Work Experience (Young Adults)

The program provides employment services for young adults, age 18 to 25, and for veterans with honorable discharge up to age 29 who are California residents. The program cannot serve people who are on probation or parolees. There are no income or geographic restrictions. 

  Services include training and work placement in public service conservation projects. Job readiness skills are also provided. The period of service is one year, but can potentially work up to three years. There is a ten-day training period; five days without pay, five days earning a stipend of $2,814 per month. The initial training covers the basics of tradition and policies; community relations; health and fitness maintenance; drug and alcohol abuse prevention; academic basic skills assessment and individual educational plans development; handling of hand tools; rules for safety at work; first aid; flood and fire mitigation measures; environmental issues and conservation; career planning and job search techniques.  

  The agency maintains 8 residential centers throughout the state, some of them having non-residential satellites. The Pomona center is non-residential. Participants work full days and attend classes at night to prepare for the GED or complete a high school diploma or to pursue educational or vocational goals. They are also involved in learning about conservation, careers, and job-seeking skills.  

  The work may involve building parks or trails, planting trees, restoring historic buildings, renovating neighborhood centers, improving wildlife habitats, fighting floods and forest fires, painting a senior center, or assisting during and after a disaster. Corps members may be assigned to either rural or urban settings. The work is hard and the conditions often uncomfortable. People who are capable of assuming leadership positions have the opportunity to do so and those who choose to continue after a year may participate in specialized programs. Young women and men do the same work and the program can accommodate many people who have disabilities. While young people who are married may apply, there are no special housing facilities for married couples. 

  Participants may work longer than 8 hour days during an emergency and may be living away from their home base for long periods of time. The rules include no alcohol or drugs; no violence; no refusal to work; no form of verbal or physical abuse or harassment; and no destruction of property. Corps members are paid a $2,814 stipend per month, less the cost of dormitory-style room and meals and a one-time fee for uniforms, free health coverage and life insurance for a fee. They are eligible for a merit increase after several months. Participants may leave the program before they have completed a year if they choose to do so. 

  Special programs include: Crews for Military veterans; Salmon Restoration Program; Cal Fire and U.S. Forest Service fire crews; Energy conservation crews; Culinary programs; Internships with state and local agencies. Individuals may also apply for exceptional opportunities, including the Backcountry Trails Program and Australian Work Exchange.