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Department of Parks & Recreation

Our Mission

 

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.

 

California Department of Parks and Recreation

 

The California Department of Parks and Recreation, popularly known as State Parks, is honored to provide access to parks and open spaces and contribute to a healthier and richer quality of life for Californians and for people all over the world who visit the golden state’s natural wonders.

Equitable access to the outdoors ensures more Californians from all walks of life can reap the benefits for their hearts, minds and bodies for generations to come. California’s state parks and the recreational programs supported by the California Department of Parks and Recreation and its divisions of Boating and Waterways, Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation, and Office of Historic Preservation are gateways to these benefits and to opportunities to connect with families, friends and communities.

With 280 state park units, over 340 miles of coastline, 970 miles of lake and river frontage, 15,000 campsites, 5,200 miles of trails, 3,195 historic buildings and more than 11,000 known prehistoric and historic archaeological sites, the department contains the largest and most diverse recreational, natural and cultural heritage holdings of any state agency in the nation.

More than 68 million people annually visit California’s State Park System. The system includes:

  • Beaches
  • Coastal beaches
  • Conference centers
  • Ghost towns
  • Historic homes
  • Historic monuments
  • Historic parks
  • Lakes and reservoirs
  • Lighthouses
  • Marine parks
  • Museums
  • Natural and cultural preserves
  • Natural reserves
  • Off-Highway vehicle recreation areas
  • Parks
  • Recreation areas
  • Seashores
  • Spanish-era adobe buildings
  • Visitor centers


State Park System lands protect and preserve an unparalleled collection of culturally and environmentally sensitive structures and habitats, threatened plant and animal species, ancient Native American sites, historic structures and artifacts ... the best of California's natural and cultural history.

Additionally, the Office of Grants and Local Services (OGALS) develops grant programs to provide funding for local, state and nonprofit organization projects. Since 1964, more than 7,700 community parks throughout California have been created or improved from OGALS' grant funding. Since 2000, the program has administered approximately $4.7 billion in grant funding throughout California.

Jul 19, 2026
Full time
SENIOR MAINTENANCE AIDE (SEASONAL) Statewide
$20.76 - $24.03 hourly
Department of Parks & Recreation CA
Job Description and Duties This is a reopening. If you have previously applied to this job control, you do not have to re-apply. Your application will be considered.   This Senior Maintenance Aide will frequently work from remote locations to efficiently complete task assignments. This position will provide daily support to contracted youth corps crews in project implementation that includes trail and road construction, maintenance, and resource activities. Work will include heavy manual labor, extensive walking to and from work sites, hot summer temperatures, cold winter conditions including work in rain and snow conditions, and work in high altitude, desert, and coastal environments. This position requires extensive travel and long-term project coordination at any State Park. This position is required to work nights, weekends, and odd hours and overtime in accomplishment of assigned tasks. This position will spike camp at work sites throughout the state....
Jul 19, 2026
Full time
MAINTENANCE AIDE (SEASONAL) LA, Orange and San Diego County
$16.92 - $20.56 hourly
Department of Parks & Recreation CA
Job Description and Duties MAINTENANCE AIDE (SEASONAL) – ANGELES DISTRICT / MALIBU SECTOR ” Priority consideration will be given to any person receiving State public assistance under the CalWORKs program. Applicants who receive State public assistance need to identify their status as a CalWORKs recipient in the comments area on the application. Applicants must submit a verification of their CalWORKs eligibility status, which may include the most recent Notice of Action showing TANF eligibility or a copy of your last aid check stub. If verification is not submitted with the application, the application will not be processed. (Applicants may obtain verification from the CalWORKs program).” The reporting locations for this position are various locations within the Malibu Sector, including but not limited to Sacramento, del Norte and Mono Counites This position will work under the supervision of the Park Maintenance Chief and the Park Maintenance...
Jul 19, 2026
Full time
STATE PARK PEACE OFFICER (RANGER/LIFEGUARD) Sacramento and Merced
$6,339 monthly
Department of Parks & Recreation Merced, CA
Job Description and Duties STATE PARK PEACE OFFICER (RANGER/LIFEGUARD) – STATEWIDE RECRUITMENT ($6,215.00 Starting base pay per month) This is a Peace Officer Position. To be eligible, you must be an external candidate and  meet the minimum qualifications established by the Department of Human Resources AND either be currently eligible or eligible for reinstatement as a PC 830.2, California State Peace Officer.  Positions are available in the following counties: Butte, Calaveras, El Dorado, Fresno, Humboldt, Imperial, Kern, Lake, Los Angeles, Marin, Merced, Mono, Monterey, Nevada, Orange, Riverside, Sacramento, San Benito, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barabara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Shasta, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, and Ventura. Incumbents are trained and designated as sworn California State Park Peace Officers. Their authority extends statewide (on or off duty). They patrol park grounds by...
Jul 19, 2026
Full time
PARK AIDE (SEASONAL) Multiple Locations
$17.38 - $20.69 hourly
Department of Parks & Recreation CA
Job Description and Duties “Priority consideration will be given to any person receiving State public assistance under the CalWORKs program. Applicants who receive State public assistance need to identify their status as a CalWORKs recipient in the comments area on the application. Applicants must submit a verification of their CalWORKs eligibility status, which may include the most recent Notice of Action showing TANF eligibility or a copy of your last aid check stub. If verification is not submitted with the application, the application will not be processed. (Applicants may obtain verification from the CalWORKs program).” This position works under the supervision of the State Park Peace Officer Supervisor.  The Park Aide duties include greeting visitors at the entrance station, collecting and accounting for fees collected, providing park information to visitors, assisting Rangers with Park Aide seasonal duties as needed, and light housekeeping...
Jul 19, 2026
Full time
SENIOR PARK AIDE (SEASONAL) Northern Ca
$20.90 - $24.42 hourly
Department of Parks & Recreation Sacramento, CA
SENIOR PARK AIDE (SEASONAL) – Positions in Northern Ca “Priority consideration will be given to any person receiving State public assistance under the CalWORKs program. Applicants who receive State public assistance need to identify their status as a CalWORKs recipient in the comments area on the application. Applicants must submit a verification of their CalWORKs eligibility status, which may include the most recent Notice of Action showing TANF eligibility or a copy of your last aid check stub. If verification is not submitted with the application, the application will not be processed. (Applicants may obtain verification from the CalWORKs program).” This position works under the supervision of the Fire Fighter/ Security Officer and the general direction of the State Parks Supervising Ranger. The reporting location is Hearst Castle State Historical Monument in San Simeon California. The incumbent works at the hilltop of the State Historical...