State Parks Youth Corps job fair March 12 at Prairie State Park, March 16 at Stockton

Wednesday, March 9, 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 March 12 at Prairie State Park near Mindenmines.

The job fair will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. at the park's nature center. Staff from Prairie State Park will be available to answer questions about the program and what opportunities are available for this year.

A similar job fair also will be held March 16 at Stockton State Park near Stockton, 3 to 6 p.m., at the park office. At the job fair, staff from Stockton State Park 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.

Prairie State Park

In 2010, State Parks Youth Corps members at Prairie State Park assisted with painting several buildings, signs and bison corral; put out trail markers, cut and installed reflectors on fences to help prairie chickens, cut trees, mowing and trimming, putting in a native wildflower garden at the nature center, improving trail crossings, spraying exotic species, put new flooring in the shop, greeting visitors in the nature center, and presenting interpretive programs. In 2011, job duties may include spraying exotic species, mowing and weeding, roofing, putting in a couple of trail bridges, trail maintenance, fence repair, cutting trees and painting,.

Prairie State Park is located 14 miles west of Lamar on Highway 160, then one mile north on highway NN, and three miles west on Central Road. For information about the job fair at Prairie State Park, call the park at (417) 843-6711.

Stockton State Park

In 2010, State Parks Youth Corps members at Stockton State Park assisted with painting of the shop and shower house, construction of the Umber Ridge Trail, clerical assistance, clean up of storm debris, replacing picnic table boards and helping on roofing projects. In 2011, job duties may include exterior and interior painting of park buildings, cabins and duplexes; planting trees in the campground; brush clearing; trail and general maintenance; cleaning of facilities; presentation of interpretive programs and inventory of the park's plants and animals.

Stockton State Park is located ten miles southeast of Stockton on Highway 215.

For information about the job fair at Stockton State Park, call the park at (417) 276-4259.

For information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com.

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