State Parks Youth Corps job fair May 14 at Watkins Woolen Mill State Park and State Historic Site

JEFFERSON CITY, MO., MAY 4, 2011 -- Young Missourians have an opportunity for a summer job while learning new skills and discovering Missouri state parks and historic sites. Information about this year’s State Parks Youth Corps will be provided at a job fair Saturday, May 14 at Watkins Woolen Mill State Park and State Historic Site near Lawson.

The job fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the visitor center and museum. Staff will be available to answer questions about the program and what opportunities are available for this year.

            The State Parks Youth Corps will provide jobs for youth 17-21 years of age from April 1 through Nov. 30.  Youth will earn $7.25 an hour and work throughout the state, enhancing and improving Missouri state parks and historic sites. The program also will provide them with work experience and an opportunity to learn new skills and possible careers in natural resources.

Youth corps members will perform a variety of tasks from routine maintenance work and trail construction to guided tours and social media efforts. Examples include painting buildings and repairing roofs and windows; planting trees and maintaining landscapes; building and maintaining trails; inventorying historic artifacts and native species; assisting in offices and visitor centers; and providing tours and programs.

First initiated by Gov. Nixon in 2010, the State Parks Youth Corps is a partnership between the Missouri Division of Workforce Development, the Missouri Division of State Parks, and Missouri’s local Workforce Investment Boards. The local boards help recruit and place individual youth in work positions at the parks. Park staffs provide guidance and leadership to the youth workers throughout the summer.

This year’s program is funded by Workforce Investment Act 15 percent funds and youth must meet Workforce Investment Act guidelines, which include low income or other eligibility requirements. Income guidelines vary from an income of $10,890 for a family of one to $37,630 for a family of eight or receiving public assistance or food stamps. Other eligibility requirements include areas such as qualifying as homeless; or being a foster child, school dropout or being deficient in basic literary skills.     

Applications and additional program information, including eligibility guidelines, are available at MO.gov. Interested applicants are encouraged to visit with the local Workforce Investment Boards about eligibility guidelines.  

In 2010, State Parks Youth Corps members at Watkins Woolen Mill State Park and State Historic Site assisted with grounds maintenance, repaired buildings, conducted tours and operated the reception desk at the visitor center. In 2011, job duties may include grounds maintenance, caring for the heirloom garden, painting buildings, conducting tours of the woolen mill and the Watkins family home, and participating in the Living History Farm Program. For information about the job fair, call the park at 816-580-3387. For information on Missouri state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com.