US Forest Service Crews

Roving 6B works in a U.S. Forest Service Campground

Each year dozens of Corps Members and Crew Leaders are given the unique opportunity to live in some of Vermont’s most pristine and beautiful environments and work on a variety of natural resource management projects with the United States Forest Service. Whether you’re managing the Moosalamoo Campground, completing a reroute along a newly designated mountain bike trail, or removing Japanese Knotweed from riparian zones along the White River, the experiences associated with working in the Green Mountain National Forest is one not easily forgotten!

The Vermont Youth Conservation Corps and the US Forest Service (USFS) have been partners for the past thirteen years, completing important projects in the Green Mountain National Forest (GMNF). The partnership between these two like-valued organizations has been highly successful, and has resulted in a program that grows each year.

Forest Service Crew Experience

VYCC Forest Service crews work together for four weeks in the rolling Green Mountains of Vermont, completing various tasks that enhance and conserve some of the state’s most cherished resources. Crews are co-ed and consist of six Corps Members and two Crew Leaders from many walks of life, all of whom come together to build strong bonds with each other and with the surrounding environment. As a team, Crew Leaders and Corps Members work directly with Forest Service trail and recreation technicians on high priority conservation projects in a variety of locations.

Past Forest Service projects include:

  • Building wood duck nesting boxes
  • Mountain bike trail construction in the Moosalamoo National Recreation Area
  • Trail maintenance on the Appalachian Trail
  • Invasive species removal in the White River Watershed
  • Interpretive programming for visitors at Hapgood Pond National Recreation Area

  • USFS Corps Members
  • Position: Corps Member
  • Position Type: Seasonal, Field-based
  • Salary: $322.40/week
  • Session 1: June 19 - July 17
  • Session 2: July 24 - August 22
  • Application Process: Complete online application. After reviewing completed applications, the VYCC will contact you for a phone interview. This process can take several weeks
  • Application Deadline: Applicants are hired on a rolling basis, beginning January 2010

Crew Education

In addition to the projects, each work day holds many opportunities for building technical skills, as well as a variety of unique educational experiences. The Forest Service is a great resource for education, over and above WoRD. From workshops on Vermont’s invasive insect and plant species identification, instructions on releasing apple trees, to project sponsors teaching wildlife habitat lessons, Forest Service crews are the perfect blend of work-based learning.

Corps Members will also have the chance to develop their leadership skills amongst their peers, rotating through the role of “Crew Leader of the Day” as they take on increased responsibility.




Camp Life

Each Forest Service crew offers a different type of camp life. Some crews may settle into designated campgrounds where they are constantly in the public eye, answering questions, and giving information on current VYCC projects in the area. Other crews are nestled deep in the heart of the Green Mountain National Forest, and might only see occasional hikers on the weekend. No matter at which location your crew is working, the experience will surely be unique to you and your crew.

While camping in these back country environments, crews will learn such skills as:

  • Tarp and kitchen set up
  • Cooking and food budgeting
  • Gear maintenance
  • Minimum impact camping
  • Visitor programming
  • Water filtration
VYCC Crew

Crew Leader Information

Each Forest Service Crew is led by two VYCC Crew Leaders who undergo thorough technical and leadership development trainings. USFS Crew Leaders will begin their positions by working on a Spring Crew. Afterwards, Crew Leaders will transition into the regular Summer Crew Leader schedule. To learn more about Crew Leading for the VYCC, visit the VYCC's Conservation Crew Leader webpage.

Spring Crew: April 29 - May 22
Summer Crew Leader Training: May 24 - June 9
Session 1: June 19 - July 17
Session 2: July 24 - August 22



For more information about our US Forest Service Corps Member and Crew Leader positons,
please contact the VYCC at info@vycc.org or 1.800.639.8922 x200.


Apply Online!