San Diego Center
Corpsmembers at the San Diego Center work on a variety of natural resource project work across San Diego and Imperial counties.
A San Diego Corpsmember in full PPE hammers in a stake to secure a silt sock in Altadena after the Eaton Fire destroyed thousands of homes.
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San Diego Center
401 West 35th Street, Suite A
National City, CA 91950
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Train With Us
Get paid to train! The skills and lessons you learn at the San Diego Center will create a strong foundation for you to launch a meaningful career and transform your life.
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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
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.
Emergency Response
Forestry
Corpsmembers at the San Diego Center improve the health of California’s forests by planting seedlings, collecting cones and seeds, and removing invasive and/or fire-prone vegetation. Corpsmembers enrolled in the CCC complete an array of projects such as planting young trees, collecting cones and seeds, and removing invasive and/or fire-prone vegetation.
Forestry
Habitat Restoration
San Diego 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.
Habitat Restoration
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.
Trails
Wildland Firefighting
The CCC San Diego Center operates one wildland firefighting hand crew in collaboration with the CAL FIRE San Diego 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.
Wildland Firefighting
Picture Yourself Here
Place yourself in these Corpsmember’s boots and envision life at the San Diego Center.
Know Before You Go
Spikes
San Diego Corpsmembers often camp closer to project sites, called spikes, in wilderness areas or when projects take place outside of a reasonable commute.
Transportation
Corpsmembers must have reliable transportation to center. The closest public transit stop is approximately 1,200 feet from center.
Activities
Join San Diego’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.
“It’s a great experience. If you want to be anything you want to be, the CCC is a great option to advance your career. It made me think in new ways and helped discipline me to be more reliable and responsible.”
Ask Us Anything
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Will the San Diego Center help me get my driver license?
Corpsmembers who successfully obtain their Class C driver’s license may be reimbursed for the cost of their driver’s training and behind-the-wheel practice through a verified organization. Corpsmembers should speak with center staff to learn more.
When assigned to a spike or emergency, can I park my personal vehicle at the center?
We recommend that you are dropped off at the center when on an eight-day spike or emergency assignment. While street parking is available near the center, it is at an individual’s own risk.
Are there computers I can use at the center?
Yes, Corpsmembers can use laptop computers for resume construction, job searching, online courses, and general computer use. Corpsmembers must fill out a form to check out a laptop. Laptops are available for checkout during all off-duty hours and Corpsmembers may request long-term use for a specific, permitted reason, like completing an EMT course.
Does the center have a gym I can use?
The gym is open to all Corpsmembers during evening hours, and may be open during operating hours dependent on crew assignment.
When I enroll, will I immediately be able to join the Forestry Corps crew?
Possibly. The crew is open to new and current Corpsmembers. Any Corpsmembers may request assignment to the Forestry crew. If there are openings, requesting Corpsmembers may be placed on the crew. There are no prerequisites to join the crew or expectations for how long a Corpsmember serves on the crew.
When can I join the center’s fire crew?
In order to join the CAL FIRE-partnered wildland firefighting hand crew, Corpsmembers must submit an internal application to attend fire training. Once Corpsmembers attend fire training and complete all requirements to serve on the crew, the crew is filled based on seniority and staff recommendations. Those not immediately assigned to the crew will have additional opportunities for assignment as positions open up.
What are some of the volunteer opportunities I may participate in?
Corpsmembers can participate in numerous volunteer opportunities serving San Diego communities. Past events have included beach clean-ups, traffic coordination at parades, community gardening, and serving at the annual Guacamole Bowl.
Read Center News
Fresh from initial training — if even fully finishing — CCC Pomona and CCC San Diego Corpsmembers were among the dozens who supported the Eaton Fire Base Camp.
CCC Corpsmembers spent a month in Florida helping survivors of two major hurricanes.
Congratulations to the class of 2024! Several CCC Corpsmembers are now officially high school graduates.
