Lead the outdoor job adventure of a lifetime with the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps. Hiring Crew Leaders, Assistants and Corps Members.

Make a positive impact on the environment and food access, gain valuable leadership skills, and explore the Green Mountains while serving with VYCC!

Vermont is home to inspiring landscapes and waterways. For close to 40 years, Vermont Youth Conservation Corps has engaged in environmental stewardship of these lands. Imagine waking up each morning in the woods, beside a lake, or on a historic farm to spend the day building climate resiliency or helping neighbors access farm-fresh food. Conservation Crews serve in State Parks, National Forests, and other conserved lands across the state. Food & Farm Crews serve on VYCC’s 12-acre organic farm in beautiful Richmond, VT.

Seasonal Job Overview

What's it like to join a Crew at the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps? Take a sneak peek!

Take action. Build community. Work and learn together with the land.
Whether you’re looking to jump start a career in natural resources, improve conserved lands, grow as an individual, or simply get outside, there is a position for you at VYCC. Crews complete meaningful agriculture and conservation projects that both steward Vermont’s natural beauty and support fellow Vermonters. Get your hands dirty as you exceed your own expectations of what you can achieve. Be challenged, make a real difference, and have fun along the way. VYCC will support you in building skills and completing projects. Training is paid.

Helpful Resource Links
Whether planting crops on the farm, building stairways within the Vermont trail system, or improving water drainage throughout the state, individuals come to VYCC to make a difference.

• Choosing the right program
• View featured projects over the years
• Learn more about Campus & Camping Life

Take action today and get one step closer to joining a 2025 VYCC crew. Complete this sign-up form and VYCC will email you when new positions are added to their site.

VYCC Leadership Opportunities

Leadership Positions
Crew Leader positions begin in March, May and August

Embark on a great outdoor adventure as a VYCC Crew Leader!
Leaders are the mentors, guides, and teachers that help Crew Members accomplish their goals. They hold the big picture: the crew, the project, their individual crew members — and bring it all together to lead their crew to success. These positions are open to people ages 20+.

Amidst inspiring landscapes, you’ll mentor young people in conservation efforts, fostering teamwork and environmental stewardship. From our farm fields in the Lake Champlain Valley to lush forests in the heart of the Northeast Kingdom, Vermont’s natural beauty sets the stage for an enriching experience where you’ll explore diverse ecosystems while making a positive impact. Join VYCC in this opportunity to lead, learn, and forge lasting connections in the Green Mountain State.

The season begins with extensive, staff-led training in order to acquire the technical and interpersonal skills necessary to be a successful leader. After training, you and your team will embark on an outdoor adventure for the rest of the season.

I’m glad for this chance to learn how to develop not just myself, but an entire group of young leaders. I’ve acquired skills from simple things — organizing weekend activities, dividing chores, creating a meal plan. Every day Members grow and change, and I make sure to keep up with them the entire way. —Thomas, Crew Leader

The Food and Farm Program empowers youth to unite with their community to address the complex issues of hunger, nutrition, food access, sustainable agriculture, and responsible land use.

Member Positions
Crew Member positions begin in May, June or August

Members are the reason so many impactful projects get done. They show up ready to learn, serve, and be a part of their crew community. There are Member positions for people with many different skill levels. Whether this is your first job or you are bringing skills and experiences, there is a place for you on a crew. These positions are open to people ages 15+.

VYCC crews are designed for Members' growth. Those new to conservation and farming can find a supportive introductory crew. Applicants with prior experience have the option to specialize in water quality, forest health, sustainable trails, backcountry construction, or production farming. The VYCC team will work with you to find the best fit.

VYCC has really helped me get more skills to do work for the state parks and eventually get back to Cali to do conservation work and start my own business. —Hector, AmeriCorps Member

Program Overview

Why I chose this job: conservation work in the woods.

What to Expect
Whether planting crops on the farm, building stairways within the Vermont trail system, or improving water drainage throughout the state, individuals come to VYCC to make a difference.

