Park Aide - Parks (Idyllwild)

Park Aide - Parks (Idyllwild)

Salary

$38,873.78 - $56,449.48 Annually

Location

Idyllwild

Job Type

Regular

Job Number

26-85049-02

Department

Parks Department

Division

Reg Parks & Open-Space Dist

Opening Date

10/14/2026

Closing Date

10/28/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

For questions regarding this position, please contact the Recruiter listed in the Supplemental Information section.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The County of Riverside seeks candidates to fill positions throughout Riverside County. A list of eligible candidates will be established to fill current and future vacancies.

The Riverside County Regional Park and Open-Space District is seeking for a Park Aide - Parks at the Idyllwild Nature Center located in Idyllwild.

The incumbent will assist Park Interpreters with planning and delivering natural science, historical, conservation, and environmental education programs at parks, nature centers, and wildlife reserves. Responsibilities include providing front-desk support by greeting visitors, operating a cash register, and responding to questions about the site. Additionally, the incumbent will assist with the presentation and setup of interpretive programs, coordinate volunteer and docent activities as assigned, and help maintain buildings, interpretive exhibits, and trails. Additional duties include responding to assigned correspondence and assisting with the care and feeding of animals used in interpretive programs.

Competitive candidates will possess strong customer service experience, experience communicating effectively with guests, contractors, and staff, and experience working in a parks or similar recreational setting. Cash handling experience is desirable.

Work schedule: Wednesday-Sunday, 5/40 schedule from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Monday and Tuesday off. (Schedules may vary depending on department needs. Overtime, holiday, and evening shifts will be required per department need.)

Meet the Team:

The Riverside County Regional Park and Open-Space District is a nationally accredited agency who strives to be the regional leader in improving lives through people, parks, places, and programs. Their mission is to acquire, protect, develop, manage, and interpret for the inspiration, use, and enjoyment of all people, a well-balanced system of areas of outstanding scenic, recreational, and historic importance.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Assist Park Interpreters with the development and planning of natural science, historical, conservation, and environmental education interpretive programs for parks, nature centers, and wildlife reserves operated by the Park District.
• Compile information and prepare a variety of reports, studies, and interpretive program materials.
• Present or assist with the presentation of interpretive programs offered to the public; do program prop setup and removal; organize volunteer and docents groups as assigned by Park Interpreters; establish, monitor, and administer volunteer work schedules as assigned.
• Assist in maintaining buildings, interpretive exhibits, and trails.
• Answer assigned correspondence independently as assigned.
• Assist in the care and feeding of animals used in interpretive programs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: High School Diploma or G.E.D. equivalent.

AND

OPTION I

30 semester units or 45 quarter units of upper division coursework from a recognized college in Park Administration, Public or Business Administration, Resource or Land Management, Forestry or a related field.

Note: upper division coursework is typically taken by juniors and seniors and are primarily for majors.

OR

OPTION II

Experience: One year of experience with a park or allied facility performing maintenance, operations, or routine administrative functions.

OR

OPTION III

Experience: More than 3 years part-time or 2 years full-time of any type of work experience which demonstrates the following abilities: the presentation/communication of interpretive and educational information in simple/understandable terms and in a logical format to children; working independently with minimal supervision; establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with staff, docents, volunteers, children, parents, school teachers/administrators and other members of the public.

ALL OPTIONS

License: A valid California Class C Driver License is required at the time of application. The incumbent will be driving to different sites and locations within the park and nature center.

Physical/Environmental: The Park Aide - Parks job duties are performed throughout the park and will involve exposure to inclement weather and weather extremes, including high temperatures, rain, and cold winter conditions with snow. The position also requires lifting and carrying equipment weighing up to 50 to 60 pounds, standing, walking, bending, sitting, and moving and manipulating equipment and other objects, as well as exposure to animal odors and animal food items.

Uniforms are provided

Ability to: Learn basic research and reporting methods; read effectively; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; perform work with only general instructions; work with minimal supervision; prepare reports; establish and maintain effective working relationships with children, teachers, parents, Park District employees, volunteers, and members of the public; work with animals used in interpretive programs. Some positions may require ability to perform physical tasks, such as cleaning & maintenance.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

For questions regarding this recruitment:

Please contact Genesis Ochoategui at gochoategui@rivco.org, or call (951) 955-4593. Please allow 1-3 business days for response to general inquiries.

