Park Operations Aide (Formerly Student Laborers; RETURNING staff for the 2026 season)

East Bay Regional Park District; Dihlabeng Local Municipality; On-site; ZAR 50 000 - 200 000; Part time

Job summary

A regional park district is seeking Park Operations Aides for the summer season in South Africa. Candidates will perform various tasks such as cleaning and assisting park visitors. This role requires strong work ethic and the ability to work outdoors. Application materials must be submitted online by returning Student Laborers. Enjoy the outdoors while supporting the community!

Qualifications

• Must be at least 15 years old at the time of appointment.
• Ability to follow directions and communicate clearly.
• Willingness to work outdoors in various weather conditions.

Responsibilities

• Perform manual tasks like collecting garbage and cleaning facilities.
• Interact with park visitors and convey park rules.
• Assist Park Rangers with various tasks as needed.

Skills

Teamwork

Public interaction

Manual labor

Education

No experience required

Tools

Hand tools

Job description

Are you looking for a summer job? Would you rather get paid work outside and support the public as they enjoy the beautiful parks that are available for all? If you answered Yes to these questions, then this is the opportunity for you! The East Bay Regional Park District is looking for former staff that are interested in working as Park Operations Aides for the 2026 summer season. If you'd like to come work for the largest regional park district in the nation, then submit your online application today!

Please note this job opportunity is only for former EBRPD Student Laborers (for returning staff only). Anyone interested in being considered for this Park Operations Aide position and has never worked as a Student Laborer with the Park District, should subscribe to this position (click here) to receive a notification once we begin receiving applications for new applicants. Be sure to update your application information and answer all the supplemental questions thoroughly. Please note that if you previously worked in a hybrid role as a Gate Attendant/Student Laborer, you will have to apply for these positions separately to be considered for both. We are not hiring candidates in hybrid or dual roles for the upcoming 2026 season.

We Are Looking for People Who

• Enjoy working outdoors;
• Like to interact with the public on a daily basis;
• Have a strong work ethic and take initiative;
• Want to work in a fast-paced, team setting.

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 (formerly employed as a Student Laborer) 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)
• Unit 4: Crown Beach (Alameda, CA); Point Pinole (Richmond, CA); MLK Jr. Shoreline (Oakland, CA)
• Unit 5: Botanic Garden (Berkeley, CA); Kennedy Grove (El Sobrante, CA); Tilden (Berkeley, CA); Wildcat Canyon (Richmond, CA)
• Unit 6: No vacancies as this time
• Unit 7: Contra Loma (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 public's trust through meaningful stakeholder engagement and unfettered access to timely and reliable information on decisions and performance.

Performs various unskilled manual tasks needed in parks, including collecting garbage and litter, emptying trash cans, sweeping paths and parking lots, cleaning restrooms, restocking restrooms 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.

Age: 15 ½ at the time of appointment.

Experience: None.

Conditions of Employment

• Must pass a Level 1 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.

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.
• 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 (855) 524‑5627.

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 an 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.