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 earn an hourly wage, earning 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 to Thursday they will work in City and Borough of Juneau parks, learning on the job and completing important maintenance and construction projects. Examples of projects that will be completed throughout the course of the summer include trail construction, repairing baseball fields, painting picnic tables and structures, garden maintenance for the ZGYC garden, and cleaning up litter around our community.
Fridays, are half days and they will learn life skills like money management, first aid, interview and job skills and more. There will occasionally be a guest speaker from a local community business or organization to teach crew members about their business or career path, building resumes, practicing interviews, and learning how to find job opportunities.
Have questions? You can contact Emma from SAIL at 888-487-0968 or 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
- How to find a job
What educational topics are covered?
- Edible and Medicinal Plants
- Local Alaska Native History
- Kayaking Safety
- Small Engine Basics
- Financial Literacy
- Career Exploration
