Challenge Course Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Contact: For questions about this position or how to apply, please contact Shawnda McBeth at [email protected]

Application Opening: January 30, 2026

Application Deadline: Apply Immediately. Application filing will be open at least through February 13,2026 and will close any time thereafter

Compensation: $26.2750 - $35.3875/Hour + Room and Board

Appointment Type: This position is a temporary exempt, as-needed appointment. This position is seasonal and will not result in a permanent civil service position. Employees serve at the will of the Appointing Officer. 

***If you are interested in a temporary as needed  appointment/position as a Recreation Leader in San Francisco, please go back to the City's recruitment page and look for Recreation Leader - San Francisco. ***

NOTE: Applicants must complete the supplemental questionnaire found in the "Steps to Apply" section of this job announcement in addition to submitting an application. Only applicants who submit both an application AND supplemental questionnaire will be considered for participation in the department's selection process.

About Us 
Amid a dynamic and ever-evolving urban landscape, theSan Francisco Recreation and Park Departmentstewards one of the premier urban park systems in America. In 2017, San Francisco became the first city in the nation where all residents have access to a park within a 10-minute walk, a direct result of the Department's commitment to increasing and improving parkland in the cityLearn More. Considered by San Franciscans to be one of the City's most popular and effective public agencies, our Department currently manages more than 230 parks, playgrounds and open spaces throughout San Francisco, including two outside city limits-Sharp Park in Pacifica and Camp Mather in the High Sierras. The system includes full-complex recreation centers, swimming pools, golf courses, sports fields and numerous small-to-medium-sizedclubhouses that offer a variety of sports- and arts-related recreation programs for people of all ages. Included in the Department's responsibilities areGolden Gate Park, Coit Tower,the Marina Yacht Harbor, the San Francisco Zoo and Lake Merced. 

More than 2,000 talented individuals are part of our team, from gardeners, foresters, and recreation leaders to park rangers, custodians, electricians, painters and more. Our core mission, as it has been throughout our history, is to provide opportunities for San Francisco residents and visitors alike to gather, play, learn, relax, and enjoy nature in the city. 

About Camp Mather 
Each summer, the Recreation and Park Department operates Camp Mather, a rustic family campground located near Yosemite National Park, about 3 hours east of San Francisco. Each week, approximately 500 campers enjoy a week-long stay filled with a wide range of recreation activities such as a supervised swimming pool, a scenic lake for water activities, guided hiking excursions, organized recreation programs, and evening campfire entertainment. Guests stay in cozy cabins, and enjoy 3 delicious meals each day, served cafeteria-style with a full salad bar and exceptional service. 

Learn more about Camp Mather on YouTube:https://youtu.be/2S_JZ4kKr5I. 

POSITION DESCRIPTION: The three Recreation Leader Levels are summarized below:

Under supervision of Recreation staff, 

Recreation Leader I performs facility monitoring work, light office tasks, customer service duties, and occasional janitorial tasks; assists with program delivery based upon interest and skills, etc. The Camp Mather assignment will work in the office and assist with Recreation activities (children's activities, camp fire, etc).

Recreation Leader II delivers exciting recreation programs and activities in group settings.  Programs may range from Arts, Sports to Expanded Learning. At Camp Mather, this may include office administration, camp recreation and Challenge (Ropes) Course (see below).

The Camp Mather Challenge (Ropes) course staff facilitates guest participation on both high and low ropes course elements. The staff member will assist or provide guidance and instruction to camp patrons on multiple aspects ( safety, equipment, course element progress, overcoming challenges, building confidence, and personal development). Staff members will work with participants of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. Work environment is outdoors with inclement weather conditions. Staff work approximately 40 hours over the course of 6 days per week. Work includes all aspects of preparing, maintaining, and operating a high ropes challenge course.   Note - due to operational circumstances, most of the Challenge Course assignments will be only at the Recreation Leader II level. Training on this course will be conducted in the middle of May.

Recreation Leader III is responsible for the delivery of all Certified recreation, leisure and sport programs and activities where we believe a certificate/advanced expertise is necessary. 

Distinguishing Feature: The Recreation Leader I performs program assistance and facility monitoring, while Leaders II and III are responsible for direct instruction of recreation, leisure and sport programs and activities. Recreation Leaders III provides program instruction at the higher level of skill/expertise as deemed necessary by the Department.

Common and Essential Job Duties: May also be responsible for the set up and take down of facility tables and chairs and occasional janitorial tasks, perform other related duties as required, etc.

2026 Camp Mather Dates:
May 16, 2026: Arrival at camp.Sunday and Monday are mandatory workdays - the one days off will be scheduled during the remainder of the week. 
September 11, 2026:Conclusion ofcamp assignment 
Policies and Expectations of Staff 
Employees are expected to followthe policies as described in the 2026 Camp Mather Workplace Policies. Failureto follow these policies may result in termination. 
WorkConditions at Camp Mather 
Housing and Meals:During employment, FREE meals and housing is provided to camp employees. Camp staff live in shared housing with 1-2 other camp staff. 

