Skip to Main Content

Mendocino Center

Watch crews visit the new Mendocino Center!

Corpsmembers at the Mendocino Center complete natural resource project work across Mendocino County.

Explore the Center

Corpsmembers
Maximum of 80

Phone
707-XXX-XXXX

Address
600 East Hill Road
Willits, CA 95490

The CCC Mendocino Center is a residential facility where Corpsmembers live and work. Most Corpsmembers live in the center’s dormitory buildings. Schedules vary but crews typically work four 10-hour days Monday through Thursday.

The center is located in Willits along U.S. 101, and about 25 minutes north of Ukiah. Corpsmembers complete projects throughout Mendocino County and the North Bay. Crews may also be dispatched across California, or out-of-state, on emergency assignments.

The Mendocino Center offers many training opportunities including culinary, veterans fisheries, wildland firefighting, and other natural resources work. The center regularly partners with CAL FIRE, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Department of Water Resources, as well as local conservation districts on projects.

Tribal Land Acknowledgement

The Mendocino Center is located on Northern Pomo territory. We encourage you to learn more about the original stewards of these lands. With respect, we acknowledge their lasting impact and ongoing connection to this area.

Corpsmember with a small lizard on their arm.

A Mendocino Corpsmembers gets an up close visit from nature during California Naturalist training in nearby Hopland, CA.

Mendocino Center

600 East Hill Road
Willits, CA 95490
Get Directions

Train With Us

Get paid to train! The skills and lessons you learn at the Mendocino Center will create a strong foundation for you to launch a meaningful career and transform your life.

Built Environment icon
Q

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.

Discover Built Environment

Built Environment

Culinary icon
Q

Culinary

Mendocino Center Corpsmembers train for careers in commercial kitchens, resorts, and restaurants. The culinary crew prepares and provides meals to residents at the center. 

Discover Culinary

Culinary

Emergency icon
Q

Emergency Response

All Corpsmembers respond to emergencies across California and beyond. Assignments can last up to 21 days in a row and Corpsmembers may work up to 16 hours in a day, earning excess pay. Crews support wildfire base camps, protect homes from flooding, remove debris, and more.

Discover Emergency Response

 

 

Emergency Response

Habitat restoration icon
Q

Habitat Restoration

Mendocino Corpsmembers assess habitats, remove invasive vegetation, plant native species, stabilize slopes, or implement additional modifications to enhance natural environments. Corpsmembers may complete this work in forests, rivers, streams, or other sensitive habitats.

Discover Habitat Restoration

Habitat Restoration

Trails icon
Q

Trails

Serving on natural resource crews, Corpsmembers construct and maintain trails for public recreation. Project work varies but may involve clearing brush, rebuilding trail tread, installing rip rap erosion control, constructing bridges or boardwalks, and more.

Discover Trails

Trails

Veterans Fisheries icon
Q

Veterans Fisheries

In partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Mendocino 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.

Discover Veterans Fisheries

 

Veterans Fisheries

Fire icon
Q

Wildland Firefighting

The CCC Mendocino Center operates two wildland firefighting hand crews in collaboration with the CAL FIRE Mendocino unit. Corpsmembers cut fire line, lay hose, and mop up wildland fires. They also reduce wildfire risk by removing vegetation, creating fuel breaks, and participating in prescribed burns. Crews respond to local calls and can be dispatched statewide.

Discover Wildland Firefighting

Wildland Firefighting

Picture Yourself Here

Place yourself in these Corpsmember’s boots and envision life at the Mendocino Center.

Know Before You Go

agsdix-c23739-weather

Weather

Temperatures at the Mendocino Center average highs of 81 °F in the summer and overnight lows of 36 °F in the winter.

agsdix-c23739-lodging

Lodging

Food & housing costs $500 per month. Corpsmembers live in one of seven dormitories with two or four people per room.

agsdix-c23739-generic-hard-hat

Activities

Join Mendocino’s Corpsmember Advisory Board to organize volunteer events, plan recreation trips, and build community.

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 and pursue educational opportunities. Don’t just take our word for it, check out this alum story.

“The CCC gave me the experience I needed. It’s prepared me mentally and physically. If you’re thinking of joining, sacrifice a year of your life to make a positive change in it. If you really want it, you can make it happen.” 

Damien Fernandez

Mendocino Alum | Firefighter 1, CAL FIRE

Education Program

At the Mendocino Center, Corpsmembers can finish their high school diploma, explore community college opportunities, and develop the knowledge and skills needed to be successful in the CCC and beyond.

learn more about the program

Scholarships

Corpsmembers can earn between $2,000 and $4,000 in scholarships during their first year of service with the Brad Duncan Scholarship.

Learn more about scholarships

Ask Us Anything

We know you have questions about center life. Here are some of the common one’s we get. Have more questions? Give us a call!  

Talk to A Recruiter

Facility Questions

Can I bring and park my personal vehicle at the center?

Yes, the center has dedicated space for Corpsmember parking. Corpsmembers must have a driver license, proof of insurance, and current registration to park on center.

Does the center have a gym I can use?

Yes, the center’s recreation building houses a gym for Corpsmember use.

Does the center offer all gender housing?

Yes, the center has gender-neutral rooms available within the seven dormitory buildings.

Community Living Questions

What should I bring to my residential center?

Your Recruiter will give you a packing list when you are assigned to a center. Generally, dorms are equipped with lockers having minimal closet space. It’s recommended to pack light. Once Corpsmembers have been settled into the program and into regular Corpsmember rooms with larger lockers, they can bring more items.

If I'm over 21, can I drink while living at the center?

CCC facilities are drug and alcohol free facilities. Alcoholic beverage containers are not permitted on center property or in state vehicles. Corpsmembers who are 21 years of age or older and consume alcohol are expected to do so in a responsible manner. If they are under the influence of alcohol, which is defined as having a blood alcohol content of .04 or above, Corpsmembers may not be engaged in any CCC-sponsored activities or be on state property, center facilities, or on emergency response. The exception being in their CCC-assigned personal living area or going to that area in an orderly manner. 

Are special dietary needs accommodated?

Yes. Culinary staff at our residential centers prepare a variety of meals catering to the different ethnic and cultural backgrounds of our Corpsmembers. They serve traditional, vegetarian, and vegan meals which are all well-balanced, nutritious, and delicious.

Read Center News