Now Accepting Applications for the 2025 Season
Corpsmember applicants must be Boulder County residents between the ages of 14-17 as of the first day of work (Monday, June 9) and they will start at $16.00/hour. Corpsmembers work 30 hours per week, Monday through Thursday, from June 9 to July 30. The application deadline is Friday, April 4.
Reference Letter
If you have never worked for the Youth Corps before, you will be required to submit one letter of reference from an adult who knows you who is not a family or household member.
Ask a teacher, counselor, coach, clergy member, youth group leader, neighbor, family friend, etc. PLAN AHEAD! Do not wait until the last minute to ask someone to write a letter, and please be mindful of the deadline.
Attach your letter to your application, or adults can submit it through the Recommendation Form
Selection
First-year Corpsmembers will be chosen based on their application, letter of reference, interview, availability, applicable experience, willingness to follow rules, and interest in being part of a team.
Returning Corpsmembers who are eligible for re-hire and submit an application by the deadline will receive preference in the hiring process.
Work Days and Times
- Corpsmembers work 30 hours per week; Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. with a half-hour unpaid lunch.
- The program starts on Monday, June 9, and ends on Wednesday, July 30.
- Corpsmembers will be required to constantly perform manual labor in varying weather conditions; they will frequently walk over uneven terrain; and they may be asked to carry up to 40 pounds alone or with a teammate up to 100 feet anywhere from occasionally up to 2/3 or more of the time.
- To maintain employment, Corpsmembers may miss no more than four days, except for verified medical reasons or family emergencies. Plan vacations around the holiday break (July 3-4).
Locations
Corpsmembers will be placed on teams that meet in or near their hometowns. For example, an applicant from Lafayette will be placed on a team that meets in Lafayette or Louisville.
Pay
Employees will be paid using direct deposit. Open a checking or savings account if needed.
- $16.00/hour for 1st Year Corpsmembers
- $16.40/hour for 2nd Year Corpsmembers
- $16.81/hour for 3rd Year Corpsmembers
- $17.23/hour for 4th Year Corpsmembers
- $100 bonus possible for successful completion
Affinity Crews
The Youth Corps believes diversity is a key source of strength for our communities and we strive to create a safe and empowering environment for participants from a wide range of backgrounds and abilities. A key element of our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is fielding single-identity affinity crews to support communities historically underserved in the outdoor space. This year, we will field two affinity crews, a Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) Crew and a LGBTQ+ Crew. Affinity crews will work on typical Youth Corps projects side-by-side with Corpsmembers and Leaders who share in their identity.
Community Forest Corps
The Youth Corps will also field a Community Forest Corps team. Launched in June 2024, the Community Forest Corps empowers local youth to care for trees planted by our Tree Trust, while acquiring knowledge about the power of nature to combat climate change, giving back to the planet and our communities, as well as learning about potential career pathways in urban forestry and nature-based climate solutions. Corpsmembers on this team will gain skills related to tree care, leadership, public speaking, community organizing, and more in this summer job program hosted by the PLAY Boulder Foundation Tree Trust.
Interviews
Applicants who have never worked for us before will need to attend an in-person interview in April.
Returning Corpsmembers be given a brief phone interview in early April.
Social Security Number
All employees must have a Social Security number before they begin work. File for a number now if you do not have one because it can be a lengthy process! More information is available from the Social Security Administration.
Frequently Asked Questions
See the FAQ page for more information about the Youth Corps.
