Know a teen needing a summer job? WA state is taking applications now

Tri-Cities area teens looking for their first summer job can apply now for Washington state Department of Ecology’s litter cleanup program.

The jobs, which are reserved for those ages 14 to 17, pay $14.49 an hour.

There will be plenty of litter to pick up this year after COVID-19 restrictions caused the program to be canceled earlier in the pandemic.

This summer the Ecology Youth Corps program plans to hire 40 teens for crews based in Richland, Sunnyside, Ellensburg, Toppenish and Yakima.

Crews will work 32 hours a week Monday through Thursday from either June 27-July 21 or July 25-Aug. 17.

Applications are due by April 1 and are available through school counselors and the Washington Department of Ecology website.

“Not only will teens get important work experience and a paycheck they will be helping beautify our roadways and lessening the impact of garbage on the environment,” said Rod Hankinson, the Department of Ecology regional crew manager.