Career Pathways
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The California Conservation Corps believes in creating dynamic pathways for our Corpsmembers. We do this by establishing education and training pipelines to prepare the young adults who enroll in our program for meaningful careers focused on preserving and protecting California’s natural resources.
We’re able to provide this service to Corpsmembers through our Career Pathways & Transition Coordinators, or Navigators. These staff are dedicated to meeting one-on-one with Corpsmembers to discuss their future plans and ambitions, and how their time in the CCC can best be used to accomplish their goals.
Every CCC district, which encompasses one or more centers, has a Navigator. Navigators, in addition to working directly with individual Corpsmembers, also arrange career fairs, community college visits, guest speakers, and more.
Common State Pathways
A year in the CCC can lead to many career and educational pathways for Corpsmembers. Every Corpsmembers’ future goals are different.
It’s why our Navigators meet individually with Corpsmembers multiple times to help them work on achieving their goals and find the best pathway forward.
These are some of the more common pathways to civil service jobs with the state of California.
CAL FIRE - Firefighter 1
A year in the California Conservation Corps can help you jump to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, better known as CAL FIRE.
Serving on a CCC wildland firefighting hand crew will prepare you to become a Firefighter 1, including a chance to earn the necessary certifications to easily transition to CAL FIRE.
Review Position Description & Minimum Qualifications
Visit CAL FIRE’s Firefighter 1 recruitment site
CAL FIRE - Forestry Technician
Six months in the California Conservation Corps meets the minimum requirements to become a Forestry Technician with CAL FIRE.
While six months of serving on a CCC wildland firefighting hand crew does qualify you, serving a full year in the CCC will make you more attractive candidate as these positions can be competitive.
Caltrans - Maintenance Series
Corpsmembers regularly complete project work in partnership with the Department of Transportation, or Caltrans. Project work may include fuel reduction, culvert clearing, and landscaping.
Three months experience in the California Conservation Corps qualifies you to be a Service Assistant (Maintenance) with Caltrans. This is the entry-level position into the Caltrans Maintenance Series. The longer you serve in the CCC, the more you will qualify for additional positions in the series.
Review Service Assistant (Maintenance) Position Description & Minimum Qualifications
Review Caltrans Maintenance Series Position Description & Minimum Qualifications
Caltrans - Building Maintenance Worker
One year of service as a Corpsmember in the California Conservation Corps meets the minimum qualifications to become a Building Maintenance Worker with Caltrans.
CDFW - Fish & Wildlife Seasonal Aid
The experience gained while working in the California Conservation Corps fits perfectly with the California Department of Fish & Wildlife’s Seasonal Aid positions.
The position is tasked with general labor, which may include working in fish hatcheries, removing brush from facilities, collecting field data, maintaining buildings and equipment, and other duties.
CDFW - Fish & Wildlife Technician
The experience gained while serving in the California Conservation Corps aligns perfectly with the Department of Fish & Wildlife’s Technician position.
Six months of experience in natural resource fields like parks, forestry, or fish and wildlife meets the requirements. You may also qualify with a year of mechanical or construction trade work.
State Parks - Park Maintenance Positions
There are multiple classifications and career pathways for Corpsmembers to jump to California State Parks. Three months experience as a CCC Corpsmember qualifies you to become a Service Assistant (Maintenance) with State Parks.
Corpsmembers regularly leave the program to become Senior Maintenance Aides at State Parks. The requirements may be met with CCC service as a Corpsmember, as one of year of experience as a crew leader may qualify.
Review Service Assistant (Maintenance) Position Description & Minimum Qualifications
Review Park Maintenance Assistant Position Description & Minimum Qualifications
Review Senior Maintenance Aide (Seasonal) Position Description & Minimum Qualifications
Review Park Maintenance Worker 1 Position Description & Minimum Qualifications
Multiple Agencies - Cook Specialist 1
Agencies with Cook Specialist 1 positions:
- Department of Veterans Affairs
- Department of Developmental Services
- CAL FIRE
- Department of Transportation
- California Conservation Corps
Corpsmembers in the CCC Culinary Program may become eligible for a Cook Specialist 1 position. One year of experience in assisting in the cooking and preparation of a varied menu is required.
