Community Forestry Corps
About the Community Forestry Corps
Corps Member Applications Open Now Until March 15th - Corps Leader Applications Opening Soon -
Corps Member Applications Open Now Until March 15th - Corps Leader Applications Opening Soon -
Launched in June 2024, the Community Forestry Corps empowers local youth to care for trees planted by our Tree Trust while acquiring knowledge about the power of nature to combat climate change, giving back to the planet and our communities, and learning about potential career pathways in urban forestry and nature-based climate solutions.
Modeled after team-based programs like the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930’s, AmeriCorps’ National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) program founded in 1994, and local programs such as the Boulder County Youth Corps and the City of Boulder Junior Rangers, the CFC corps members will gain skills related to tree care, leadership, public speaking, community organizing, and more in this summer job program hosted by the PLAY Boulder Foundation Tree Trust in partnership with Boulder County Youth Corps.
You will be joining a team of tree lovers and aspiring future environmental leaders dedicated to strengthening our communities’ resilience to climate change by caring for trees and promoting a healthy urban canopy for years to come.
Boulder County Youth Corps
In 2026, the Community Forestry Corps will be partnering with Boulder County Youth Corps (BCYC). The Boulder County Youth Corps provides opportunities for Boulder County youth and adults interested in outdoor work to develop a sense of community involvement through personal accomplishment, teamwork, and service to the county. Since 1996, participants, aged 14-17, have been completing projects for Boulder County departments, municipalities, and towns.
Corps Members benefit by learning strong work habits, new skills, and the value of environmental and civic stewardship. Both teens and adults can positively impact the Boulder County community this summer by joining the Community Forestry Corps crew, supporting the health and growth of our urban tree canopy, and contributing to community and climate resilience.
Teens must be Boulder County residents between the ages of 14-17 as of the first day of work (June 15). Assistant Team Leaders must be 18 or older; Team Leaders must be 21 or older.
Corps Members will work 30 hours per week, Monday through Thursday, from June 15 to August 5 on a variety of conservation and stewardship projects including trail construction and maintenance, historic preservation, forest thinning, construction and repair of fencing, landscaping, and removal of noxious weeds.
What do CFC Crews Do?
Work outside and connect with the natural world - Crews will spend three days a week watering and caring for urban trees in parks, at schools, and within communities, both enhancing our local environments and supporting climate action efforts.
Earn a paycheck and develop life skills - The CFC is a real job commitment with competitive wages! Develop essential skills like teamwork, leadership, punctuality, public speaking and more.
Learn about trees, climate change, and career pathways - CFC crews will have the opportunity to learn about nature-based climate action and career pathways from local professionals and experts.
Engage with racial equity and inclusion efforts - Learn about racial equity and climate justice efforts, and how they relate to our communities.
Enhance and support your community - Participate in actions that will help build community resilience to climate change and create long-term benefits for the community.
Become a nature ambassador - The CFC empowers local youth with the skills to be leaders, advocates, and stewards for the natural world in their schools and communities!
CFC Positions
Corps Members applications will be open until Sunday, March 15 at 11:59 p.m. Team Lead and Assistant Team Lead applications will be open soon!
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Must be 21 or older by June 15th, 2026
Wage:
1st year: $23.20/hr
2nd year: $23.78/hr
3rd year: $24.34/hr
Hours: (approximately 40 hr/wk)
Monday - Thursday from ~7:30am to 5pm, and Friday from ~9am to 11am.
Dates:
Training: June 1st - June 5th and June 8th - June 12th, from 8am to 4:30pm.
Season: Monday, June 15th through Friday, August 7th.
Holidays: Thursday June 18th, Thursday July 2nd, and Friday July 3rd.
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Must be 18 or older by June 15th, 2026
Wage:
1st year: $20.89/hr
2nd year: $21.40/hr
3rd year: $21.94/hr
Hours: (approximately 40 hr/wk)
Monday - Thursday from ~7:30am to 5pm, and Friday from ~9am to 11am.
