The Washington Department of Ecology’s Central Regional Office in Union Gap plans to hire 72 teenagers throughout Central Washington this summer as part of the Ecology Youth Corps.

In 2016, youth corps crews picked up 1.2 million pounds of litter and cleaned 5,445 miles of roads statewide. Since 1975, the program has hired more than 12,000 Washington teens, offering them work experience, a summer job, and the chance to preserve our state’s natural beauty and protect our environment.

Teens chosen for the youth corps will work up to 35 hours per week, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday. They will be assigned to one of six crews, based in Ellensburg, Goldendale, Richland, Sunnyside, Toppenish or Yakima, and will work in one of two three-week sessions: July 5 to July 26, or July 27 to Aug. 17. Participants will earn $11 an hour.

Applicants must be ages 14-17 as of July 5. Applications are due by April 3 and are available through area school counselors and on our Ecology Youth Corps page.

For more information, contact Rod Hankinson in Ecology’s Central Regional office at rodney.hankinson@ecy.wa.gov or 509-454-7209.