ESCC’s Programs
Work With Us
Working with the Eastern Sierra Conservation Corps isn’t easy. It’s a big commitment full of hard work and various challenges. But year after year, we’re proud of what people leave our programs with: a sense of community, self acceptance, feelings of empowerment, and tangible proof that they helped protect, improve, and preserve California’s beautiful wild lands.
As a participant, you’ll learn how to survive and thrive using smart decision making, good judgment, resourcefulness, self-reliance, and partnership with the rest of your corps members. You’ll find yourself in beautiful places, sharing daily living and working experiences with your team. You’ll learn about conservation, sustainability, natural history, botany, geology, archaeology, wilderness ethics, backpacking, trail stewardship, and more. If you love the mountains, want to do something out of the ordinary, and want to grow in a space that welcomes everyone, we’d love to have you.
Watch this video to find out what working with ESCC looks like: The Grit & Passion of National Park Service Trail Crews
The ESCC is committed to providing equal employment opportunities (EEO) which are free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation during recruitment, hiring, and retention of all applicants and employees, including corps members. We are happy to provide the full text of our policy if requested.
Our Work Programs
Applications are open from January - March and are reviewed on a rolling basis until all positions are filled.
WILDLands Technical Trail Crews
Level: Technical/Experienced
Our WILDLands (Wilderness Immersion Leadership and Development) Technical Crews are conservation corps alumni-based crews ages 21-30 whose members have already completed at least 16 weeks of previous corps work and want to advance in the field of land management. These 6-person crews typically rove around the state completing technical trail work projects while gaining on-the-ground, hands-on leadership and development experience and training to move up in the field. Each member has an explicit goal to facilitate youth development in their future career track.
Projects often involve dry stone masonry and specialized equipment like grip hoists, chain saws, cross-cut saws, pion jars, rock drills, etc. Off the grade, members develop their own crew leader road maps by navigating project logistics, designing curriculum plans, food menus, and member development outlines. Under the guidance of a crew supervisor, members rotate leadership on the trail and in camp and receive feedback from their peers. This program is unique in that the intention is to develop folks that can go on to become the next generation of trail bosses, crew leaders, backcountry cooks, program coordinators, managers, advocates, and more.
In 2021, ESCC hosted the first ever Queer WILDlands Technical Trail Crew.
Range Crews
Level: Introductory
The Range/SEKI-CC (Sequoia and Kings Canyon Conservation Corps) Program is an 8-12 week immersive experience where members live and work within national parks and forests. Range Crews are composed of first time trail crew members or members seeking to gain more corps experience before promoting in the field. Members gain valuable skills and on site experience with a variety of entry level trail tasks.
In 2017, ESCC provided a women’s specific crew, the first ever all female crew to work within Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park. Meet the SEKI-CC.
Crew Leads
Level: Technical/Experienced
Crew Supervisor or Assistant Crew Lead positions support all ESCC seasonal programs through administrative duties, logistical assistance, member and staff support, and partner communications. Those in leadership roles will guide, support, and assist a crew of 5-12 members, ages 18-30, on our Range Crews, including SEKI-CC, or our WILDLands technical trail crews. Leaders are responsible for modeling and ensuring work performance, safety, and crew well-being. They will work with ESCC staff to implement operating policies as outlined in the crew member handbook and all other necessary operational policies and procedures.
Packer Internship
Level: Introductory
We have a unique partnership with the Backcountry Horsemen of CA and the Inyo National Forest. Eastern Sierra Conservation Corps employs a seasonal packer internship for a member to work directly with Michael Morse and Lee Roeser to plan, prepare, and re-supply corps crews working throughout the Inyo National Forest.
Our Backpacking Programs
Backpacking trips take place in the summer. Participant applications are open in March/April and are reviewed on a rolling basis until all slots are filled. Trip leader positions are open from January/February and are reviewed on a rolling basis until positions are filled.
. . . In The Wilderness
Level: Introductory
ESCC facilitates multiple . . . In the Wilderness trips each season in coordination with the CCC Foundation. Each of these backpacking adventures are affinity spaces for groups that have been traditionally excluded from the outdoor recreation and land management spaces. We have run multiple successful Women in Wilderness (WiW) trips and are now simultaneously running Queers in the Wilderness (QiW) trips. These are opportunities for youth and young adults who have never experienced a multiple overnight hike to experience their public lands fully supported and alongside experienced guides.
These 8-day, 40-mile backpacking trips are provided free of cost to participants thanks to the support of foundations and grants.
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