Mingo Wildlife Refuge seeking teens for summer workers

PUXICO, Mo. -- Mingo National Wildlife Refuge will sponsor a Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) employment program for the summer of 2015. This is a long standing educational work program at the refuge, spanning 30+ years.

The eight-week educational work program, scheduled from June 1 to July 24, 2015, is for young men and women, 15 (before or on 1st day of work) through 18 years of age (cannot reach 19 during duration of program).

The purpose of the YCC program is to further the development and maintenance of the natural resources of the United States while providing gainful employment for America's youth. The YCC crew will perform general maintenance (grass mowing, trash pickup, basic carpentry, painting, etc.) and some biological work. The experience will also include environmental education opportunities. Participants will do hard physical work outdoors and may be exposed to insects, poison ivy, adverse weather, and difficult working conditions.

Enrollee's pay will be Missouri's minimum wage rate which is presently $7.65 per hour. Work will consist of 40 hours a week, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Applications must be received or postmarked no later than 4:00 p.m. Friday, April 3, 2015 at refuge headquarters in Puxico. Four applicants will be selected for employment in a random drawing held on Wednesday, April 8, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at refuge headquarters. Selected applicants will need to have their own bank account before reporting to work and show their Social Security card.

Mingo National Wildlife Refuge is located at 24279 State Highway 51, Puxico, Missouri.

Anyone with questions or in need of an application can stop by the office, or call the refuge office at 573-222-3589, or the application can be found on Mingo NWR's website under Jobs at: http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Mingo/what_we_do/jobs.html.

The refuge will also be hosting a Third Thursday Informational Meeting on the topic of the YCC Program for March 19, 2015, at 6 p.m at the Mingo Visitor Center. Refuge staff will discuss the history of the YCC program on the refuge and will look ahead to the 2015 season. Staff will also be present to answer any questions regarding the application process and will even take applications after the presentation. Interested applicants are not required to attend this Third Thursday Meeting.