Hiring is now open for the 2025 West Kootenay Youth Climate Corps season.

Season: April 22 to May 5 start. End: Aug 22 (with potential to extend)
Location: Nelson-based, with projects ranging across the West and East Kootenay
Wages: $21.82 per hour (with an additional 4% vacation pay) + certifications and training

Apply now

As climate change places increasing pressure on our global, regional and local ecosystems and communities, the need to respond with meaningful action could not be more pressing. Harnessing the energy and ambition of young adults, Wildsight’s Youth Climate Corps empowers you to inspire and implement solutions to the climate crisis through employment, training and leadership development.

Past seasons of the West Kootenay Youth Climate Corps have included community engagement, wildfire risk reduction, local food security, energy retrofits and more. 

Certifications provided:

• OFA Level 1 (or equivalent Emergency First Aid)
• S100 / 185 (basic fire suppression and entrapment avoidance)
• Wildlife  Awareness

Training provided:

• Introduction to fire ecology
• Basic chainsaw operation and maintenance
• Introduction to local food systems
• Low-cost building retrofits
• Exposure to Indigenous perspectives on the land
• Leadership and communication skills
• Social media strategy
• Basics of soil science
• Tree identification
• Knowledge of local ecosystems and how climate change is impacting this area both presently and in the future
• Introduction to levels of government, community partners and methods for community engagement

2025 West Kootenay YCC Projects

• Creston Community Forest Wildfire Risk Reduction Program
  A wildfire risk reduction project was developed to increase local wildfire resilience. We will work with the Creston Community Forest to remove surface fuels and increase the canopy base height to reduce the continuity of fuel loads in the Creston Valley. Expect to be in Creston for May and early June during the week (accommodation will be provided).
• Invasive Species Removal and Native Plant Restoration
  Partnerships with a few local organizations to help with invasive species removal and replacing them with pollinator-friendly, native habitat
• Low-Cost Building Retrofits for Small Businesses
  In partnership with the Nelson Chamber of Commerce, the crew will offer education and hands-on demonstrations of low-cost building retrofits for local businesses to help lower their energy consumption.

In Development (pending funding and partnerships) 

• Community Engagement:  The crew will work with different organizations and local governments to help educate and connect with the community on sustainability initiatives the RDCK and City of Nelson offer to their communities
• Land stewardship projects with the various indigenous groups and nations in the West Kootenay
• Water quality training and sampling projects
• Food sovereignty project working in a food forest and food garden to help grow food for community members experiencing food insecurity 

Your role:

We are seeking 4-6 passionate, motivated and empathetic individuals, driven to take meaningful climate action in your local community. Engaging with local professionals, Wildsight staff and deeply involved community members, you will gain the knowledge, skills and training necessary to advance climate-resilient communities.

With support and direction from the West Kootenay Program Coordinator and other YCC team members, the crew will:

• Participate enthusiastically and professionally in introductory and ongoing training and learning activities (both general and project specific)
• Work collaboratively with fellow crew members and external partners to complete YCC projects at a high standard of safety and quality. Project activities are likely to include:
  • Use of chainsaws and other hand tools to implement wildfire risk reduction prescriptions
  • Demonstrating low-cost retrofit options for small businesses
  • Working in remote areas across the RDCK
  • Communicating with the general public
  • Teaching environmental education curriculum in workshop settings to diverse audiences
  • Serve as an ambassador between YCC projects and community members
  • Support the YCC team in producing and sharing communications content to tell the story of our work through multiple channels
  • Working in a learning environment
  • Invasive species removal
  • Native plant establishment and seed-saving 

Requirements:

• Valid Driver’s License
• Motivation to be part of solutions to climate change
• Passion for community building
• Willingness to engage others in climate action
• Adaptable and adventurous attitude
• Experience working independently
• Capable of working remotely (with the possibility of camping on or near the location)
• Love for the outdoors, with the ability to work in a variety of weather conditions and terrain
• Previous familiarity, education or experience with climate action or in climate-related fields is an asset but not a requirement

Applicant Eligibility:

• Be between 17–30 years of age at the start of the contract
• Be legally entitled to work in Canada

How to Apply:

Wildsight is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in our hiring processes and work environment and actively recruits for diversity within our crews. We encourage women, people of colour, people of Indigenous ancestry and 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals to apply for this position. Wildsight recognizes climate justice as essential for climate action and we actively recruit for diversity.

Please fill out our application form to apply. Email any questions to wkycc@wildsight.ca. While resumes, cover letters or other materials (such as art, videos, or information on events/initiatives that you have been involved in) are in no way mandatory, you can email these optional items to wkycc@wildsight.ca.

Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted until all positions are filled; Don’t wait to apply!

Apply here

Past project highlights