Youth Employment in Parks
What is the Youth Employment in Parks (YEP) program?
The YEP program engages qualifying Juneau youth (ages 16-19) for 9 weeks in a supportive summer work experience focused on developing job skills and employment education. YEP is a partnership of the Zach Gordon Youth Center, Juneau Parks and Recreation and Southeast Alaska Independent Living (SAIL). Youth Employment in Parks is funded through the City & Borough of Juneau and the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and Disability Employment Initiative.
What do you YEP crews do?
YEP participants make an hourly wage and earn up to $2,000 over the course of the summer, with the potential to earn an end of season bonus. Crew members work five days a week, Monday through Friday.
Monday through Thursday they work in City and Borough of Juneau parks, learning on the job and completing important maintenance and construction projects. Examples of projects that might be completed throughout the course of the summer include trail construction, repairing baseball fields, painting picnic tables and structures, performing maintenance on the ZGYC garden, and cleaning up litter around our community.
Fridays are half days where they spend time learning life skills such as money management, first aid, interview and job skills, and more. There will occasionally be a guest speaker from a local community business or organization that teaches crew members about their business or career path, building resumes, practicing interviews, or learning how to find job opportunities.
Have questions? You can contact Emma from SAIL at 888-487-0968 or the Zach Gordon Youth Center at 907-586-2635.
Who is eligible?
Must meet all the criteria below:
- Youth between the ages of 16 and 20
- Still enrolled in school
- With an IEP (Individual Education Plan) or 504 plan
What job skills can I learn?
- Landscaping
- General Carpentry and Construction
- Hand and Power Tool Operation
- Trail Construction
- Leadership Skills
- Resume Writing
- Interview Skills
- Finding a Job
What educational topics are covered?
- Edible and Medicinal Plants
- Local Alaska Native History
- Kayaking Safety
- Small Engine Basics
- Financial Literacy
- Career Exploration
