Students invited to join youth conservation corps

Middlesex County youth interested in working to improve and preserve area parks this fall may apply now for positions with the Middlesex County Youth Conservation Corps.

The corps uses youth employment to work on the more than 6,000 acres of open space owned and maintained by the county. Its mission is "to protect and preserve natural areas from misuse, polluters and the forces of nature." High school and college students age 16 and above are encouraged to apply.

Conservation Corps crew members earn $8.50 per hour and will work on Saturdays from Sept. 22 to Nov. 10. Work will take place primarily at the 1,700-acre John A. Phillips Preserve in Old Bridge and the 825-acre Thompson Park extension in Monroe, although additional projects are planned at other county open-space sites.

Fall activities will include trail building, reforestation projects, litter cleanup 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.

Additional qualifications include the capacity to walk several miles and stand for extended periods of time, a 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 08903. Applications may be downloaded at www.co.middlesex.nj.us/personnel/index.asp and must be received by Aug. 10.

A complete job description will 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.