Hiking Guide Entry Level Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Application Opening: Friday, February 06, 2026

Application Deadline: Apply Immediately. Application filing will be open at least through February 20, 2026 and will close any time thereafter.

Compensation: $30.7125/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.

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, the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department stewards 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 city Learn 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-sized clubhouses that offer a variety of sports- and arts-related recreation programs for people of all ages. Included in the Department's responsibilities are Golden 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.

The 2650 Assistant Cook is the entry-level position within the Cook series. The 2650 Assistant Cook is distinguished from the 2654 Cook in that the former performs more routine preparatory kitchen duties, whereas the latter performs more difficult and responsible kitchen duties such as menu preparation, supply sourcing, forecasting, and administrative functions.

Examples of Essential Duties

• Prepares, cooks and serves a wide variety of food stuffs for large quantity service according to preplanned menus, including special diet items.
• Assists or relieves cooks when directed.
• Directs and participates in the cleaning of the kitchen area and equipment.

2026 Camp Mather Dates:
April 19, 2026: Arrival at camp
September 25, 2026:Conclusion ofcamp assignment 

Policies and Expectations of Staff

Employees are expected to follow the policies as described in the Camp Mather 2026 Workplace Policies and Expectations.  Failure to follow these policies may result in termination.

Working Conditions at Camp Mather 

Housing and Meals: during employment, FREE meals and housing is provided to camp employees. Camp staff live in shared housing with up to 1-2 other camp staff.

Nature of work: includes working both indoors and outdoors, exposure to sun and high temperatures, and will regularly encounter bugs and insects.

Work Schedule: The work week is typically five (5) days. Kitchen staff may be required to work an alternate work schedule consisting of 10 - 12 hour shifts with appropriate breaks or work six (6) days (limited to 40 hours in a work week), during the high season to accommodate the needs of the department. Shifts may also include weekends and evenings. Sunday and Monday are mandatory workdays - the one days off will be scheduled during the remainder of the week. 

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 has VERY limited cellular and Internet/Wi-Fi services available on its grounds.

Kitchen staff will be working with various cleaning chemicals as part of the position requirements. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience: One (1) year of work experience in the preparation and serving of food in a setting such as a hospital, correctional facility, the military, hotel, restaurant or equivalent food service establishment.

Education: Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent (GED or High School Proficiency Examination).

Substitution: One (1) year of the required experience can be substituted by any of the following: completion of a one (1) year culinary arts certificate program; or completion of an apprenticeship program certified by a nationally recognized culinary arts organization; or possession of an Associate's degree in culinary arts.

Supplemental Information: Some physical strength is required in lifting and carrying food, cooking supplies and equipment; also requires ability to stand for long periods of time; manual dexterity in the use and operation of kitchen appliances and equipment; work weekends and evenings.

NOTE: Selected candidates will be required to obtain a ServSafe certificate or California Food Handler Card prior to appointment.

Verification of Education and Experience: Every application is reviewed to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications as listed in the job ad. Review SF Careers Employment Applications for 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 at https://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:

1. Complete the required supplemental questionnaire: https://forms.office.com/g/GpuMPqEkdi .Only applications with 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 is essential that 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.

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.

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
• 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

All job applications for the City and County of San Francisco must be submitted through our online portal. Please visit https://careers.sf.gov/ to begin your application process.

Computers are available for the public (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday) to file online applications in the lobby of the Dept. of Human Resources at 1 South Van Ness Avenue, 4th Floor and at the City Career Center at City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 110.

Ensure your application information is accurate, as changes may not be possible after submission. Your first and last name must match your legal ID for verification, and preferred names can be included in parentheses. Use your personal email address, not a shared or work email, to avoid unfixable issues.

Applicants will receive a confirmation email from [email protected] that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.