Living in the East Bay, we are blessed to have one of the best and largest parks districts in the nation. The East Bay Regional Parks District (EBRPD) operates 65 parks with space and facilities for hiking, biking, swimming, boating, fishing, nature learning, and other activities. It represents a huge number of outdoor diversions and places to enjoy nature throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties.

The Park District receives approximately 25 million visits per year and offers many programs for visitors. Managing such a large number of properties and programs requires a large organization: EBRPD currently employs 762 people as park rangers, naturalists, police and fire personnel, lifeguards, planners, biologists, and administrative support personnel. It’s an organization known for advancing its employees into higher positions - many of the current management staff started working for the district as student workers or lifeguards. Starting as a student worker is a good strategy, especially if you like being outdoors, working with children, aquatics, or public safety.

EBRPD is hosting two job fairs to make youth and students aged 15 to 24 aware of the range of opportunities available to work in the parks. Attendees will learn about the wide variety of job opportunities for youth and students while exploring the many seasonal jobs available this summer and in the near future. The district has nearly 400 seasonal positions available for youth, including academic and field interns, lifeguards, recreational leaders and interpretive student aides, public safety student aides, gate attendants and student laborers.

This will be the second year the job fairs will be held. The first event will be in Oakley on Jan. 30, followed by one in Oakland on Feb. 6.

Each summer, the district hires nearly 200 lifeguards for its 11 swim facilities. Recreational leaders do a lot of outdoor activities such as supporting day camps, overnight trips and afterschool programs. Interpretive student aides work directly with naturalists in training while public safety student aides are four-year positions for those interested in police or fire service. Gate attendants staff park kiosks, and student laborers assist rangers with light maintenance duties.

Most of the jobs are summer jobs, but the park district hires young people all year round. Most positions are paid and include benefits.

Intern Paula Pereira’s family is from Brazil, where the rich biodiversity left a lasting impression on her.

“I feel a strong connection to the land, and this desire to understand the natural systems of the world,” Pereira said.
Currently pursuing a Master’s of Science degree in environmental management at the University of San Francisco, Paula finds that her academic internship with the Park District is an incredible opportunity.

Working with district stewardship staff, Pereira visits parks in search of the invasive plant yellow star-thistle. She then uses GPS tools and computer software to create digital maps of plant locations.  “I’m learning about the practical aspects of land management – including technology - at the same time as I’m studying it in school,” says Pereira. Upon graduation, she has her sights set on a career in land conservation and restoration.

The job fairs will feature fast-paced workshops on topics such as:

• How to fill out a job application.
• How to have a successful interview.
• Customer service skills.
• Demonstrations from the district’s public safety, recreation and interpretive services departments.

Lifeguards will give tips on how to assess situations at lakes and pools and interpretive staff and recreation leaders will share details about what their jobs require.

Jan. 30 at Big Break Visitor Center, 69 Big Break Road, Oakley
Feb. 6 at Trudeau Training Center, 11500 Skyline Blvd., Oakland

Schedule for each fair:

9:00am – 9:45am: Check In
10:00am – 11:00am: Job Fair
11:00am – Noon: Workshops

No registration is necessary to participate. Call 520-544-2154520-544-2154 for more information about the job fair. For information about district parks, programs and activities, visit www.ebparks.org.