Northwest Youth Corps

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Individual Placement – 480 HR

Willamette Valley Project – Cottage Grove, OR

Position Title: Park Ranger Assistant Individual Placement

Position Summary:

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is recruiting two (2) 480-Hour Park Ranger Assistant Individual Placements beginning early-June through early-September 2026. Individual Placements will support recreation and natural resource management on Army Corps lands at the Willamette Valley Project.

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:

Major duties are related to assisting personnel in recreation and natural resource management and related activities at the Willamette Valley Project. Specific activities include:

• Park and Recreation Site Management – 60% Individual placements will assist with recreation management of parks and natural areas including staffing the campground entrance booth, conducting park patrols (sometimes with a uniformed USACE ranger), trail work, and collecting, recording, and analyzing traffic counter data. Duties may also include vehicle cleaning and stocking safety items, sign installation and other light maintenance tasks. Much of the work will be outdoors, in possible inclement weather.
• Public Education and Interpretive Services – 20% Individual placements will meet and greet visitors at campground entrance booth and disseminate relevant and accurate information to the public. Individual placements will also assist with conducting water safety outreach with the visiting public and monitor and maintain life jacket loaner boards to ensure consistent access for the visiting public. Duties may also include upkeep of bulletin boards and presenting programs in the campgrounds.
• Wildlife Habitat and Vegetation Improvement – 20% The individual placement will assist with vegetation management projects consisting of invasive species removal and maintenance of native plants in landscaped or restored areas, vegetation and/or wildlife surveys, plant restoration work, and other natural resource-related tasks as needed, which may include boundary inspections and maintenance, and administrative work.

Required Qualifications:

• Must have a valid driver's license and a reliable vehicle to travel to work sites
• Ages 18-30 (up to 35 for veterans)
• U.S. Citizen or lawful, permanent resident
• Must pass a background/driver check
• Must have a high school diploma or GED
• Ability to walk and hike outdoors on uneven ground
• Ability and willingness to work holidays, nights and weekends

Desired Qualifications:

• Customer service experience
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Interest in recreation and natural resource management
• Public speaking skills

Duty Location:

The individual placements will report daily to the USACE office or assigned campground at the Cottage Grove Park Ranger office at 75819 Shortridge Hill Road, Cottage Grove, OR. The individual placements must arrange their own transportation to and from the office and will use their own vehicle for transportation to parks.

Terms of Employment:

One individual placement will complete a term of service (length dependent on commitment of hours), starting early-June through early-September 2026 for a total of 12 Weeks (working around school schedules as needed). The individual placement will average 40 hours of labor per week, minus holidays. Individual placements are responsible for providing their own personal transportation and food. Housing will not be provided.

Program Benefits:

Individual placements will earn $7,680 living allowance dispersed on a monthly basis throughout the 12-week term. The living allowance are taxable. Additionally, there is a mileage reimbursement fund of $700 available during the term for work travel with personal vehicle.

Application Instructions

• Application Deadline: Open Until Filled
• Interviews: Will occur as qualified applications are received.
• Type of position: Individual Placement
• Service Dates: early-June - early-September 2026
• Length of Term: 12 Weeks (480 Hours)

Additional Information

If you have questions about the position, please reach out to Northwest Youth Corps Internship Department at interns@nwyouthcorps.org or 208-625-8402, or Lead Natural Resource Specialist, Christie Johnson at 541-942-5631.

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