Work that Builds More than Parks
Every summer, Youth Employment in Parks (YEP) gives Anchorage teens the opportunity to earn a paycheck while making a lasting difference in their community. As they restore habitats, improve trails, plant trees, and care for Anchorage’s parks, young people gain far more than work experience, they build confidence, leadership skills, and a deeper connection to the outdoors.
For many participants, YEP is their first job. Working alongside professional mentors and peers from across Anchorage, they develop the workplace skills, responsibility, and resilience that prepare them for success in school, careers, and life.
“Before YEP, I was a lot less confident in myself. Over the season I learned I am a lot stronger than I think I am. I can give myself that credit and be more confident in myself on the jobsite and in life.” — Senior Crew Member
More than a Summer Job
Youth Employment in Parks is one of Anchorage’s longest-running youth conservation corps programs. Since 2007, hundreds of teens have gained paid work experience while improving parks, trails, streams, and natural areas across the Municipality of Anchorage. YEP helps young people build confidence, develop career skills, and discover future pathways in conservation, natural resource management, and public service, all while creating healthier parks and stronger communities.
YEP combines meaningful conservation work with career skills that help teens grow personally and professionally.
Participants develop:
- Leadership and teamwork
- Communication and problem-solving
- Time management and responsibility
- Environmental stewardship
- Career exploration and workplace readiness
- Financial literacy, resume writing, and first aid training
Weekly education and recreation days extend learning beyond the job site through workshops, guest speakers, and outdoor adventures that inspire future careers and lifelong connections to nature.
Building a Better Anchorage
Each summer, YEP crews improve parks and trails throughout the Municipality of Anchorage, creating lasting benefits for people, wildlife, and future generations. From rehabilitating trails and restoring streambanks to planting native trees, improving park amenities, and removing invasive species, every project strengthens the health and accessibility of Anchorage’s public lands. Crew members see firsthand how their hard work transforms the places where people hike, play, gather, and connect with nature. In the process, they leave behind a legacy that will benefit the community for years to come.
Who Can Apply?
Youth Employment in Parks is open to teens who:
- Are residents of the Municipality of Anchorage
- Are 16–19 years old at the start of the program
- Enjoy working outdoors as part of a team
- Want to gain valuable job experience while making a positive impact in their community
No previous work experience is required. For many participants, YEP is their first job, providing a supportive environment to build confidence, develop workplace skills, and explore future career opportunities.
Apply or Learn More
Applications open each spring.
Whether you’re looking for your first job, interested in environmental conservation, or want to make a difference in your community, YEP offers a summer of meaningful work, personal growth, and outdoor adventure.
Investing in Parks. Investing in Youth.
Youth Employment in Parks is made possible through the partnership between Anchorage Parks & Recreation, Anchorage Park Foundation, and the generous support of foundations, businesses, public agencies, and community members who believe in Anchorage’s young people and public lands.
Every trail improved, every tree planted, and every stream restored represents something even greater—a young person discovering new skills, new confidence, and new possibilities for their future.
