Plenty of litter has accumulated on roadways across Central Washington over the winter that needs picking up. While many are thinking it’s time for some “spring cleaning” around their homes, now is also the time when teens can apply for a summer job where they can earn cash and help the environment.

The Washington Department of Ecology plans to hire as many as 72 teenagers to help clean Central Washington parks and roadways as part of the Ecology Youth Corps (EYC).

Applicants must be ages 14-17 as of June 27. Applications are due by April 1 and are available through area school counselors and Ecology’s website – ecology.wa.gov/EYCjobs.Teens will be assigned to one of six crews based in Ellensburg, Goldendale, Richland, Sunnyside, Toppenish or Union Gap. Teens chosen will work up to 34 hours per week, from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and will earn $13.50 an hour. They will be assigned to one of two sessions: June 29 to July 21, or July 22 to Aug. 13.

In 2019, crews picked up over 1.2 million pounds of litter and cleaned over 4,000 miles of roads statewide. Nearly 100,000 pounds of the litter collected was recyclable. Since 1975, the program has hired more than 12,500 Washington teens, offering them a summer job, valuable work experience, and the chance to preserve and protect Washington’s environment and natural beauty.

For more information, call 575-2490 at our Central Regional office, or by email contact Rod Hankinson at rodney.hankinson@ecy.wa.gov, or Monica Martinez at monica.martinez@ecy.wa.gov.