Los Padres Center
Watch the Los Padres Center Video Tour!
Corpsmembers at the Los Padres Center complete projects across the Central Coast and California.
A Los Padres Corpsmember prepares to swing a “double jack” to create rock crush as part of a trail rebuild project in Big Sur.
Los Padres Center
1530 Madera Avenue
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
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Train With Us
Get paid to train! The skills and lessons you learn at the Los Padres Center will create a strong foundation for you to launch a meaningful career and transform your life.
Built Environment
The California Conservation Corps partners with California State Parks, Caltrans, county and city departments, and area non-profits to enhance the built environment. CCC Corpsmembers may complete a variety of projects such as building or maintaining park facilities, installing signage, retrofitting energy systems, creating defensible space, and reducing flood risk in communities.
Built Environment
Culinary
Los Padres Center Corpsmembers train for careers in commercial kitchens, resorts, and restaurants. The culinary crew prepares and provides meals to residents at the center. Corpsmembers can earn their ServSafe Food Handler, Manager, Allergens, and Instructor/Proctor certifications while enrolled at the center. Additionally, Cuesta College culinary courses are available for Culinary Corpsmembers.
Emergency Response
Forestry
Fortuna Corpsmembers improve the health of California’s forests by planting seedlings, collecting cones and seeds, and removing invasive and/or fire-prone vegetation.
Forestry
Habitat Restoration
Trails
Veterans Fisheries
In partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Delta Center enables U.S. Military Veterans to monitor species of concern and restore habitat for endangered fish, such as salmon and steelhead. The center can host up to two Veterans Fisheries Corpsmembers at once.
Wildland Firefighting
Picture Yourself Here
Place yourself in these Corpsmember’s boots and envision life at the Los Padres Center.
Know Before You Go
Weather
Temperatures at the Los Padres Center average highs of 71 °F in the summer and lows of 44 °F in the winter.
Lodging
Food & housing costs $500 per month. Corpsmembers live in shared dorm rooms, with 2-3 people per room.
Activities
Join the center’s Corpsmember Advisory Board to organize volunteer events, plan recreation trips, and more!
Find Your Path
Work with CCC Career Navigators to chart out your path to success! We can help you leverage your training to launch meaningful careers. Don’t believe us?! Just listen to Los Padres alumni.
“The CCC prepared me for this job by preparing me for working outdoors. It built my foundation for working in State Parks and gave me knowledge, working with certain tools that I had never used before.”
Ask Us Anything
Call A Recruiter
Facility Questions
Does the center have computers I can use?
Yes, the center has 12 desktop and eight laptop computers available for Corpsmember use. Corpsmembers can use the computers for resume building, job searching, and online courses. Corpsmembers need to notify residential support staff and the lab can be opened for them. The lab is opening each evening, but closes during quiet hours.
Does the center have good phone reception?
Yes, most providers have good service at the facility. Most notably, AT&T, Verizon and Boost Mobile have excellent service. T-Mobile and Mint Mobile have poor reception, but do work.
Does the center have a gym I can use?
Yes, the Los Padres does offer a gym on campus. During initial training Corpsmembers sign an acknowledgement form that they have been taught to care and maintain equipment with proper use.
Does the center have parking for my car?
Yes. Corpsmembers are assigned parking spaces, with an overflow area. Valid Registration, insurance, and driver license is required to park a vehicle on CCC property and must be provided immediately upon arrival to campus.
Vehicles without this documentation cannot be parked on the center’s property or the adjacent National Guard property.
Corpsmembers must also complete Defensive Driving as part of the requirements to park on campus.
Does the center have all-gender dorms or rooms?
Yes, the Los Padres does offer an all gender dormitory. Requests for such housing can be made through your Recruiter or on the first day of initial training at center.
Community Living Questions
Do Corpsmembers need to sign out when they leave the center?
Yes. Corpsmembers who leave the center grounds must sign in and out. This could be for going into town for just a few hours or for a weekend away.
This is required so staff maintains an active headcount of Corpsmembers on campus at all times. It also allows staff to know how to contact Corpsmembers when there is an emergency assignment and Corpsmembers need to leave for a mission.
Can friends and family visit me at the center?
Yes, but only during off-hours and in public spaces of the center. Corpsmembers must receive prior approval to have visitors on center grounds. No visitors may visit off limits areas, such as the dormitories.
Is counseling available at the center?
Yes, the center does provide a counselor on-site. The counselor sees Corpsmembers on an appointment basis but can handle emergency walk-ins as needed.
Can the center help me get my driver's license?
Yes, the center will assist you with your drive license. There is a semi-formal class C class where Corpsmembers mentor each other. Corpsmembers are able to research driving companies and determine the best fit for them. Corpsmembers may be able to request reimbursement of the costs by writing the District Director with proof of license.
Read Center News
U.S. Military Veterans are finding new career pathways with the CCC-NOAA Veterans Corps Fisheries Program.
