Park Aide

Job Description

Job Description

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.