Crew Leaders (20+ years old) and Crew Members (mostly 15-26 years old) come together for a paid service experience full of connection, hard work, and skill building. Crews work, live, and learn together to complete high priority and meaningful conservation projects such as trail maintenance, carpentry, land management, forestry, and watershed restoration. Farm crews work on the farm at VYCC growing produce that goes to the Health Care Share. These experiences connect crews to the land, community, and one another.

On their first day, Members and Leaders arrive on VYCC’s 400-acre campus to get familiar with staff and meet crew mates. After training and orientation on campus, crews get to work on projects. For Conservation Crews, this could be anywhere in Vermont! The crew’s trailer and van will have all the tools and gear you need. Meanwhile, Food & Farm crews get their hands in the soil on VYCC’s campus.

What's it like to return to VYCC for multiple seasons? Hear what these returning Leaders had to say.

Take Skills & Credentials With You
Whether you arrive at VYCC with zero work experience, or you come with skills and feel ready to lead — VYCC has a position for you. VYCC programs are designed for Members to come back for multiple seasons. Build skills toward careers, accumulate AmeriCorps Education awards and college credits, and earn industry-recognized credentials.

• See what skills you can gain!
• Read about how VYCC supports alumni after their VYCC experience.

At the end of the season there will be lots to be proud of: the bridge you built, the skills you gained, the crops you harvested, and the community you’ve been a part of. Join VYCC if this sounds like the right adventure for you!

As I anticipated, the work was hard. We carried wet lumber up a mountain. We crushed and moved so many heavy rocks. However, I got stronger and stronger, and I was so proud to see what my body was capable of. With the help of my community around me, I had begun to thrive in an environment that was once scary and intimidating. The Corps experience had pushed me out of my comfort zone, and I was able to expand into a stronger version of myself. —Bex (they/them) Conservation Member and Food & Farm Leader

Crews work, live, and learn together to complete high priority and meaningful conservation projects that connects us all to the land, community, and one another.

Affinity Space @ VYCC
Corps Members have opportunities to work alongside others who share some aspect of their identity. In the past, options have included Affinity Crews or Spaces for women, queer folks, and BIPOC individuals. If you are curious about what affinity opportunities might exist for your time with VYCC, just ask during your interview.

The work in the fields is very tedious. You are doing the same thing over and over again for a long time. But you are in a group of people that you come to enjoy: it becomes fun and easy to do. —Kathir (he/him) Food & Farm Member

Compensation & Perks

Crews work, live, and learn together to complete high priority and meaningful conservation projects that connects us all to the land, community, and one another.

VYCC offers paid positions that come with many other benefits. Compensation ranges from a bi-weekly stipend of $962–$1,500 and potential eligibility for an AmeriCorps education award.

Depending on the position, additional benefits include:
• CPR certification, Wilderness First Aid training, Game of Logging
• On the job learning opportunities to expand technical skill knowledge through the season
• Career pathways support provided by VYCC's Community Engagement Manager
• Access to our robust Alumni network for future adventures and career assistance
• Eligible for AmeriCorps Segal Education award upon successful completion of service (service terms vary by member)
• Eligible for student loan forbearance
• Potential to earn up to 12 free college credits

For more specifics about compensation and benefits, refer to VYCC’s available positions.

I did VYCC because I knew it would open up opportunities in the future, I got to work outside, and work with an organization trying to make a difference. —Jack, Crew Member & Leader

Your First Move & Connections

Why I chose this job: farming with purpose in Vermont.

If you are ready to dig in, with a spirit of curiosity and courage, then VYCC is the place for you. Explore the VYCC website to learn more about available positions. After you’ve decided which position(s) you’d like to apply for, complete the appropriate online application. A VYCC staff member will reach out to you within 2-3 days after you submit your application. Positions are filled on a rolling basis and preference is given to early applicants.

The most important things for prospective applicants to know is that all positions are paid, there are spots for those with experience and people new to the field, applying is easy, and you’ll make a huge impact!

Bo Malcolm (he/him)
Community Engagement Manager
Vermont Youth Conservation Corps
1949 East Main St.
Richmond, VT 05477
(802) 434-3969, ext 131
bo.malcolm@vycc.org
VYCC.org

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