STAFF PARK AND RECREATION SPECIALIST

State of California; California; Hybrid; USD 84,000 - 104,000; Full time

Job summary

State of California, Department of Parks & Recreation, is seeking a PROJECT OFFICER in Sacramento, CA. The role reports to a Senior Park and Recreation Specialist and oversees grant programs providing funding for local, state, and nonprofit projects.

Employment is permanent, full-time, with a salary of $7,498.00 to $9,317.00 per month and hybrid telework eligibility. The position requires leadership, staff supervision, and strong grant program knowledge.

Qualifications

• Lead, supervise, and guide a team of project officers.
• Monitor statewide grant programs and projects.
• Provide technical guidance and resolve grant issues.

Responsibilities

• Supervise staff in reviewing grant applications and payments.
• Monitor program progress and ensure timely technical assistance.
• Maintain relationships with applicants, grantees, and stakeholders.

Job description

Job Description and Duties

Job Posting: PROJECT OFFICER

Department of Parks & Recreation

$7,498.00 - $9,317.00 per Month

STAFF PARK AND RECREATION SPECIALIST – COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT DIVISION / OFFICE OF GRANTS AND LOCAL SERVICES / SACRAMENTO, HQ

The reporting location for this position is California Natural Resources Agency Building in Sacramento, California. This position will work under the direction of the Senior Park and Recreation Specialist.

Join the Office of Grants and Local Services in a rewarding career supervising a team that administers grant programs providing funding for local, state, and nonprofit projects addressing parks and recreation needs throughout California.

The successful candidate will provide leadership, supervision, and guidance to a team of Project Officers responsible for administering and monitoring statewide grant programs and projects. The position will use initiative, critical thinking, and independent judgment to manage staff workloads, provide technical guidance, resolve complex grant and project issues, and ensure consistent application of grant program requirements, policies, and procedures.

Duties include supervising and supporting staff in the review of grant applications, contracts, payment requests, project amendments, and grant closeouts; monitoring program and project progress; reviewing and resolving complex or sensitive issues; and ensuring applicants and grantees receive timely and consistent technical assistance. The position is also responsible for staff development, workload planning, and maintaining effective working relationships with applicants, grantees, internal partners, and other stakeholders.

Travel is required to participate in site inspections, technical assistance workshops, and other grant-related activities, approximately 10% travel per year.

This position is designated as telework eligible - office centered.

The position may also oversee and participate in the research, development, and implementation of grant programs; assist with the development of grant guidelines, policies, and procedures; and oversee or participate in in-person and virtual workshops, focus groups, technical assistance sessions, and site inspections.

Possession of a valid Class C driver’s license is required. You must answer the questions addressing your driver’s license on your application. Ensure you provide your driver’s license number, class, expiration date, and any endorsements and/or restrictions on your application.

State housing is not available. For further information regarding this position, please contact Kristine Schilpp at 916-902-8780 or e-mail [e-mail].

This recruitment may be used to fill identical vacancies which may occur within 180 days of the Final Filing Date of this job posting.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Final Filing Date: 11/2/2026

Working Conditions

90% office environment, requiring daily and frequent use of a personal computer and a variety of office software applications, with extended periods of seated work.

Involves interpersonal interactions with external partners/local grantee organizations, and internal staff.

10% work in the field, in a range of climatic environments, including hot, dry areas, coastal beaches, forests, chaparral, and steep terrain; may include extreme weather, temperatures, elevations, dirt, dust, fumes, unpleasant odors, traffic, and/or loud noises

Effective July 1, 2025, the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) implemented the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025). PLP 2025 directs that each employee receives a temporary reduction in pay in exchange for PLP 2025 leave credits. The percentage of the temporary salary reduction and the number of PLP 2025 leave credits are determined by the position’s assigned bargaining unit.

The salary range(s) included in this job advertisement do not reflect the temporary salary reduction.

