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 Directive 22-13.1, state employees must be fully vaccinated effective Nov. 4, 2022. Providing proof of being fully vaccinated is a condition of employment, and your vaccine status will be verified prior to starting work. Being fully vaccinated means two weeks after you have received the second dose in a two-dose series of a COVID-19 vaccine or a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine authorized for emergency use, licensed or otherwise authorized or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or listed for emergency use or otherwise approved by the World Health Organization. If you have questions, please contact Careers@ecy.wa.gov with “COVID-19 vaccination” in the subject line.

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, safety awareness, and receive environmental education. Crew members earn $15.74 per hour and work 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday – Thursday.

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

Youth crew member requirements:

14 – 17 years old
Eligible to work in the United States
Social Security card and photo identification
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 crew members receive $19 per hour and work 38 – 40 hours per week, Monday – Thursday.

Adult crew member 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 three –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.

Crew Supervisors work 40 hours per week, Monday – Thursday. Salary range is $3,650 to $3,734 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 teen youth.

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 crew members as young as 14 years old.
Transport crew in assigned vehicle, and operate 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, cellphone use, vehicle care and maintenance, recycling, and litter pick-up efficiency.
Conduct interviews and assist in crew-hiring process and new-employee/ parent information meetings.
Complete all reporting and payroll paperwork in a neat, accurate, and timely fashion.
Maintain 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 to be 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

Application period begins Feb. 1, 2023.
Applications and teacher reference forms must be received by 5 p.m. on April 20, 2023.

We are hiring 14-17 year olds to work on our Ecology Youth Corps (EYC) road crews from July 10 – Aug. 17, 2023. Crew members work Monday–Thursday, eight hours per day. Rate of pay is $15.74 per hour. Please see the position description at the top of this page for more information. We anticipate hiring six crew members per crew.

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

Aberdeen/Montesano
Centralia/Chehalis
Lacey

How to apply

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

Part 1 is completing the online application. Please contact us or your school counselor if you need a hard copy.
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 here.

Please mail school reference forms and/or applications to:

Suzy Lewis
Department of Ecology
PO Box 47776
Olympia, WA 98504

The State of 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?

Suzy Lewis
Ecology Youth Corps
Administrative Assistant
Sule461@ecy.wa.gov
360-789-9601

Adult litter crew members

We are currently accepting resumes for full-time crew members working in the areas listed below. Crew members work 10 hours per day, Monday – Thursday. Rate of pay is $19 per hour with with medical, dental, and sick leave benefits.

Thurston/ Pierce County crews

Working: March 6 - Nov. 30, 2023

Clark County crew

Working: March 1 - Nov. 30, 2023

To apply: Send your resume to ariona@ecy.wa.gov. by Feb. 23, 2023. Resumes will be accepted throughout the year for vacancies that may occur.

Litter crew supervisors

We are currently accepting resumes for three full-time litter crew supervisors for adult and teen crews in the areas listed below. Supervisors work 10 hours per day, Monday – Thursday. Monthly salary is $3,650 – $3,734 with medical, dental, and retirement benefits. Position includes accrual of vacation and sick leave.

Working: May 1 - Nov. 30, 2023.

Crew locations: Lacey and Centralia/Chehalis

To apply: Send your resume to ariona@ecy.wa.gov. by April 15, 2023.

Questions?

Ariona
Southwest Region litter administrator
ariona@ecy.wa.gov
360-789-9601

Northwest region

Adult litter crew members

We are currently accepting resumes for full-time crew members working in the areas listed below. Crew members work 10 hours per day, Monday – Thursday. Rate of pay is $19 per hour, with medical, dental, and sick-leave benefits.

Working: March 1 – Nov. 30, 2023

Crew locations: Whatcom, Skagit, Kitsap and south King counties

To apply: Send your resume to Justin.Boneau@ecy.wa.gov with “Adult Litter Crew Position” in the subject line by Feb. 21, 2023. Resumes are accepted throughout the year for vacancies that may occur.

Adult litter crew supervisors

No current vacancies. Please check back.

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 Feb. 1, 2023.
Applications must be received by 5 pm on April 3, 2023, and Teacher Reference Forms will be accepted until 5 p.m. on April 6, 2023.

We are hiring 14-17 year olds to work on our Ecology Youth Corps (EYC) road crews for two summer sessions running July 5 – July 27, 2023, and July 31 – August 22, 2023. Crew members work Monday–Thursday, 7.5 hours per day. Rate of pay is $15.74 per hour. Please see the position description at the top of this page for more information. These positions are competitive, and we anticipate hiring 72 crewmembers to fill six road crews.

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

Ellensburg
Yakima
Toppenish
Sunnyside
Richland
Goldendale

How to apply

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

Part 1 is completing the online application. Please contact us or your school counselor if you need a hard copy.
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 here.

Please mail school reference forms and/or applications to:

Rod Hankinson
Department of Ecology
1250 West Alder Street
Union Gap, WA 98903-0009

The State of 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 May 1, 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?

Suzanna Martinez
Ecology Youth Corps Assistant
Suzanna.Martinez@ecy.wa.gov
509-506-1839

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

Adult litter crew members

Adult litter crew members applying in the cities of Kennewick or Richland, please submit your resume to our Eastern Region Office. Please check back periodically for future job postings.

Adult litter crew supervisors

Adult litter crew supervisors applying in the cities of Kennewick or Richland, please submit your resume to our Eastern Region Office. Please check back periodically for future job postings.

Questions?

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

Eastern region

Summer youth crew members

Application period begins Feb. 1, 2023.
Applications and teacher reference forms must be received by 5 p.m. on April 3, 2023.

We are hiring 14–17 year olds to work on our Ecology Youth Corps (EYC) road crews from July 5 - Aug. 17, 2023. Crew members work Monday – Thursday, eight hours per day. Schedules are finalized after you are hired. Rate of pay is $15.74 per hour. Please see the position description at the top of this page for more information. These positions are competitive, and we anticipate hiring 20 crewmembers to fill two road crews.

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

Moses Lake
Spokane

How to apply

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

Part 1 is completing the online application. Please contact us or your school counselor if you need a hard copy.
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 here.

Please mail school reference forms and/or applications to:

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

The State of 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 April 15 for the Moses Lake area or by June 1 for the Spokane area, 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?

Lynette Kuehl
Ecology Youth Corps Assistant
Lynette.Kuehl@ecy.wa.gov
509-919-2509

Ryan Plouse
Eastern Region Litter Administrator
Ryan.Plouse@ecy.wa.gov
509-951-2132

Adult litter crew members

We are currently accepting resumes for full-time crew members working in the areas listed below. Crew members work 10 hours per day, Monday - Thursday. Rate of pay is $19 per hour with medical, dental, and sick-leave benefits.

Working: March 1 - Nov. 30, 2023

Crew locations: Spokane, Grant, Franklin, and Walla Walla Counties, and the cities of Kennewick and Richland.

To apply: Send your resume to Ryan.Plouse@ecy.wa.gov by Feb. 21, 2023.

Adult litter crew supervisors

Currently accepting resumes for full-time litter crew supervisors in the areas listed below. Supervisors work 10 hours per day, Monday - Thursday. Monthly salary is $3,650 - $3,734 with medical, dental, and retirement benefits. Position includes accruing vacation and sick leave.

Working: March 1 - Nov. 30, 2023

Crew locations: Spokane, Grant, Franklin, and Walla Walla Counties, and the cities of Kennewick and Richland.

To apply: Send your resume to Ryan.Plouse@ecy.wa.gov by Feb. 21, 2023.

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
360-789-9601

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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