Youth Conservation Corps at the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center
Application Deadline: April 18, 2022

We at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are now hiring four youth, ages 15 through 18 years old, to serve on the Youth Conservation Corps summer crew located at the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center, part of the Fergus Falls Wetland Management District.

The 2022 Youth Conservation Corps summer work season starts June 6, 2022 and runs through July 29, 2022. Crew members are paid the federal minimum wage of $10.08/hour and work 40 hours per week for 8 weeks.  They work each day, Monday – Friday, 7:30am – 4:00pm. All participants must have a valid social security number. 

Crew members work on wildlife habitat improvement projects, maintenance projects, boundary posting, brush cutting, nest monitoring and maintenance and invasive species invasive species
An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.

Learn more about invasive species
management.  They work primarily outdoors, so exposure to weather conditions, insects, poison ivy and wildlife is expected.  Appropriate personal protective equipment is provided by the district. Crew members receive on-the-job training and educational experiences relevant to land management careers.

To apply for one of these positions, please fill out a Youth Conservation Corps application and return it to the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center, 602 State Highway 210 East, Fergus Falls, MN 56537, no later than 4:00 pm on April 18, 2022. Applications are available for pick-up at area high school career/counselor offices and at the visitor center of the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center. To receive an electronic copy, email your request with Youth Conservation Corps Application as the subject line to joanne_ryan@fws.gov

We will select crew members through a random drawing process to be conducted on April 22, 2022. 

If you have questions regarding the application or the Youth Conservation Corps program, please call Prairie Wetlands Learning Center information desk at 218-998-4480 or email prairiewet@fws.gov 

Learn more about the Fergus Falls Wetland Management District, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the principal federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The service manages the 150-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses 567 national wildlife refuges and 38 wetland management districts. It also operates 68 national fish hatcheries and 81 ecological services field stations.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service

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Habitat conservation
Wildlife
Work of the Service
Youth