NOW HIRING
Good news everybody! Our next cohorts start in January, April, May, & June 2025.
Join our AmeriCorps Conservation Program and gain valuable work experience in conservation & natural resources while making a meaningful difference in your community. This is a great opportunity if you are looking to build your resume, earn professional certifications, and enjoy being in the great outdoors of Central Oregon.
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Fire Fuels Crew- Madras
Fire Fuels Crew- Madras
Position Description:
This is a 9-week term of service with the High Desert Conservation Corps (HDCC), starting January 27th, 2025 and ending on March 25th, 2025. A crew of 5 young adults and 1 Crew Leader will support fire fuels reduction projects in Madras and throughout Jefferson Co.
Age: 17-24
Term Length: 9-weeks
Pay: weekly living allowance (not an hourly wage) of $515, with a total of $4,635 (pre-tax) earned during the 9-week term
Education Award (upon successful completion): $1,565.08, which could go towards school, vocational training, or other professional development
When to Apply: Now-January 10th, 2025
Schedule: 9-Week Program (Monday-Friday) 8:00am-4:30pm
Training Provided:
- CPR/First Aid
- S212 Training & Chainsaw Certification
Other Opportunities:
- Professional development and enrichment activities
- Build your resume, cover letter, interview readiness
- Identify and work on personal goals
Qualifications/Requirements:
- Must be between the ages of 17-24
- Successfully complete state criminal background check, NSOPW check, and FBI fingerprint check (if appropriate) to AmeriCorps and HOC policies. Any individual listed on a sex offender registry, convicted of murder, or anyone who refuses to undergo a criminal history check is ineligible to serve
- Must be a United States Citizen, United States National or Lawful Permanent Resident Alien of the United States and provide document as proof
- Provide Social Security Card to verify SSN
- Birth Certificate and Photo ID
How to Apply: If you are passionate about the outdoors and want to make a difference while having fun, apply now to join our Fire Fuels Crew!
For questions or help with applying please call us at (541) 633-7834
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Conservation Crew- Bend
Conservation Crew- Bend
Position Description:
High Desert Conservation Corps is a year-round program that offers young adults ages 17-24 opportunities to serve outdoors on natural resource projects around Central Oregon. This is an AmeriCorps term of service where corps members earn professional certifications, learn technical job skills, and serve alongside state and federal agencies on projects focused on fire fuel reduction, invasive species removal, trail work, and more. This is a great opportunity for young adults that are out of school, looking for a gap year or are interested in a career in natural resources.
Age
Term Length
Pay
Education Award (upon successful completion)
When to Apply
17-24
20 Week Term
5 Days/Week$1,000 biweekly
$10,000 over full term$2,626.27
17-24
14 Week Term
5 Days/Week$1,000 biweekly
$7,000 over full term$1,824.07
17-24
23 Week Term
3 Days/Week$600 biweekly
$7,000 over full term$1,824.07
Schedule:
20 Week Program (Monday-Friday) 8:00am-4:30pm
14 Week Program (Monday-Friday) 8:00am-4:30pm
23 Week Program (3 days a week – Flexible) 8:00am-4:30pm* Summer schedule may vary to 4/10’s, 7:00am-5:30pm (3-day weekend!)
Training Provided:
- CPR/First Aid
- S212 Chainsaw Certification
- Immediately Supervised Pesticide Trainee License
- Fire School Course Certification through ODF
Other Opportunities:
- Professional Development and enrichment activities
- USA Jobs workshop offered by USFS
- Build your resume, cover letter, interview readiness
- Identify and work on personal goals
Qualifications/Requirements:
- Must be between the ages of 17-24.
- Successfully complete state criminal background check, NSOPW check, and FBI fingerprint check (if appropriate) to AmeriCorps and HOC policies. Any individual listed on a sex offender registry, convicted of murder, or anyone who refuses to undergo a criminal history check is ineligible to serve.
- Must be a United States Citizen, United States National or Lawful Permanent Resident Alien of the United States and provide document as proof.
- Provide Social Security Card to verify SSN.
- Birth Certificate and Photo ID
How to Apply: If you are passionate about the outdoors and want to make a difference while having fun, apply now to join our Conservation Crew!
For questions or help with applying please call us at (541) 633-7834
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Conservation Crew- Redmond
Conservation Crew- Redmond
Position Description:
High Desert Conservation Corps is a year-round program that offers young adults ages 17-24 opportunities to serve outdoors on natural resource projects around Central Oregon. This is an AmeriCorps term of service where corps members earn professional certifications, learn technical job skills, and serve alongside state and federal agencies on projects focused on fire fuel reduction, invasive species removal, trail work, and more. This is a great opportunity for young adults that are out of school, looking for a gap year or are interested in a career in natural resources.
Age
Term Length
Pay
Education Award (upon successful completion)
When to Apply
17-24
20 Week Term
5 Days/Week$1,000 biweekly
$10,000 over full term$2,626.27
17-24
14 Week Term
5 Days/Week$1,000 biweekly
$7,000 over full term$1,824.07
17-24
23 Week Term
3 Days/Week$600 biweekly
$7,000 over full term$1,824.07
Schedule:
20 Week Program (Monday-Friday) 8:00am-4:30pm
14 Week Program (Monday-Friday) 8:00am-4:30pm
23 Week Program (3 days a week – Flexible) 8:00am-4:30pm* Summer schedule may vary to 4/10’s, 7:00am-5:30pm (3-day weekend!)
