Santa Maria Center
Corpsmembers at the Santa Maria Center complete project work across Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.
Santa Maria Corpsmember Marci Jones smiles during a habitat restoration project near Lompoc, CA.
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Santa Maria Center
1619 South Thornburg Street
Santa Maria, CA 93458
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Train With Us
Get paid to train! The skills and lessons you learn at the Santa Maria 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, 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
Habitat Restoration
Santa Maria 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
Picture Yourself Here
Place yourself in these Corpsmember’s boots and envision life at the Santa Maria Center.
Know Before You Go
Weather
Santa Maria Corpsmembers often camp closer to project sites, called spikes, in wilderness areas or when projects take place outside of a reasonable commute.
Lodging
Corpsmembers must have reliable transportation to center. Transit stops are located conveniently within a short walking distance of the center.
Activities
Join Santa Maria’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.
“When I first joined the CCC I always had two goals in mind; to grow as a person and to become a marine biologist. The CCC showed me what I could do with the right persistence and mindset. It also showed me when the going gets tough you got to be tougher.”
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
When assigned to a spike or emergency, can I park my personal vehicle at the center?
The center highly encourages that Corpsmembers are dropped off or take public transit when assigned to emergencies or spikes. There are a limited number of parking spots available at the center. Corpsmembers assume all risk for theft and break-ins if leaving a vehicle at the center.
Will the Santa Maria Center help me get my driver 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.
Are there computers I can use at the center?
The center has four desktop and three laptop computers available for Corpsmember use. Approved uses include resume construction, job searching, and completion of online courses. Staff must be present for use of computers. Computers are available during business hours only.
Does the center of a gym I can use?
There are no gym facilities or equipment available at the Santa Maria Center.
Does the center offer counseling services?
Yes, Santa Maria Corpsmembers may be able to utilize the Los Padres District’s counselor via video conferencing.
What are some of the volunteer opportunities I may participate in?
There are a variety of independent and group volunteer opportunities provided on a monthly basis. To name a few, we support the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County and participate in many local events.
Read Center News
For the first time in nearly 80 years, a creek in Santa Barbara County now flows clearly toward the ocean, which should allow native species to flourish where a small dam once stood.
