Online Applications For Jersey City Youth Summer Jobs Now Open

Mayor Fulop Announces Open Application Period to Hire Hundreds of Jersey City’s Youth for Meaningful Summer Employment Opportunities

Renowned Summer Youth Works Program Impacts Thousands of Local Youth through the Dept. of Recreation & Youth Development Initiative

JERSEY CITY – Mayor Steven M. Fulop joins City Council members and the Department of Recreation and Youth Development to announce the launch of the online application process for this year’s Jersey City Summer Youth Works. The esteemed program provides Jersey City residents, ages 15 to 24, with meaningful employment every summer to help make a positive contribution to their community and gain the necessary job and life skills for a successful future.

“Since creating Youth Works in 2014, we’ve provided hands-on work experience and enrichment opportunities to more than 3,000 of our most impressionable residents, our youth,” said Mayor Fulop. “This program is critical not only for empowering a young workforce but also the thousands of kids they help mentor and influence in a fun outdoor environment away from computer screens.”

“Working for Jersey City’s Recreation placed me at the intersection of civic engagement and communication. It’s here I gained the capacity to develop our strong communities by influencing involvement,” added Johvanny Rodriguez, a Youth Works 2021 Lifeguard.

In 2022, more than 500 of Jersey City’s young residents will be hired for part-time positions across City departments and agencies. While Youth Works primarily serves as a venue to provide valuable work experience, it also promotes the development of valuable leadership skills while earning an income.

For Neckolette Nedwell, her Youth Works experience as a Camp Counselor in 2021 led to a job with another City project and ultimately with Carlo’s Bakery, which hired her based on her experience and commitment, as shown through her employment with Jersey City. “Working at the Recreation Department this past summer was truly an amazing experience. It was the best feeling getting to see the children have so much fun, especially after they’ve been inside for so long. We were able to let them play with other children, something they didn’t have a chance to do for months prior. It really makes my summer better when I get to help the children have an absolute blast and make new friends along the way,” she said.

This year, the program anticipates another successful summer season, with programs including basketball, bucket drumming, soccer, and skateboarding throughout dozens of Jersey City’s public parks, gyms, pools, and playgrounds.

Summer Youth Works employment opportunities include:

• Summer Fun Camp Counselors
• Department of Public Works Cleanup Crews
• Public Library Enrichment Program Aides
• Public Pool Lifeguards

“For 2021, we had historic numbers in engagement, enrichment, and athletic activities all across the City,” said Lucinda McLaughlin, Director of the Department of Recreation and Youth Development. “We expect this summer to have historic engagement after two years of COVID restrictions. So, we are excited to hire top-quality workers for the nearly 500 positions.”

This year’s summer programming will focus on the City’s three public pools, five summer camps, and various gymnasiums for sports programming in the evening hours. Anyone interested in seeking employment with Youth Works this summer can apply online now through March 6, 2022. Any applicant must be a Jersey City resident.