Training Provided:
- CPR/First Aid
- S212 Chainsaw Certification
- Immediately Supervised Pesticide Trainee License
- Fire School Course Certification through ODF
Other Opportunities:
- Professional Development and enrichment activities
- USA Jobs workshop offered by USFS
- Build your resume, cover letter, interview readiness
- Identify and work on personal goals
Qualifications/Requirements:
- Must be between the ages of 17-24.
- Successfully complete state criminal background check, NSOPW check, and FBI fingerprint check (if appropriate) to AmeriCorps and HOC policies. Any individual listed on a sex offender registry, convicted of murder, or anyone who refuses to undergo a criminal history check is ineligible to serve.
- Must be a United States Citizen, United States National or Lawful Permanent Resident Alien of the United States and provide document as proof.
- Provide Social Security Card to verify SSN.
- Birth Certificate and Photo ID
How to Apply: If you are passionate about the outdoors and want to make a difference while having fun, apply now to join our Conservation Crew!
For questions or help with applying please call us at (541) 633-7834
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Conservation Crew- Prineville
Conservation Crew- Prineville
Position Description:
High Desert Conservation Corps is a year-round program that offers young adults ages 17-24 opportunities to serve outdoors on natural resource projects around Central Oregon. This is an AmeriCorps term of service where corps members earn professional certifications, learn technical job skills, and serve alongside state and federal agencies on projects focused on fire fuel reduction, invasive species removal, trail work, and more. This is a great opportunity for young adults that are out of school, looking for a gap year or are interested in a career in natural resources.
Age
Term Length
Pay
Education Award (upon successful completion)
When to Apply
17-24
20 Week Term
5 Days/Week$1,000 biweekly
$10,000 over full term$2,626.27
17-24
14 Week Term
5 Days/Week$1,000 biweekly
$7,000 over full term$1,824.07
17-24
23 Week Term
3 Days/Week$600 biweekly
$7,000 over full term$1,824.07
Schedule:
20 Week Program (Monday-Friday) 8:00am-4:30pm
14 Week Program (Monday-Friday) 8:00am-4:30pm
23 Week Program (3 days a week – Flexible) 8:00am-4:30pm* Summer schedule may vary to 4/10’s, 7:00am-5:30pm (3-day weekend!)
Training Provided:
- CPR/First Aid
- S212 Chainsaw Certification
- Immediately Supervised Pesticide Trainee License
- Fire School Course Certification through ODF
Other Opportunities:
- Professional Development and enrichment activities
- USA Jobs workshop offered by USFS
- Build your resume, cover letter, interview readiness
- Identify and work on personal goals
Qualifications/Requirements:
- Must be between the ages of 17-24.
- Successfully complete state criminal background check, NSOPW check, and FBI fingerprint check (if appropriate) to AmeriCorps and HOC policies. Any individual listed on a sex offender registry, convicted of murder, or anyone who refuses to undergo a criminal history check is ineligible to serve.
- Must be a United States Citizen, United States National or Lawful Permanent Resident Alien of the United States and provide document as proof.
- Provide Social Security Card to verify SSN.
- Birth Certificate and Photo ID
How to Apply: If you are passionate about the outdoors and want to make a difference while having fun, apply now to join our Conservation Crew!
For questions or help with applying please call us at (541) 633-7834
For those 21 and older with existing conservation field experience, we’re hiring full-time AmeriCorps Field Team Leaders!
Our High Desert Conservation Corps members improve Central Oregon while also improving their lives. Crews of 4-8 young people meet daily and work mostly outdoors on public land improvement projects. This is an AmeriCorps term of service where corps members serve on a variety of conservation work, including fire fuel reduction, trail maintenance, invasive species control, habitat restoration, and fencing. The goal of these projects is to improve public lands for both wildlife and the people who utilize them while gaining valuable hands-on skills and natural resource knowledge.
Youth are taught jobs skills focused in these areas, and work with experienced Crew Leaders and Land Stewardship Trainers. Members can gain several certifications throughout a term of service including CPR/First Aid, Specific Oregon Department of Agriculture Licenses, Chainsaw, and more!
AmeriCorps members earn a living stipend and a Segal Education Award for college or industry certifications. Afterward, Heart of Oregon Corps supports our young adults to begin a career path, post-secondary education, or both.
If you are done with high school or your GED, can commit to 3-5 days/week, and live in Jefferson, Deschutes, or Crook County, in Oregon, Heart of Oregon High Desert Conservation Corps might be for you! Fill out an online application, give us a call, or stop by our offices in Bend and Prineville.
*** Select "High Desert Conservation Corps" for the program you are applying for. When you complete your application, you will be redirected to a new page. This means your application has been received, you DO NOT need to log in. A staff member will follow up once application is received.
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To fill out a paper application, select the PDF Download link and submit to our Bend or Prineville office location.
Please note: this program is for current residents of Jefferson, Deschutes, and Crook counties, and is not a residential program!
