ASSOCIATE PARK AND RECREATION SPECIALIST

Job Description and Duties

ASSOCIATE PARK AND RECREATION SPECIALIST – COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT DIVISION / OFFICE OF GRANTS AND LOCAL SERVICES / SACRAMENTO

The reporting location for this position is the  California Natural Resources Agency Building ( Headquarters) in Sacramento, California. This position will work under the direction of the Staff Park and Recreation Specialist.  

Park and Recreation Specialist  will also be considered for recruitment purposes.

Join the Office of Grants and Local Services in a rewarding career helping to develop and administer grant programs that provide funding for local, state, and nonprofit projects that address parks and recreation needs throughout California.

The successful candidate will use initiative and independent judgement to review, evaluate required documents, and ensure compliance with grant program(s) requirements and recommend projects for grant funding. Duties include research, planning, development and implementation of future grant programs, host in-person and virtual workshops, and establishing professional relationships with grant applicants to support and ensure grant application accuracy and completeness. The successful candidate will also assist with the development of the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP). The SCORP is a 10-year plan establishing statewide recreation priorities.

This position is designated as telework eligible - office centered. 

Travel is required to conduct site inspections, focus groups, and technical assistance workshops (approximately 10% per year). Possession of a valid Class C driver’s license is required. You must answer the questions addressing your driver’s license on your application. Ensure you provide your driver’s license number, class, expiration date, and any endorsements and/or restrictions on your application. 

State housing is not available . For further information regarding this position, please contact  Sam Cadeaux at  View email address on calcareers.ca.gov or Show phone number or Nicky Lambert at View email address on calcareers.ca.gov or Show phone number.

This recruitment may be used to fill identical vacancies which may occur within 180 days of the Final Filing Date of this job posting.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

Effective July 1, 2025, the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) implemented the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025).  PLP 2025 directs that each employee receives a temporary reduction in pay in exchange for PLP 2025 leave credits. The percentage of the temporary salary reduction and the number of PLP 2025 leave credits are determined by the position’s assigned bargaining unit. The salary range(s) included in this job advertisement do not reflect the temporary salary reduction. For additional information regarding PLP 2025, please click .

Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) a valid California Drivers License (CDL). You must answer the questions addressing your CDL on your application. Ensure you provide your CDL number, class, expiration date, and any endorsements and/or restrictions.

Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is a discussion of how an applicant's education, training, experience, and skills meet the criteria in the duty statement and qualify the applicant for the position.

Please include a 1-2 page(s), 12-point font, Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) that describes your experience as it relates to this position/Duty Statement. Resumes and cover letters will not take the place of the SOQ.

Failure to include and complete the SOQ may result in disqualification for interview.

Candidates that believe they meet the Minimum qualifications based on a pattern of education from the classification description (specifications) must provide a copy of your degree/transcripts and/or license along with your application (STD. 678) to be considered for this position. If selected for the position transcripts will be required prior to appointment.

DO NOT include any confidential information to your application or supporting documents (i.e., Social Security Number, birthdate, marital status, medical information, examination results, method of eligibility, etc.)

SROA/SURPLUS Applicants: You must check the SROA/Surplus as your claimed method of eligibility and attach your SROA/Surplus letter as an additional document.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

Successful candidates will possess excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly and effectively communicate complex information to a variety of audiences. They will demonstrate strong analytical and organizational skills, exercise sound judgment, manage multiple priorities and competing deadlines, and work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment. Experience interpreting and applying laws, regulations, policies, and procedures; providing technical assistance and guidance to internal and external partners; and developing clear, concise written materials is highly desirable. Candidates should also demonstrate strong customer service skills, attention to detail, and proficiency in building and maintaining effective working relationships with internal and external partners.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Additional Instructions

If submitting your completed Application Package by mail or hand delivery, you must include the Position # 549-091-1089-XXX and the Job Control # JC-530122 in the “Examination or Job Title for which you are applying” section on the STD. 678. 

Note: If you are applying for multiple positions, you must complete a STD. 678 for each position separately. Incomplete applications or applications received with multiple positions listed on one application will not be considered.

Employment History on the STD 678 must be complete and include dates, accurate hours per week, total time worked, duties and responsibilities, and contact names and phone numbers of supervisors. Failure to submit a completed STD 678 may result in you being screened out. Only the most qualified candidates will be invited to an interview.

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.
• Statement of Qualifications -

  Please see "Special Requirements"