Park Aide in Sonoma, California at SONOMA ECOLOGY CENTER

Sugarloaf Ridge State Park is seeking a year-round Park Aide who takes pride in a well-run park and enjoys working with the public.

Join us at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park and join a close-knit team committed to preserving the park's beauty and enriching the community. Here, your work is more than a job — it's a contribution to a place loved by many.

For over a decade, the Sonoma Ecology Center has been at the heart of Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, bringing to life its 4,900 acres in Sonoma County with a spirit of vibrancy and inclusivity. That dedication has shaped the park into a community favorite, celebrated for its accessible trails, welcoming campsites, and innovative programs. The park hosts roughly 160,000 visitors a year.

As a year-round Park Aide, you'll join a team passionate about nature, community, and creating memorable experiences for all visitors. This service-oriented position splits time between outdoor operations and maintenance work and front-line customer service in the Visitor Center. On-the-job training is provided for park rules, procedures, equipment, and operations. You will work both independently and as part of a team.

Sonoma Ecology Center (SEC) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that has worked with our community for over 36 years to identify and lead actions that achieve and sustain ecological health in Sonoma Valley and beyond. Our work improves the land, climate, water, and biodiversity—the foundation of our region’s high quality of life.

Each year, we provide in-depth environmental science instruction to over 1,100 students, manage over 5,000 acres of public and private land, including Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, raise thousands of native plants, restore native habitat, and provide research and technical support on timely issues affecting the region. With an annual budget of over $3 million, our professional staff manages numerous large grants and contracts, often in partnership with other nonprofits and agencies that, by working together, significantly leverage our work and impact.

• Support Visitor Center operations, including checking in campers and assisting visitors with maps and information.

• Manage campsite reservation inventory.

• Collect and process fees, including day-use parking, campground fees, firewood, and memberships.

• Operate the cash register and point-of-sale system, and support retail operations and inventory.

• Answer visitor questions in person, by phone, and by email.

• Interpret and explain park rules, regulations, and policies to visitors tactfully and consistently.

• Meet the public and support and be sensitive to the diversity of people and cultures.

• Clean campground and park restrooms at least daily, and more frequently as needed.

• Handle recycling and garbage removal at facilities, per the daily campground sheet and the daily operational schedule.

• Perform daily rounds, checking trash, maps, restrooms, and campsites.

• Service restrooms and showers per the operational schedule.

• Keep the park clean and welcoming by managing waste and maintaining facilities, ensuring the park looks cared for and attractive.

• Correct potential safety issues at campsites, on grounds, and at outbuildings, or notify park maintenance or management.

• Assist with the park's defensible space operations and year-round weed abatement projects.

• Help with repairs and upkeep as assigned.

• Assist with trail and road maintenance, which may include trail construction and maintenance, tree clearing, weed whacking, painting, building repairs, and other trail and facility maintenance.

• Work alongside volunteers on projects as directed by park management.

• Assist with special events, educational programs, and public programs hosted at the park.

• Participate in training related to emergency response, wildfire readiness, and park operations.

• Communicate professionally, both verbally and in writing.

• Work independently as a self-starter, and report to work on time and within the scope of instruction.

• Bring an “all hands on deck” attitude as a team player.

• Increase your familiarity with park features and amenities, and share them with visitors.

• Participate in and support the mission and goals of Sugarloaf Ridge State Park and its Team Sugarloaf partners.

Please note: This position requires variable hours, including days, evenings, weekends, and holidays. Work is performed in all weather conditions. Peak season runs from late May through late September. A uniform shirt and name tag are required and provided.

• Ability to use Google email, Docs, and Sheets, including preparing the daily campground sheet in Google Docs.

• Familiarity with the Microsoft Office suite.

• Ability to learn to operate the State R2S2 computer system.

• Comfortable learning new software and troubleshooting routine technology issues.

• Work under the guidance of the Campground Manager, Park Manager, and Maintenance Supervisor.

• Strong customer service experience and effective communication skills.

• Schedule flexibility, as shifts will include weekends, evenings, and holidays.

• Willingness to wear a uniform and work in variable weather conditions.

• Ability to follow oral and written instructions and to work within established safety practices and procedures.

• Ability to make sound independent decisions and solve routine problems on your own.

• Be tech-savvy enough to handle the computer tasks listed above.

• Experience using hand- and gas-powered tools is a plus; we will provide on-the-job training for most tools and equipment.

• Valid, clean driver's license, an insurable driving record, and current auto insurance.

• Ability to pass a background check.

• Experience performing or willingness to perform janitorial work and physical manual labor.

• Experience handling cash and operating a point-of-sale system.

• Experience working with the public in a service-oriented role.

• CPR and Basic First Aid certification (desired, not required).

• Bilingual English/Spanish skills (desired, not required).

• Chainsaw experience (preferred, not required).

Any combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the required duties of the position. Experience working with the public is a plus. This is a service-oriented position.

This is a year-round position scheduled for 32–40 hours per week. The schedule will include weekends, evenings, and holidays, and specific days and shift times will vary with the season. Expect the heaviest visitation and the fullest schedule from late May through late September.

You will spend much of the day outdoors, then spend time in the Visitor Center helping campers, answering phone calls and questions, using the POS system, and using the computer to manage reservations and other duties. You should be physically able to use a computer, printer, and register, and answer the phone.

This position can be physically demanding at times. You must be able to safely lift, push, pull, and carry up to 40 pounds. You will also be exposed to the elements, such as heat, direct sunlight, cold, rain, snakes, wildlife, ticks, poison oak, and other vegetation that may aggravate the skin. Physically, you need to be able to walk, hike on trails, stand for long periods, reach, lift, bend, stoop, and squat.

Additional essential functions include:

• Ability to communicate and provide necessary instructions clearly and concisely to both staff and customers.

• Visual and auditory ability to respond to environmental and other hazards on site.

• Physical mobility to traverse difficult and uneven terrain.

• Ability to use site equipment, tools, and cleaning and janitorial supplies.

• Ability to safely drive and operate light motorized vehicles.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Pay: $25.00 per hour

As a year-round employee, after 30 days you will be eligible for:

• Kaiser Medical, Dental & Vision coverage, approximately 80% paid by employer depending on plan

• 80 hours Vacation

• 24 Hours Personal Leave

• 40 hours Sick Leave

• 7 paid Holidays

• 401k & 403b available, self-funded

Park perks: Park Aides enjoy a 20% discount on all retail products at the Visitor Center, free off-peak camping, firewood, an incredibly beautiful landscape, and free hikes.

• Department of Justice/FBI criminal background and sex offender registry check.

• DMV check, valid driver's license, insurable driving record, and current auto insurance.

Additional requirements may apply depending on the position's duties. If you receive a conditional offer, the requirements on which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the offer letter.

Sonoma Ecology Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, gender identity, creed, color, ancestry, religion, national origin, ethnic group identification, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected classification. All persons have equal access to programs, services, and employment opportunities. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and all ethnicities and genders to apply. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation in the application or interview process should notify our Human Resources Department.