Review Cook Specialist 1 Position Description & Minimum Qualifications
Find Your Path
With the help of the CCC program and their Navigators, hundreds of Corpsmembers move on to meaningful career and educational opportunities. We believe in sharing these success stories with you, so you can see and hear from those who’ve already benefitted from a year of service with the California Conservation Corps.
Other Pathways
In the 50 year history of the California Conservation Corps, Corpsmembers have moved on to a wide variety of careers.
Corpsmembers have moved on to become lawyers, photographers, run their own businesses, as well as working for federal, state, and local governments and private companies.
Based on the training opportunities available to Corpsmembers, we’ve highlighted some of the agencies and companies where Corpsmembers have gone on to work in the last five years.
Built Environment
Energy Companies
- Solar Source Long Beach
- Vector Energy Group
- World Wind & Solar
- Vestas
- Willdan Inc.
Parks Departments
- County of San Diego Parks & Recreation
- East Bay Regional Parks District
- Riverside County Parks
Local Government Agencies
- City of Camarillo Public Works
Emergency Response
Private Environmental Companies
- HELIX Environmental Planning
- Sage Environmental Group
- IG Personnel Environmental Staffing
State Partners
- California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services
Federal Jobs
- Federal Emergency Management Agency
Habitat Restoration
State Partners
- California Tahoe Conservancy
Resource Conservation Districts
- Solano County Resource Management
- Mendocino Land Trust
- Western Shasta Resource Conservation District
- Riverside County Habitat Conservation Agency
Other Entities
- Quartz Valley Indian Reservation
- Amigos de los Rios
- Watsonville Wetlands Watch
- Great Basin Institute
Veterans Fisheries
Non-Profits
- Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission
Federal Jobs
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
- National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration
Culinary
Private Kitchens
- Restaurants
- Resorts
- Commercial kitchens
Forestry
Private Forestry Companies
- Davey Tree Service
- Mowbray’s Tree Service
- Mountain F Enterprise
- Alpine Land Services
- Sierra Pacific Industries
Utility Line Clearance Companies
- ACRT Pacific
- CN Utility Consulting
Federal Jobs
- U.S. Forest Service – Forestry Technician
Trails
Federal Jobs
- National Park Service
- U.S. Forest Service
Wildland Firefighting
Federal Jobs
- U.S. Forest Service
- Bureau of Land Management
- Bureau of Indian Affairs
Private Fire Companies
- Firestorm
- Patriot General Fire
- Greyback
City, County or Regional Fire Departments
- Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority
- Ventura County Fire Department
- Moraga-Orinda Fire District
- Nevada Division of Forestry
- Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Ask Us Anything
We know you have questions about how the CCC can prepare you for your future career or educational pathway. Here are some of the common questions we get. Have more? Give us a call or send us an email by using our Contact page.
Call A Recruiter
Do Corpsmembers earn civil service credit?
Corpsmembers are not civil service staff and, therefore, do not earn civil service credit while enrolled in the program.
However, enrollment in the CCC can benefit Corpsmembers who seek to join the ranks of California civil service.
Per California Government Code 18951.5(a), a Corpsmember who earns a one-year completion certificate from the CCC is eligible to receive three career credits added to their score for California civil service employment exams held on an open, non-promotional basis.
Eligibility for career credits pursuant to this section shall expire 24 months after leaving the California Conservation Corps. Those who earn a CCC scholarship will have eligibility for career credits for up to five years after successfully completing the program.
If I start in the CCC on one pathway am I able to change?
Yes. The goal of the CCC is to allow young adults to find meaningful work. Corpsmembers are able to change between program emphasis during their time enrolled in the program. Some programs may have pre-requisites, like time served, before moving in to another area of project work. Talk to your Navigator, Conservationist 1, and/or District Director about what is required, as requirements vary center to center.
Do I have access to the Career Navigators after I leave the CCC?
Yes. Our Career Pathways & Transition Coordinators, Navigators, regularly engage with Corpsmembers who have left the program to see what they are up to and if the CCC can help point them in a meaningful direction.
What if I don't know what I want to do?
You’ve found the perfect place to get paid to train and try out different career opportunities. Corpsmembers regularly join looking to just work outdoors and soon discover their passion for outdoor work.
We’ve had Corpsmembers enroll to join the culinary program who end up trying their hand at being a wildland firefighter. The CCC wants you to find your pathway, even if it you don’t end up working in natural resources or for the state.