If you’re a young person in Escambia County between the ages of 16 and 24, here’s an opportunity worth paying attention to: the county is now accepting applications for its 2026 Summer Youth Employment Program, and the deadline is coming up fast — 5 p.m. on Friday, February 27.
Applications are available online at MyEscambia.com/syep. Incomplete applications or anything submitted after the deadline will not be considered, so don’t wait until the last minute.
What the Program Offers
Accepted participants will work up to 30 hours per week at $14 per hour in positions spread across various county departments, including the Escambia County Property Appraiser and Tax Collector’s Office. Before being placed in a position, participants undergo job-readiness training covering practical workplace skills — professional dress, punctuality, and workplace respect — and attend post-employment debriefing sessions at the program’s conclusion.
Last summer, more than 200 young people participated, working in departments ranging from Engineering and Public Safety to Escambia County Area Transit and West Florida Public Libraries. Positions are limited, so early applications are encouraged.
Who Qualifies?
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be an Escambia County resident at the time of application and throughout the program
- Be between 16 and 24 years old at the time of enrollment
- Have no felony convictions
- Provide proof of identity (state-issued driver’s license or ID) and proof of address
- Submit enrollment verification if currently in school
- Complete the required job readiness training and end-of-program debriefing
- Attend the Summer Youth Program Award Ceremony
- Meet the hiring criteria of the program’s temporary employment agency
Why This Matters
For many local teenagers and young adults, a program like this is a first real foothold in the workforce — a chance to build a résumé, develop professional habits, and make connections with county departments that employ people year-round. At $14 an hour for up to 30 hours a week, it also puts meaningful money in young people’s pockets during the summer months.
For parents and family members: if you know a young person who could benefit from this, share the information now. The February 27 deadline doesn’t leave much time.
For more information, contact Escambia County Neighborhood and Human Services at 850-595-3927 or 850-595-1620.
