Program Overview:
The Junior Field Rangers (JFR) program is a unique, paid summer opportunity for high school students in the Northeast San Fernando Valley. If you love the outdoors and want to build a career in conservation, this program offers hands-on experience in land stewardship, wildlife identification, and environmental data collection.
As a Junior Field Ranger, you won't just learn about the environment—you will actively contribute to the health and beauty of our local ecosystems while getting paid for your hard work.
Key Program Features:
- Paid Opportunity: Earn while you learn with a total of 70 possible working hours.
- CalNat Certification: Upon successful completion, participants will earn a California Naturalist Certification from the University of California.
- College Credit: Graduates are eligible for four (4) units of transferable college credit through UC Davis Extension (General Education undergraduate units).
Logistics and Eligibility:
- Eligibility: Current high school students in the Northeast San Fernando Valley with a 2.0 GPA or higher.
- Duration: Six (6) weeks during the summer.
- Weekly Format: The program includes one indoor instruction session per week at headquarters, alongside outdoor fieldwork days.
- Requirements: Participants must provide a valid work permit from their high school upon selection.
- Note: Returning participants are not eligible to apply.
Program Schedule:
- Dates and times are subject to change but will be communicated in advance
Weeks 2 - 4: All participants are required to attend one (1) in-person classroom instruction day and one (1) field day each week. In-person instruction will take place on Thursdays, and each participant will be assigned a field day for either Friday or Saturday. Participants are expected to consistently attend their assigned schedule throughout the program.
Expectations & Responsibilities:
This is a physically active role that requires a positive attitude and a commitment to teamwork.
- Outdoor Fieldwork: Be prepared to walk and hike on uneven terrain for several hours in outdoor conditions (sun, heat, and nature).
- Work Ethic: Conduct park visitor interviews, perform trash assessment surveys, and provide daily fieldwork reports.
- Attendance: This program requires a strict time commitment. Attendance at all shifts and mandatory events—including Parent Orientation and Onboarding—is required.
Questions? Contact Us:
Email: jfr@pacoimabeautiful.org
Phone: 818-899-2454
Junior Field Ranger applications open March 30
Applications for Junior Field Rangers are now closed! Applications will open March 30th, 2026! Follow us on Instagram @pbyes_ to stay updated on our programs.
Congratulations to our 2025 Junior Field Rangers for completing the program!
We’re so proud of our six incredible Junior Field Rangers for completing the program! This year’s cohort represented high schools across the San Fernando Valley, including Ulysses S. Grant High School, John H. Francis Polytechnic Senior High School, San Fernando Senior High School, Cesar E. Chavez Learning Academies, Van Nuys High School, and Sylmar Charter High School.
They’ve put in the work—conducting site surveys and Rapid Trash Assessments at places like Hidden Springs, Trail Canyon Falls, and Hansen Dam—and gained valuable skills in environmental stewardship. We can’t wait to see how they carry this knowledge forward as leaders, advocates, and changemakers in their schools and communities. Congratulations, Rangers—your journey is just beginning!
Jr. Field Rangers at a Glance
