Sater: State Parks Youth Corps Job Fair at Roaring River State Park

JEFFERSON CITY, MO., FEB. 25, 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 1 at Roaring River State Park near Cassville.

The job fair will be held from 6 a.m. to noon at the park store. Staff from Roaring River State Park will be available at the job fair 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.

Roaring River State Park is located seven miles south of Cassville on Highway 112. For information about the job fair at Roaring River State, call the park at 417-847-2539. For information about Missouri state parks and historic sites, go to mostateparks.com.