Ecology Litter Corps

For nearly 50 years, the Ecology Litter Corps (ELC) has hired Washington teens and adults to pick up litter on the state's roads and highways. ELC provides valuable training, job skills, experience in environmental cleanup, and environmental field trips.

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

ELC position descriptions

The Ecology Litter Corps (formerly Ecology Youth Corps) hires teens 14 –17 years old to 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 minimum wage 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 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 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.

Ecology Litter Corps hires adult crews to work March through November. Adult crew members receive $20 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 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. Supervisor salaries fall within State of Washington Class Salary Range 41. 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 Litter 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 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 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

Adult litter crew members

We are currently accepting resumes for full-time crew members working in the areas listed below. Open until filled. Crew members work 10 hours per day, Monday – Thursday. Rate of pay is $20 per hour. Benefits include: medical, dental, paid sick leave.

Working: March – November, 2025

Crew Locations: Clark, Pierce, and Thurston counties

To apply: Send your resume to maggie.gray@ecy.wa.gov. Resumes will be accepted throughout the year.

Adult Litter crew supervisors

We are currently accepting resumes for full-time crew supervisors in the areas listed below. Open until filled. Crew supervisors work 10 hours per day, Monday – Thursday. Salary range is $3,558 - $4,632 per month. Benefits include: medical, dental, paid vacation and sick leave.

Working: March – November, 2025

Crew Locations: Cowlitz and Thurston counties

To apply: Send your resume to maggie.gray@ecy.wa.gov. Open until filled.

Questions?

Maggie Gray
Southwest Region litter administrator
maggie.gray@ecy.wa.gov
360-789-9601

Northwest region

Adult litter crew members

The Adult Litter Crew Member positions have been filled by returning staff. However, we are accepting resumes for future openings in the areas listed below. Recruitment occurs as vacancies arise. Crew members work 10 hours per day, Monday – Thursday. Rate of pay is $20 per hour. Benefits include: medical, dental, paid sick leave.

Working: March – November, 2025

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

To apply: Send your resume to justin.boneau@ecy.wa.gov. Resumes are accepted throughout the year.

Adult litter crew supervisors

The Adult Litter Crew Supervisor positions have been filled by returning staff. However, we are accepting resumes for future openings in the areas listed below. Recruitment occurs as vacancies arise. Crew supervisors work 10 hours per day, Monday – Thursday. Salary range is $3,558 - $4,632 per month. Benefits include: medical, dental, paid vacation and sick leave.

Working: March – November, 2025

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

To apply: Send your resume to justin.boneau@ecy.wa.gov. Resumes are accepted throughout the year.

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

Eastern 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 $20 per hour with medical, dental, and sick-leave benefits.

Working: March 5 – November 26, 2025

Crew locations: Spokane and Grant counties

To apply: Send your resume to ryan.plouse@ecy.wa.gov. Resumes are accepted throughout the year for vacancies that may occur.

Adult litter crew supervisors

Working: March – November, 2025

Crew locations: Grant county

To apply: Send your resume to ryan.plouse@ecy.wa.gov. Resumes are accepted throughout the year for vacancies that may occur.

Questions?

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

Contact information

Maggie Gray
Southwest Region litter administrator
Counties: Clallam, Clark, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Pierce, Skamania, Thurston, Wahkiakum
maggie.gray@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

Ecology Litter Corps

Click on a region for hiring information in your area

ELC position descriptions

Youth crew member requirements:

If hired, you must:

Safety

Minimum qualifications:

Supervisor duties:

Southwest region

Summer youth crew members

Adult litter crew members

Adult Litter crew supervisors

Questions?

Northwest region

Summer youth crew members

Questions?

Adult litter crew members

Adult litter crew supervisors

Questions?

Central region

Summer youth crew members

Adult litter crew members

Adult litter crew supervisors

Questions?

Eastern region

Summer youth crew members

Adult litter crew members

Adult litter crew supervisors

Questions?

Related links

Contact information