Nature of Work:Includes working both indoors and outdoors, exposure to sun, snow, rain, high/low temperatures, and potential wildfire smoke, and will regularly encounter bugs and insects. 

Work Schedule:Work schedule to be determined.Shifts include weekends and evenings. Overtime may be required. 

Work Location:Camp Mather is located in the High Sierra near Yosemite National Park about 3 hours east of San Francisco. The nearest town (Groveland) is located 50 mins away.

Transportation:Camp Mather employees are responsible for securing their own transportation to and from Camp Mather. Parking is available for personal vehicles. Public transportation and Rideshare Apps (Uber/Lyft) are limited and are not a reliable source because of our remote location. 

Cell Phone & Internet:Camp Mather hasVERY limited cellular and internet/Wi-Fi services available on its grounds. 

Every candidate must already possess:

A High School Diploma/GED (verified by either an official/unofficial institutional transcript or diploma/certificate) AND have minimum hours of experience for each level outlined below:

Recreation Leader I  $26.2750/hr.
* 500 hours of recreation experience delivering instructions/programs

Recreation Leader II  $26.5750/hr.
* 1,000 hours of direct experience delivering recreation, cultural or athletic instructions/programs.

Recreation Leader III  $35.3875/hr.
* 1,000 hours of direct experience delivering recreation, cultural or athletic instructions/programs AND hold a certificate in the specific area of expertise issued by a recognized professional organization (substitutions subject to approval) required by our department.

*If hired, the Department will determine your level of Recreation Leader based on our operational need, your experience/potential and your verification of your qualifying experience. The amount of hours that you do obtain will not be the sole measure.  

License and Certification: at a future point, all employees must possess a certification for First Aid/CPR.

Verification of Education and Experience: 
Every application is reviewed to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications as listed in the job ad. ReviewSF Careers Employment Applicationsfor considerations taken when reviewing applications. 

Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education verification is required, information on how to verify education requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found athttps://careers.sf.gov/knowledge/experience-education/. 
Note:Falsifying one's education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco. 

What else should I know? 

Steps to Apply:

After application submission, candidates deemed qualified must complete all subsequent steps to advance in this selection process, which includes the following:

*Please note that only applicants who submit both an application AND supplemental questionnaire will be considered for participation in the department's selection process.

- We will accept experience where you either assisted, coordinated, instructed, led or implemented activities for other people. This experience does not include being a private instructor for a sole individual or family (no private yoga instructor or nanny). 

1. Complete the required supplemental questionnaire: forms.office.com/g/860t7yX9XV .  Only applicationswith a submitted supplemental questionnaire will be reviewed for consideration in the department's selection process. 

2. Complete your application with as much detail as possible in the experience section. Please be sure to include all relevant training and experience in your application. It isessentialthat you provide complete information. A resume will not substitute for a completed application. If you write "see resume" on your application, your application may be rejected.

3. Request written verification of qualifying recreation experience. Please note that the written documentation must meet the City's written verification requirements: it must include your name, agency/employer, dates and/or approximate hours of involvement (volunteer time counts) and a brief description of duties performed. The verification must be signed or authorized by an individual with that agency/employer. We do not accept letters of recommendation. We will also accept emailed verification from official agency email addresses (@sfgov.org). Please submit verification documents to Shawnda McBeth at [email protected].

Please refer to the verification checklist for more information and examples:

3279 Rec Leader SF Verification Checklist

Selection Process:The selection process will include evaluation of applications in relation to the minimum qualifications and response to the Supplemental Questionnaire. Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement to the interview. Depending on the number of applicants, the Department may establish and implement additional screening mechanisms to comparatively evaluate the qualifications of candidates. If this becomes necessary, only those applicants whose qualifications most closely meet the needs of the Department will be invited for an interview. 

Important information

-These positions work as-needed, and are temporary exempt, as needed/seasonal appointments without city employee benefits.

-Exempt employees under Charter Category 16 are considered to be "at will" and serve at the discretion of the Appointing Officer.

-Employees may only be scheduled to work certain quarters/semesters depending on the operational needs of the Department. 

-Work assignments may vary depending on the needs of the Department. Some positions may require working rotating shifts, evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.

-This is an as-needed/seasonal, temporary exempt seasonal appointment and cannot exceed six (6) months or 1,040 hours (note: an internal departmental threshold of 960 hours may be applied).

- Successful candidates may NOT be guaranteed specific job placements, work site locations or fixed hours.

- The Department may determine that some candidates must call for daily assignments based on business operational needs.

Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco

• Information About the Hiring Process
• Conviction History
• Employee Benefits Overview  
• Equal Employment Opportunity 
• Disaster Service Worker
• ADA Accommodation
• Veterans Preference
• Right to Work
• Copies of Application Documents
• Diversity Statement

Candidates for positions with the Recreation and Park Department may be disqualified from consideration should their conviction history not meet the standards established under California Public Resources Code 5164.

Where to Apply 
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