Northwest Youth Corps

Individual Placement

National Park Service

Lewis and Clark National Historical Park

Astoria, Oregon- 640 hours

Position Title: Natural Resources Individual Placement

Position Summary:

Lewis and Clark National Historical Park is recruiting one 640-HR Natural Resources Individual Placement, beginning June through September 2026 (640 hours, 16 weeks) to be located within Astoria, Oregon. Starting date is negotiable to accommodate student schedules. The member will serve the park's Integrated Resource Division and will primarily be assisting with invasive plant control and monitoring projects.

About Northwest Youth Corps (NYC):

Northwest Youth Corps was created in 1984 to offer teenagers and young adults an education-based, work experience modeled after the historic Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930's. Today, we serve over 1,000 youth and young adults each year across a four-state region who restore critical habitat, build trails, lead volunteers, and educate youth and young adults to learn, grow and experience success.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Invasive Plant Control (60%)
  • Duties may include conducting surveys of forest and wetlands for invasive plants, mechanical removal using shovels and string trimmers, and application of herbicide when appropriate. Members will receive training in integrated pest management principles, safe herbicide application, and plant identification skills.
• Monitoring Projects (20%)
  • Duties may include surveying forest monitoring plots, conducting wetland vegetation surveys, water quality, bird and bat bioacoustics, and entering data into databases.
• Administrative Tasks and Training (10%)
  • Duties may include formal training in general safety, policies, and exposure to job opportunities within the National Park Service. Duties will include creating a report about the work completed during the Summer.

Required Qualifications:

• Current Driver's license, a clean driving record, and personal transportation
• Ages 18 to 30 (up to 35 for veterans)
• U.S. Citizen or lawful, permanent resident
• Must pass a background/driver check
• Must have a high school diploma/GED
• Ability to safely use hand tools and power tools such as loppers and string trimmers
• Willingness to carry and use herbicides
• Ability to work outdoors, hike, and work in inclement weather across uneven terrain
• Willingness to work as part of a team in an outdoor setting
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 lbs
• Ability to paddle and self-rescue out of a kayak (training provided)

Desired Qualifications:

• Knowledge of Northwest regional natural resources and plants
• College-level coursework in biology
• Previous experience using GPS units, maps, and compasses for navigating off-trail

Duty Location:

Primary duties are performed within the Resources Division located in the Fort Clatsop Unit of the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, 92381 Fort Clatsop Road in Astoria, Oregon.

Terms of Employment:

Member will complete a term of service (16 weeks), starting June 2026, through September 2026. The member must complete a minimum of 640 service hours by the end of their term.

Program Benefits:

Individual Placement will earn $9,600 living allowance dispersed on a monthly basis throughout the 16 weeks.

The living allowance are taxable. A housing stipend may be available.

Application Instructions

• Application Deadline: Open Until Filled
• Interviews: Will occur as qualified applications are received.
• Type of position: Individual Placement
• Service Dates: June- September 2026
• Length of Term: 16 Weeks (minimum of 640 Hours)

Additional Information

If you have questions about the position, please reach Northwest Youth Corps Interns at interns@nwyouthcorps.org or 541-654-4704 or Natural Resource Program Manager Kayla Fermin at kayla_fermin@nps.gov or (503) 861-4444.

All job offers are contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background check (criminal history and driving history).