____

APPLICATION INFORMATION

Veterans Preference

The County has a Veterans Preference Policy applicable to new hires. To qualify, attach the required documents to your job application. Documents include a copy of your (or your spouses) Member-4 Form DD-214 indicating dates of service. For spousal preference, and as applicable, the following documents: a copy of your marriage certificate, spouses death certificate, a letter of spouses disability and/or letter of service-related death (if available) from the U.S. Veterans Administration. For privacy reasons, it is recommended that you remove your social security information from the document(s). A Human Resources Representative will review the materials and determine if you qualify for veterans preference. For complete details and documentation requirements, please review the Veterans Preference Policy, C-3 here: https://rivcocob.org/board-policies

Reasonable Accommodations

The County of Riverside is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter for the position noted above. For additional information and/or to obtain the appropriate form for requesting a reasonable accommodation, please visit the Disability Access Office web page located at: https://rc-hr.com/disability

Work Location and Telework

In-person attendance is the standard work expectation for County of Riverside assignments. Certain assignments may be eligible for a hybrid telework schedule; however, telework arrangements are subject to management approval, operational needs, and/or may be modified or discontinued at any time. Employees who telework are expected to be able to report to their assigned worksite on short notice or as operational needs require. Unless otherwise specified for a particular position, employees are expected to reside in California following appointment. Limited exceptions may apply. Applicants should contact the assigned recruiter for additional information regarding work location expectations, telework eligibility, and residency requirements.

Proof of Education

If using education to qualify or when requested by the recruiter, upload a copy of any license(s), official/unofficial transcript(s), degrees, and/or related employment documents to your NeoGov account at the time of application and before the closing date. Official or unofficial transcripts will be accepted.

If your education was completed outside of the United States, you will need to provide a copy of your Foreign Education Equivalency evaluation from a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE).

Work Authorization Requirement

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application. The County of Riverside does not participate in visa sponsorship programs, including H1-B visas, and will not provide sponsorship for any employment-based visas.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The County of Riverside is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the County of Riverside to provide equal employment opportunities for all qualified persons. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, or denial of medical and family care leave, or any other non-job-related factors.

Pre-Employment

All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment requirements including a criminal background investigation, which involves fingerprinting. (A felony or misdemeanor conviction may disqualify the applicant from County employment). A pre-employment physical examination and background check may be required.

Probationary Period

As an Approved Local Merit System, all County of Riverside employees, except those serving "At Will," are subject to the probationary period provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, County Resolution, or Salary Ordinance. Temporary and Per Diem employees serve at the pleasure of the agency/department head.

General Information

Current County of Riverside and/or current employees of the hiring department may receive priority consideration. Qualified candidates may be considered for future County vacancies.

Job postings may close without notice based on application volume. Submit your complete application by the recruitment close date; no late applications are accepted. Ensure all relevant experience/education is reflected on your application/resume, as a failure to demonstrate position requirements may disqualify applicants. A description of job duties directly copied from the job classification or job posting will not be considered.

Please read and follow any special application instructions on this posting. Click the Apply link located on this page to submit your application. For additional instructions on the application process, examinations, Veterans preference, pre-employment accommodation or other employment questions, please refer to our web site, www.rc-hr.com.

If you are experiencing technical problems, you may contact the governmentjobs.com applicant support desk Monday through Friday, 6 am to 5 pm Pacific Time at support@governmentjobs.com or toll-free 1-855-524-5627.

BENEFIT PROGRAM: SEI

MEDICAL/DENTAL/VISION INSURANCE: A choice of different medical, dental and visions plan are available to elect. The County provides a Flexible Benefit Credit contribution as governed by the applicable SEIU Memorandum of Understanding to contribute towards the cost of these plans.

Note: Employees on assignment through the Temporary Assignment Program (TAP) receive different benefits. See the list here.

MISCELLANEOUS RETIREMENT: County of Riverside has three retirement Tiers through the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS).

• Tier I (Classic Member - Formula 3% @ 60): Applicable to current and former County of Riverside local miscellaneous employees hired prior to 08/24/2012 and did not withdraw CalPERS contributions. The employee contribution is eight (8%) percent.
• Tier II (Classic Member - Formula 2% @ 60): Applicable to local miscellaneous employees 1) hired after 08/23/2012 through 12/31/2012; 2) Previously employed with another CalPERS contracting public agency or a reciprocal retirement system, with a break in service of less than six months between the separation date with the previous employer and the appointment date with the County of Riverside. The employee contribution is seven (7%) percent.
• Tier III (PEPRA New Member - Formula 2% @ 62): Applicable to CalPERS local miscellaneous new members hired on or after the implementation of the Public Employees Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) which took effect January 1, 2013. As of July 1, 2023, the employee contribution is 8.25% and subject to change annually.

A new member is defined as any of the following:

• A new hire who enters CalPERS membership for the first time on or after January 1, 2013, and who has no prior membership in any California Public Retirement System.
• A new hire who enters CalPERS membership for the first time on or after January 1, 2013, and who was a member with another California Public Retirement System prior to that date, but who is not subject to reciprocity upon joining CalPERS.
• A member who first established CalPERS membership prior to January 1, 2013, and who is rehired by a different CalPERS agency after a break in service of greater than six (6) months.

CalPERS refers to all members that do not fit within the definition of a new member as "classic members".

Contribution rates are subject to change based on the County of Riverside annual actuarial valuation.

Note:

This summary is for general information purposes only. Additional questions regarding retirement formulas can be sent to retirement@rivco.org or by calling the Benefits Information Line at (951) 955-4981,

Option 2.

