County seeks high school, college students for corps

NEW BRUNSWICK - Middlesex County teenagers interested in working to improve and preserve area parks this summer can apply now for positions with the Middlesex County Youth Conservation Corps.

The corps, which was established last year by county officials, uses youth employment to work on the more than 6,000 acres of county-owned open space. Its mission is "to protect and preserve natural areas from misuse, polluters and the forces of nature."

Conservation Corps crew members earn $8.50 per hour and will work Monday through Friday from June 25 to Aug. 17. Work will take place at several parcels, including the 1,700-acre John A. Phillips Preserve in Old Bridge and the 825-acre Thompson Park Extension in Monroe. High school and college students, age 16 and over, are encouraged to apply.

"Our Youth Conservation Corps members are an integral part of our efforts to maintain beautiful, open lands for our residents to enjoy," said Deputy Freeholder Director Stephen J. "Pete" Dalina. "We welcome dedicated students to join this unique, very worthwhile endeavor."

Summer activities include trail building, litter cleanup, brush removal and wildlife habitat improvements. Applicants should be enthusiastic, self motivated, willing to work and learn as part of a team, and should reside in Middlesex County, according to a press release issued by the county on Friday. Additional qualifications include the capacity to walk several miles and stand for extended periods of time, willingness to get dirty and work outdoors in varying weather conditions, and the ability to use a variety of hand tools.

Spaces are limited. Interested applicants should send a letter of interest and application for employment to: Rick Lear, Middlesex County Department of Parks and Recreation, P.O. Box 661, New Brunswick, NJ, 08903. Applications can be downloaded at www.co.middlesex.nj.us/personnel/index.asp and must be received by May 22.

A complete job description can be found at the Middlesex County Department of Parks and Recreation Web site, www.co.middlesex.nj.us/parksrecreation/index.asp.

Click on the Middlesex County Conservation Corps tab for a link to the Youth Conservation Corps job description.

For more information, call Rick Lear of the Middlesex County Parks and Recreation Department at (732) 745-5988.