Dates:
Training: June 1st - June 5th and June 8th - June 12th, from 8am to 4:30pm.
Season: Monday, June 15th through Friday, August 7th.
Holidays: Thursday June 18th, Thursday July 2nd, and Friday July 3rd.
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Must be aged 14-17 by June 15th, 2026 and live within Boulder County
Wage:
1st year: $16.54/hr
2nd year: $16.96/hr
3rd year: $17.38/hr
Hours: (30 hr/wk)
Monday - Thursday from 8am to 4pm, with 30 minutes unpaid lunch.
Dates:
BCYC Orientation: Monday, June 15th
Season: Monday, June 15th through Wednesday, August 5th.
Holidays: Thursday, June 18th and Thursday, July 2nd.
Important CFC Details
The 2026 Community Forestry Corps will be partnering with Boulder County Youth Corps, but will have specific responsibilities centered around urban forestry and nature-based climate action.
2026 CFC crew work will be centered in the City of Boulder and the Cities of Louisville and Lafayette.
CFC Corps Member applications will be open from Monday, February 2nd through Sunday, March 15th.
CFC Team Leader and Assistant Team Leader applications will be open soon!
How to Apply
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Step 1. Reference Letter:
If you have never worked for the Youth Corps before, you will be required to submit two letters of reference from an adult who knows you who is not a family or household member.
Ask a teacher, counselor, coach, clergy member, youth group leader, neighbor, family friend, etc. PLAN AHEAD! Do not wait until the last minute to ask someone to write a letter, and please be mindful of the deadline.
If you have worked for the Youth Corps before you only need to submit one written letter of recommendation or two references from people not affiliated with the Youth Corps. If you are applying for the same position as you held last summer, you do not need to submit either.
If you did not include a reference letter when you submitted your application, you can email it to lblanco-bertolo@bouldercounty.gov.
Step 2. Complete Your Application
Step 3. Monitor Your Email, then Schedule Your Interview
After you submit your application, you will be contacted to schedule an interview time.
Be sure to check your spam inbox as well, just in case!
Step 4. Prepare, then Attend Your Interview
Applicants who have never worked for us before will need to attend an in-person interview in April.
Returning Corps Members will be given a brief phone interview in early April.
Step 5. Selection
First-year Corps Members will be chosen based on their application, letter of reference, interview, availability, applicable experience, willingness to follow rules, and interest in being part of a team.
Returning Corpsmembers who are eligible for rehire and submit an application by the deadline will receive preference in the hiring process.
Step 6. Background Check
A job offer is contingent on passing a criminal background investigation.
-
Step 1. Reference Letter:
If you have never worked for the Youth Corps before, you will be required to submit one letter of reference from an adult who knows you who is not a family or household member.
Ask a teacher, counselor, coach, clergy member, youth group leader, neighbor, family friend, etc. PLAN AHEAD! Do not wait until the last minute to ask someone to write a letter, and please be mindful of the deadline.
If you did not include a reference letter when you submitted your application, you can email it to lblanco-bertolo@bouldercounty.gov.
Step 2. Complete Your Application
Step 3. Monitor Your Email, then Schedule Your Interview
After you submit your application, you will be contacted to schedule an interview time.
Be sure to check your spam inbox as well, just in case!
Step 4. Prepare, then Attend Your Interview
Applicants who have never worked for us before will need to attend an in-person interview in April.
Returning Corps Members will be given a brief phone interview in early April.
Step 5. Selection
First-year Corps Members will be chosen based on their application, letter of reference, interview, availability, applicable experience, willingness to follow rules, and interest in being part of a team.
Returning Corps Members who are eligible for rehire and submit an application by the deadline will receive preference in the hiring process
Have questions about the application or hiring process?
For CFC specific questions, email Daniel at daniel@playboulder.org
For BCYC or general application questions, email Luiz at lblanco-bertolo@bouldercounty.gov