Relay Operator/Service at 711 or 1-800-833-6388.

After you apply

We do not send out notifications that we received your application. We will notify you by phone if we select you for an interview.

If you have not received a call by the middle of May, we did not select you for an interview this season. We are unable to interview everyone due to the volume of applications. We encourage you to reapply next year.

Those hired must attend a meeting in May or early June with a parent or legal guardian. You will turn in hiring paperwork and learn more about the job at this mandatory hiring meeting.

Questions?

Rod Hankinson
Central Region Litter Administrator
rodney.hankinson@ecy.wa.gov
509-454-7209

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 crew members

Application period begins Feb. 1, 2022. Applications and teacher reference forms must be received by 5 p.m. on April 1, 2022. Crewmembers work Monday – Thursday, 8 hours per day, for $14.49 per hour

We are hiring 14 – 17 year olds to work on our Ecology Youth Corps (EYC) road crews in the summer of 2022. Please see the position description at the top of this page for more information.

We have two summer sessions. If you are hired, you will work 16 days within either the first or the second session. Schedules are filled out at the time of employment. First session runs from June 27 – July 28 and the second session runs from July 1 – Aug. 18 (July 3 is an unpaid holiday). We anticipate hiring 40 crewmembers to fill 8 road crews.

In 2022, Ecogy's Eastern Region will have EYC youth crews based in:

Moses Lake
Spokane

The Pasco youth crew was cancelled in 2022. Unfortunately, Ecology was unable to hire a qualified supervisor.

How to apply

The application process has two parts that you must complete. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Part 1 is the online application. We prefer you apply online, but if you are unable to complete the online application, you may print and mail in a paper application.
Part 2 is completing and returning two Teacher Reference Forms. These forms are available at the end of the online application. You can also print copies of the Teacher Reference Form.

Please mail school reference forms and/or applications to:

Lynette Kuehl
Department of Ecology
4601 N Monroe
Spokane, WA 99205-1295

Washington provides equal opportunity for employment, services and facilities. If you have special accommodation needs, please contact the Ecology Employee Services Office at 360-407-6186. For TTY for the hearing impaired, contact the Washington State Relay Operator/Service at 711 or 1-800-833-6388.

After you apply

We do not send out notifications that we received your application. We will notify you by phone if we select you for an interview.

Those hired must attend a meeting in May or early June with a parent or legal guardian. You will turn in hiring paperwork and learn more about the job at this mandatory hiring meeting.

Questions?

Laurie Dahmen
Eastern Region Litter Administrator
laurie.dahmen@ecy.wa.gov
509-951-2132

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

Summer youth corps supervisors

We are accepting resumes for Ecology Youth Corps Supervisors in the areas below. Supervisors work nine hours per day Monday - Thursday. Salary range is $3,067 to $3,535 per month. Resumes are due by March 15, 2022.

Spokane (Spokane County)

Working: March 1 - November 30
Will run a youth crew June 21 - August 19
To Apply: Send your resume to laurie.dahmen@ecy.wa.gov

Pasco (Franklin County) and Spokane County

Training: To be determined between June 8 – June 17

Working: June 20 – Aug. 19, 2022

To Apply: Send your resume to laurie.dahmen@ecy.wa.gov

Adult litter crew members

No jobs available at this time.

Adult litter crew supervisors

No supervisor jobs are available at this time.

Questions?

Laurie Dahmen
Eastern Region litter administrator
laurie.dahmen@ecy.wa.gov
509-951-2132

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

Laurie Dahmen
Eastern Region litter administrator
Counties: Adams, Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, Walla Walla, Whitman
laurie.dahmen@ecy.wa.gov
509-951-2132

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Ecology Youth Corps

Now hiring!

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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