Park Operations Aide (RETURNING staff for the 2027 season)

East Bay Regional Park District; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 28,000; Part time

Job summary

East Bay Regional Park District is hiring Park Operations Aides for the summer season. These roles involve outdoor, hands-on tasks such as litter pickup, restroom cleaning, grounds maintenance, and assisting with park operations. Ideal candidates enjoy working outside, communicating with the public, and functioning well in a team.

Returning employees are prioritized, with the possibility of part-time or full-time schedules. This is an hourly, seasonal position and may include weekend work.

Qualifications

• Experience: None.
• Age: 15 ½ at the time of appointment.
• Seasonal, part-time position paid by the hour.

Responsibilities

• Pick up litter, empty trash cans, and clean restrooms.
• Weed, prune, and clean park grounds.
• Assist with basic maintenance and graffiti removal.
• Answer visitor questions and communicate park rules.
• Support staff with supplies and daily operations.

Job description

The Position

Ready for another summer with East Bay Regional Park District? Former Park Operations Aides are encouraged to apply! Park Operations Aides help keep our parks clean, maintained, and welcoming for visitors. If you enjoy working outdoors, staying active, and being part of a team, this could be a great opportunity for you.

What You'll Do

• Pick up litter, empty trash cans, and clean restrooms.
• Help maintain park grounds through weeding, pruning, and general cleanup.
• Assist with basic maintenance, cleaning facilities, and removing graffiti.
• Answer visitor questions and communicate park rules.
• Support park staff with supplies and daily operations.

Who We're Looking For

• Outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy hands-on work.
• People persons who like interacting with the public.
• Dependable self-starters with a strong work ethic and initiative.
• Team players who can keep up in a fast-paced environment.

Important: Returning employees must apply and will be considered for available positions. Reemployment is not guaranteed. Hybrid and dual-role assignments will not be offered for the 2027 season.

Vacancy Situation

These are seasonal positions, paid by the hour, typically not lasting more than six months in duration. Work schedules may be full-time or part-time depending on the needs of the park. Parks with an early need for part-time and weekend work will be making job offers as their vacancies become open. Candidates interested in this opportunity are encouraged to apply as early as possible as this is the only opportunity to apply for this position as a returning employee for the Parks Operation Aide position.

Potential Work Locations

• Unit 1: Del Valle (Livermore, CA); Sunol/Ohlone (Sunol, CA); Shadow Cliffs (Pleasanton, CA)
• Unit 2: Ardenwood (Fremont, CA); Coyote Hills (Fremont, CA); Cull Canyon (Castro Valley, CA); Don Castro (Hayward, CA); Garin (Hayward, CA); Quarry Lakes (Fremont, CA)
• Unit 3: Anthony Chabot Regional Park (Castro Valley, CA); Lake Chabot (Castro Valley, CA)
• Reinhardt Redwood (Oakland, CA); Roberts (Oakland, CA); Temescal (Oakland, CA)
• Unit 4: Crown Beach (Alameda, CA); Point Pinole (Richmond, CA); MLK Jr. (Oakland, CA); Miller/Knox (Richmond, CA); Hayward Shoreline (Hayward, CA)
• Unit 5: Botanic Garden (Berkeley, CA); Kennedy Grove (El Sobrante, CA); Tilden (Berkeley, CA); Wildcat Canyon (Richmond, CA)
• Unit 6: Diablo Foothills (Walnut Creek, CA); Briones (Lafayette, CA)
• Unit 7: Contra Loma (Antioch, CA); Black Diamond (Antioch, CA)

Our Values

• Respect: We honor each other, the park users we serve, and the land we steward.
• Resilience: We creatively adapt to change. We address challenges with empathy, perspective, and determination.
• Relationships: Our greatest strength lies in the trust, accountability, and teamwork we cultivate with our colleagues, partners, and the public we serve.
• Responsiveness: We communicate openly, honestly, and reliably.
• Transparency: We hold the publics trust through meaningful stakeholder engagement and unfettered access to timely and reliable information on decisions and performance.

Please note this job opportunity is only for former EBRPD Park Operations Aides (Student Laborer). Anyone interested in being considered for this Park Operations Aide position and has never worked as a Park Operations Aide (Student Laborer) with the Park District should subscribe to this position to receive a notification once we begin receiving applications for new applicants.

Example of Duties

Performs various unskilled manual tasks needed in parks, including collecting garbage and litter, emptying trash cans, sweeping paths and parking lots, cleaning restrooms, restocking restroom with paper supplies, emptying barbecue grills, loading and unloading pickup trucks, assisting Park Rangers in irrigation, weeding, pruning, and related tasks; performs various unskilled general tasks related to the operation of the park buildings, including unloading supplies, emptying wastebaskets, painting and staining, graffiti removal, weed abatement, and performing general clean up such as washing vehicles; may operate a Park District vehicle or utility cart, but will not operate other machinery (electric, battery, or gas) or power equipment; uses a variety of hand tools and cleaning supplies; responds to visitor questions; conveys park rules and regulations to park users; and performs related duties as assigned.

Other Functions & Duties

Assists other employees with park projects.

Minimum Qualifications

Age: 15 ½ at the time of appointment.

Experience: None.

Conditions Of Employment

• Must pass a Level 2 background check.
• Required to wear a Park District uniform.
• May be required to work unusual hours, weekends, and holidays.
• Works outdoors and in a variety of weather conditions.
• Park Operations Aides are required to work 1 season with a minimum of 350 hours before progressing to the next pay step.
• Park Operations Aides have limited rights under Local 2428, American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME), AFL-CIO.

Additional Information

Knowledge of: safe work procedures; use of hand tools; office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.

Ability to: perform manual labor; follow directions; use basic hand tools; operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain positive working relationships with those contacted in the course of work at all levels, including a culturally diverse public, with a focus on quality service to internal staff and external customers. Must be able to stand, walk, twist, bend, reach above and below shoulders, lift and carry objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

Application materials for these positions consist of two (2) required parts:

• A current East Bay Regional Park District application submitted online; and
• Completed supplemental questions.

Candidates can only be considered for one seasonal position, not dual roles are permitted for the upcoming season. If you have previously applied on GovernmentJobs.com, please take care to update your existing profile.

Applications are accepted online only. Our online application system is provided by NeoGov. If you encounter problems while applying online, please contact NeoGov Help Desk toll-free at [phone].

Selection Process

Application materials for all applicants meeting the minimum qualifications will be reviewed by a screening panel to select the best qualified for testing and/or interview. Candidates whose qualifications best match District needs will be placed on a eligibility list by Human Resources to be referred to the hiring supervisors for possible interviews and selection. Possession of minimum qualifications or being placed on the list does not guarantee an invitation to interview. Pursuant to the Federal Immigration and Reform Act of 1986, all applicants who are hired will be required to provide proof of identity and appropriate work authorization documents prior to commencement of employment.

Background Check

The individuals chosen for hire must be able to pass a criminal background check prior to employment.

Special Testing Arrangements

If you require special arrangements due to a verified disability or medical condition, please contact the Human Resources Department at 510-544-2154.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The East Bay Regional Park District is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and respects a diverse workforce and community. It is committed to promoting an equitable and inclusive workspace that is welcoming to all. Applicants from all backgrounds and life experiences are encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.

There are no benefits associated with this position.