NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ—Middlesex County Youth Conservation Corps is accepting applications until August 18 from individuals ages 16 and up.

The Conservation Corps is recruiting young people to work Saturdays during the fall, from September 30 through November 18. Crew members will earn $10.00 per hour.

The group works to protect and preserve over 8,000 acres of open space owned and maintained by Middlesex County – primarily in Old Bridge, Monroe Township, and South Brunswick.

According to the Middlesex County website, training is provided, and corps members will largely focus on three main areas of work:

  • Trash/Dumping clean-up, debris, brush removal
  • Existing trail maintenance and new trail construction
  • Habitat restoration, which includes pulling invasive species and reforestation.

Applicants must have the capacity to walk several miles and stand for extended periods of time, a willingness to get dirty and work outdoors in various weather conditions, and the ability to use various hand tools. 

“Maintaining and preserving our open spaces and trails is a challenging task, and our Youth Conservation Corps has continued to rise to that challenge,” said Freeholder Charles Kenny, chair of the County’s Infrastructure Management Committee.

The Middlesex County website describes the origin of the project:

In 2006, the late Middlesex County Freeholder Director, David B. Crabiel, announced the formation of the Middlesex County Conservation Corps to “to protect and preserve our natural areas from misuse, polluters and the forces of nature.” Since the inception of the Open Space and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund in 1995, Middlesex County has preserved over 7,500 acres of open space throughout Middlesex County.

Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as space is limited and applications for the Fall 2017 season will only be accepted until August 18.

Interested applicants should send a cover letter and application for employment to: Griffith Boyd, Middlesex County Office of Parks and Recreation, PO Box 661, New Brunswick, NJ 08903

A full job description and a link to a downloadable application can be found at the Middlesex County website

For more information, visit the county’s website or call Griffith Boyd at 732-745-3064.

Reporter at New Brunswick Today | bclapp@nb.today