Inland Empire Center
Corpsmembers at the Inland Empire Center move mountains working across San Bernardino and Riverside counties.
Inland Empire Corpsmember Azucena Peraza shares a laugh while collecting rocks during a State Parks Statewide Trails project at Dos Rios State Park in Stanislaus County.
Inland Empire Center
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Train With Us
Get paid to train! The skills and lessons you learn at the Inland Empire Center will create a strong foundation for you to launch a meaningful career and transform your life.
Select an icon to learn more about project and training opportunities.
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 emergency excess pay. Crews support wildfire base camps, protect homes from flooding, remove debris, and perform mitigation work following natural disasters. Corpsmembers may also respond to emergencies out-of-state.
Emergency Response
Forestry
Corpsmembers at the Inland Empire Center improve the health of California’s forests by planting seedlings, collecting cones and seeds, and removing invasive and/or fire-prone vegetation. Corpsmembers may perform fire fuel reduction projects throughout the Inland Empire and beyond, while having the opportunity to earn certifications in utility line clearance, vegetation pre-inspector, Type 2 wildland fire training, fire inspector training, and more.
Forestry
Habitat Restoration
Inland Empire 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
Resource Conservation
The California Conservation Corps partners with California State Parks, Caltrans, county and city departments, and area non-profits to enhance and conserve our natural resources. CCC Corpsmembers may complete a variety of projects such as building or maintaining park facilities, installing signage, retrofitting energy systems, conducting energy surveys, creating defensible space, and reducing flood risk in communities.
Resource Conservation
Trails
The Inland Empire Center dedicates one crew to Statewide Trails Projects, a program partnership with California State Parks. The Statewide Trails Crew operates on a year-round spike schedule where Corpsmembers camp out at project sites for 8 days straight, with 6 days off. Corpsmembers construct and maintain trails for public recreation. Project work varies but may involve clearing brush, rebuilding trail tread, installing structures for erosion control, constructing bridges or boardwalks, building multi-tier rock walls, and more.
Trails
Wildland Firefighting
The Inland Empire Center partners with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to operate a Type 2 wildland firefighting hand crew. Corpsmembers receive training and hands-on experience working with BLM crew bosses responding to wildfires year-round locally and across the state. When Corpsmembers are not responding to wildland fires, they conduct fire fuel reduction projects for BLM, train, and maintain their physical fitness. Wildland hand crews help build fire line with hand tools and conduct mop-up work.
Wildland Firefighting
Picture Yourself Here
Place yourself in these Corpsmember’s boots and envision life at the Inland Empire Center.
Know Before You Go
Spikes
Inland Empire Corpsmembers often camp closer to project sites, called spikes, in wilderness areas or when projects take place outside of a reasonable commute. Spike projects typically work 8 days straight, with the crew departing on Wednesday and returning the following Wednesday.
Transportation
Corpsmembers must have reliable transportation to center. There are multiple transit options located about one-third of a mile from the center.
Activities
Join Inland Empire’s Corpsmember Advisory Board to organize volunteer events, plan recreation trips, and build community. You may also participate in a variety of local volunteer events to get involved with the community and pursue networking opportunities.
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.
“The CCC is a good start to learn discipline and push you to a career. It offered a Pre-Inspection Training and Arborist Training. Being in the Forestry Corps helped me identify tree species. It made me realize I’m able to accomplish anything I want if I put my mind in to it. I also feel I became a better worker.”
Ask Us Anything
We know you have questions about center life. Here are some of the common questions we get. Have more questions? Connect with us!
Talk to A Recruiter
Crew & Training Questions
If I enroll at the center, can I immediately join the Forestry Corps crew?
Corpsmembers can apply to join the crew. The application process to join the crew is competitive and requires a recommendation from your crew supervisor.
When can I join the center’s fire crew?
All wildland firefighting Corpsmembers must complete fire training before being assigned to the BLM fire crew. Corpsmembers must apply to join fire training and pass the pack test — a physical agility test that requires a 3-mile walk with a 45-pound weighted vest, completed within 45 minutes. Additionally, the Forestry Corps crew typically feeds into the Type 2 wildland fire crew.
Talk to your Recruiter to discuss your specific interest and the process.
What if I am already fire trained or have a fire technology degree?
All Corpsmembers requesting to join the fire crew will need to participate in the BLM wildland fire training program.
Does this center have a CAL FIRE crew?
No, the Inland Empire Center does not have a CAL FIRE crew. The Inland Empire Center has a federal Type 2 wildland fire crew.
What training opportunities does the Inland Empire Center offer?
The Inland Empire Center offers an array of unique training opportunities. Depending on funding and availability, some trainings may include: Utility Line Clearance Arborist, Utility Vegetation Management Pre-Inspector , drone operator, fire inspector, HAZWOPER, chain saw operator, emergency medical response, UC California Naturalist, and more.
Are there internship opportunities?
The Inland Empire Center offers internships with Caltrans in Highway and Landscape Maintenance. Corpsmember Caltrans interns continue their enrollment in the CCC, but report directly to a local Caltrans yard to gain hands-on experience working on a Caltrans crew. Many Corpsmember Caltrans interns gain employment with Caltrans after their internships.
Inland Empire also offers an internship with the native nursery at the Riverside-Corona Resource Conservation District. Interns gain valuable skills in the propagation of California native plants, including seed collection, processing, treatment, and general best practices of conserving California’s native flora and fauna.
Facility & General Questions
When assigned to a spike or emergency, can I park my personal vehicle at the center?
The center recommends Corpsmembers be dropped off by family or friends when assigned to a spike or emergency. There are parking restrictions on the center’s property as well as security concerns. Corpsmembers choosing to park on the street accept all liability for any damage or theft.
Does the center have a gym I can use?
The Inland Empire Center does not have a gym for Corpsmember use. The center may be able to assist with local gym memberships. Corpsmembers should discuss opportunities with their supervisor or Navigator.
Will the center help me get my driver license?
Sometimes. Depending on funding and scheduling opportunities, the center may be able to contract with a driving school to offer select Corpsmembers this opportunity.
Are there computers I can use at the center?
During center business hours Corpsmembers may use 15 desktop computers and 20 laptop computers for resume building, job searching, and completion of online courses.
Center business hours are 8:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Corpsmembers should confirm availability with their supervisor or Navigator.
What are some of the volunteer opportunities I may participate in?
The Inland Empire Center is deeply immersed with the local community through volunteerism. Some recent events include:
- City of Riverside: Supporting community events such as: Snow Day, Spring Eggstravaganza, 4th of July firework show, Salute to Veterans Parade, Mission Inn Annual Run, Juneteenth community events, Memorial Day A Flag for Every Hero
- TreePeople: Planting trees throughout Colton, Riverside, and Rialto
- Rivers and Lands: Mary Vagle Nature Center-National public lands day, Sycamore Canyon Clean up, Acorn Planting
- City of Redlands: Caroline Park Cleanup, Earth Day Events
- Corona Firefighter Association: Support the Auto Extrication Seminar that trains firefighters to handle life threatening vehicle accidents.
- Exchange Club of Fontana: Martin Luther King Day of Service
Read Center News
Inland Empire Corpsmembers spent a year working with California State Parks in harnesses to build up a new trail bed for the McWay Falls Overlook Trail near Big Sur.
You can call it an opportunity, a perk, or just being advantageous. CCC Inland Empire Corpsmembers also call it an honor to get paid while they train and earn their Emergency Medical Technician, or EMT, certification.
Inland Empire Corpsmembers may not be firefighters, but their hard work in steep terrain will help keep communities safe after a prescribed burn by California State Parks.
