35 summer jobs open for youth, young adults

Thirty-five summer jobs for teens and young adults will be available in Bonners Ferry through two programs.

The first program will fund 26 positions at $7.25 an hour. The program is offered through the Idaho Department of Labor in Bonners Ferry and needs non-profit organizations and government agencies to provide jobs to those 16 to 24 years old.

Financed through the Workforce Investment and American Recovery and Reinvestment acts, the program will match low-income Idahoans with these non-profits and government agencies for jobs lasting five to eight weeks beginning in May.

“This is a one summer thing,” said Summer MacDonald with the Idaho Department of Labor. “We have the ability to put kids to work. If they’re out of school, they can start as early as mid May.”

The program is funded by federal stimulus money.

“What’s really great about it is how we will work with the kids,” MacDonald said. “Before they go to work, we will talk to them, let them know what they need to know to be successful on the job.”

Participants also will learn job ethics and learn to write resumes.

The deadline to apply is May 29.

“But no one should wait that long,” MacDonald said.

To apply, go to the Department of Labor office, which shares a parking lot with the Badger’s Den on South Main Street, Bonners Ferry. Applications also are available at www.labor.idaho.gov.

Another nine positions will be available with the U.S. Forest Service through its YCC program for those 15 to 18 years old. Jobs pay the minimum wage of $6.55 an hour, but will increase to $7.25 hour in July.

YCC workers help build and maintain trails, paint picnic tables and benches, and clean campgrounds.

For information on either program, call MacDonald at 267-5581, Ext. 3828.