If you have prior service credit with another CalPERS agency or within agencies, please contact CalPERS at (888) 225-7377 to determine which retirement tier would be applicable to you. CalPERS is governed by the Public Employees Retirement Law. The Retirement Law is complex and subject to change. If theres any conflict between this summary and the law, the law will prevail over this summary.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Voluntary employee contribution with a choice between two 457 deferred compensation plan options.

VACATION ACCRUAL (Bi-Weekly Accrual):

0 < 3 year = 80 Hours (10 Days)

4 < 9 years = 120 Hours (15 Days)

10 or more years = 160 Hours (20 Days)

Maximum Vacation leave accumulation is 480 hours.

SICK LEAVE: Four (4) hours Sick Leave accrual per pay period with unlimited accrual.

HOLIDAYS: Normally 12 paid holidays per year.

BEREAVEMENT LEAVE: Allowed 5 days (3 days are County paid; 2 additional days can be taken from accrued Sick Leave balance).

BASIC LIFE INSURANCE: Equal to one times annual base salary not to exceed $50,000 of term life coverage. Premiums are paid by the County. Additional Supplemental Life plan is available for employee purchase.

DISABILITY:

Employees contribute to State Disability Insurance (SDI), which provides wage replacement benefits for individuals who are unable to work due to non-work-related illness, injury, or pregnancy. SDI also includes Paid Family Leave Benefits. The wage replacement rate is determined by current law, offering 60-70% of the wages earned during the SDI eligibility period.

Additionally, employees receive employer-paid Long-Term Disability Benefits, which cover 66.67% of pre-disability earnings, up to a maximum of $10,000 per month. There is a 365-day waiting period before these benefits become active. Employees may coordinate these benefits with other available leave balances to receive up to 100% of their regular pay.

POST RETIREMENT MEDICAL CONTRIBUTION: A monthly contribution is made by the County towards retiree health insurance offered through the County as governed by the applicable SEIU Memorandum of Understanding.

OTHER: There may be other benefit provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding. Please contact the recruiter listed on the job posting directly for more information.

01

I understand this position is located in Idyllwild, CA, and I am willing to work at this location.

• Yes
• No

02

I understand the physical requirements of this position as stated in the job posting, and I am willing and able to perform these duties with or without a reasonable accommodation.

• Yes
• No

03

I understand the Park Aide - Parks work in an environment with exposure to animals which may include animal noise, odors, and dander.

• Yes
• No

04

Do you possess a high school diploma, G.E.D. equivalency or high school proficiency certificate?

• Yes
• No

05

Select the answer that best describes your current driver license status:

• I have a valid California Class C (or higher) license.
• I am able to obtain a valid California driver license.
• I currently have a valid out-of-state Class C license, and I am able to obtain a valid California driver license.
• I do not have and/or I am not able to obtain a California driver license.

06

Do you have at least one year of experience performing maintenance, operations, or routine administrative functions with a park or allied facility?

• Yes
• No

07

Have you completed upper division coursework, 30 semester units or 45 quarter units, from an accredited college, in Park Administration, Public or Business Administration, Resource or Land Management or Forestry? (You must submit an official or unofficial transcripts with this application. If your education was completed outside of the United States, you will need to provide a copy of your Foreign Education Equivalency evaluation.) Note: upper division coursework is typically taken by juniors and senior, and are primarily for majors.

• Yes
• No

08

How many years of work experience do you have presenting/communicating interpretive and educational information to children in a clear, understandable, and logical manner; working independently with minimal supervision; and establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with staff, docents, volunteers, children, parents, school teachers and administrators, and members of the public?

• None
• Less than 12 months
• One year or more, but less than 2
• 2 years or more, but less than 3
• 3 years or more, but less than 4
• 4 years or more

09

How many years of customer service experience do you possess?

• None
• Less than 12 months
• One year or more, but less than 2
• 2 years or more, but less than 3
• 3 years or more, but less than 4
• 4 years or more

10

Please select all that apply to your experience in assisting interpretive programs:

• None
• Assist in the care and feeding of animals used in interpretive programs.
• Assist in maintaining buildings, interpretive exhibits, or trails.
• Compile information and prepare a variety of reports, studies, and interpretive program materials.
• Develop and plan natural science, conservation, historical, or environmental education interpretive programs for parks, nature centers, or wildlife reserves.
• Organize volunteer or docents groups as assigned.
• Present or assist with the presentation of interpretive programs offered to the public.
• Set up and take down program props, materials, etc.

11

Do you have work experience involving cash handling?

• Yes
• No

12

In 2-4 sentences, please describe your experience working in a park, recreation, or similar setting. Include the employer, your role, duties performed, and the types of programs, facilities, or services you supported. If your experience was not full-time and year-round, include the average hours worked during each time period. If you do not possess this experience, type "N/A."

Required Question

Employer County of Riverside

Address County Admin. Center P.O. Box 1569

4080 Lemon St., 7th floor

Riverside, California, 92502-1569

Phone Contact Recruiter for Job Information

Website http://www.rc-hr.com