For additional information regarding PLP 2025, please click here.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• STAFF PARK AND RECREATION SPECIALIST

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details

Job Code #: JC-535945

Position #(s): 549-091-1088-XXX

Working Title: PROJECT OFFICER

Classification: STAFF PARK AND RECREATION SPECIALIST

Salary Range: $7,498.00 - $9,317.00

New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

# of Positions: 2

Work Location: Sacramento County

Telework: Hybrid

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

The mission of California State Parks is to provide for the health, inspiration, and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state's extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation.

All employees are responsible for contributing to an inclusive, safe, and secure work environment that values diverse cultures, perspectives, and experiences, and is free from discrimination.

Department Website: http://www.parks.ca.gov

Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) a valid California Drivers License (CDL). You must answer the questions addressing your CDL on your application. Ensure you provide your CDL number, class, expiration date, and any endorsements and/or restrictions.

Candidates that believe they meet the Minimum qualifications based on a pattern of education from the classification description (specifications) must provide a copy of your degree/transcripts and/or license along with your application (STD. 678) to be considered for this position.

If selected for the position transcripts will be required prior to appointment.

DO NOT include any confidential information to your application or supporting documents (i.e., Social Security Number, birthdate, marital status, medical information, examination results, method of eligibility, etc.).

SROA/SURPLUS Applicants: You must check the SROA/Surplus as your claimed method of eligibility and attach your SROA/Surplus letter as an additional document.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

Successful candidates will possess strong leadership, communication, analytical, and organizational skills, with the ability to effectively supervise, support, and develop staff. They will demonstrate effective leadership by fostering a positive and collaborative work environment, promoting teamwork and accountability, building team morale, and supporting the professional growth of staff.

Candidates should demonstrate sound judgment, initiative, and the ability to manage multiple priorities and competing deadlines; provide clear direction and constructive guidance; and effectively manage staff workloads and program responsibilities. Experience interpreting and applying laws, regulations, policies, and procedures; providing technical guidance; resolving complex grant or program issues; and developing clear, concise written materials is highly desirable.

Candidates should also demonstrate strong customer service and interpersonal skills, attention to detail, and the ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with staff, management, applicants, grantees, and other internal and external partners. Experience developing, administering, or overseeing grant programs and the ability to serve as a subject matter expert on program requirements, policies, and procedures are also desirable.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Contact Information

The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Department Website: http://www.parks.ca.gov

Hiring Unit Contact:
Natalie Bee
[phone]
[e-mail]

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:
Sharon Comas - EEO Office
[phone]
[e-mail]

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Additional Instructions

If submitting your completed Application Package by mail or hand delivery, you must include the Position # 549-091-1088-XXX and the Job Control # JC-535945 in the "Examination or Job Title for which you are applying" section on the STD. 678.

Note: If you are applying for multiple positions, you must complete a STD. 678 for each position separately. Incomplete applications or applications received with multiple positions listed on one application will not be considered.

Employment History on the STD 678 must be complete and include dates, accurate hours per week, total time worked, duties and responsibilities, and contact names and phone numbers of supervisors. Failure to submit a completed STD 678 may result in you being screened out. Only the most qualified candidates will be invited to an interview.

Eligibility Information

To be appointed you must satisfy one of the following requirements:

1. List Eligibility – Successfully complete the civil service exam for STAFF PARK AND RECREATION SPECIALIST. Click here for more information on how to apply for the exam. NOTE: Please refer to the exam bulletin for the frequency of administration of this exam.
2. Transfer Eligibility – Must have current employment with the State of California in the same classification or in a classification that is comparable. If in a different classification, you must meet the minimum qualifications (see Minimum Qualifications section and associated links above).
3. Reinstatement Eligibility – Previously obtained permanent employment with the State of California in the same classification or in a classification that is comparable. If in a different classification, you must meet the minimum qualifications (see Minimum Qualifications section and associated links above).

In some special circumstances, candidates who meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position, but who do not have one of the types of eligibility listed above, may be hired. However, this is rare, and the preferred method of appointment is through eligibility as described above.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.