Wilderness Guide Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Salary: See Position Description
Location : Various Locations, CA
Job Type: Full-time (40 hrs)
Job Number: 26-REG-CS-20
Division: Operations
Department: REG INTERP & REC SVCS MGR - NW
Opening Date: 07/22/2026
Closing Date: 8/12/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
The Position
The Park District is currently recruiting for one Supervising Naturalist I vacancy at Del Valle Regional Park. Additionally, we anticipate a second vacancy at Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve Visitor Centers. The hiring pools established from this recruitment will be used to fill the current vacancy and any additional Supervising Naturalist I/II vacancies that may occur during the one-year life of the hiring pools.
Del Valle Regional Park has a 5-mile long lake with many opportunities to enjoy nature and for recreation - swimming, boating, fishing, and camping are available at the park. The interpretive team connects with visitors around the park, at the visitor center, along the shoreline, on boat tours, and in the campground.
Sunol Regional Wilderness is a vast parkland where visitors can discover nature along the Alameda Creek, amongst magnificent rock outcroppings, and rolling hills. The interpretive team connects with visitors at the visitor center, on the trails, and with a Mobile Visitor Center at community events.
Recruitment Timeline
Minimum Qualifications Screening: Week of August 10
Onsite Oral Panel Interviews: Week of August 31 (likely September 2)
Selection Interviews: Mid to Late September
**All dates are tentative and subject to change.
ABOUT US:
The East Bay Regional Park District is a system of beautiful parklands in Alameda and Contra Costa counties to the east of San Francisco. The system comprises 73 parks spanning across 126,809 acres; 1,330 miles of trails; 55 miles of shoreline. We manage and preserve natural and cultural resources for all to enjoy and protect. The regional parks are ideal for healthful recreation and environmental education. Learn about our , , and our contributions to the
OUR MISSION:
EBRPD preserves a rich heritage of natural and cultural resources and provides open space, parks, trails, safe and healthful recreation and environmental education. An environmental ethic guides the District in all of its activities.
OUR VALUES:

• Respect - We honor the land we steward, each other, and the park visitors we serve.
• Resilience - We creatively adapt to change. We address challenges with empathy, perspective, and determination.
• Relationships - Our greatest strength lies in the trust, accountability, and teamwork we cultivate with our colleagues, partners, and the public we serve.
• Responsiveness - We communicate openly, honestly, and reliably.
• Transparency - We hold the public's trust through meaningful stakeholder engagement and access to timely and reliable information on decisions and performance.

WHY WORK FOR EBRPD?

• Work with a purpose for a better world today and for future generations through the preservation of open space, public access to the outdoors, and a commitment to the conservation of the natural world found east of the San Francisco Bay across 33 cities in Alameda and Contra Costa counties
• A community of colleagues who are passionate about public service and the East Bay Regional Park District, the communities it serves, and its mission
• Excellent benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending, and pension benefits through California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). Click here fordetails regarding additional benefits
• Tuition reimbursement and professional development
• Free on-site parking
• Free parking permit for EBRPD parks (for up to 2 privately owned vehicles)
• Employee discounts for certain EBRPD park amenities (reservations, daily fishing permit, public boat launch)

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING:Under general supervision, a Supervising Naturalist supervises the operation of natural and cultural history programs and interpretive facilities for school groups and the general public (Supervising Naturalist I) or an interpretive park and interpretive programs, facilities, operations, and maintenance (Supervising Naturalist II) including the interpretive, concession contracts and volunteer components; represents the Park District to educate the public, protect natural resources and supervise staff.
Supervising Naturalists are responsible for interpretive services in one of the following sectors: Northwest, Northeast, Central, Southwest, Southeast, Delta sectors, Mobile Education, and Ardenwood Regional Preserve.
Supervising Naturalists are classified into two levels (I and II) based upon the interpretive facilities, operation, size, staffing, budget, and other criteria as identified by the East Bay Regional Park District (Park District). The Supervising Naturalist I is further distinguished from the Supervising Naturalist II, in that the latter also oversees park maintenance operations at an assigned site.
SALARY RANGE:
Supervising Naturalist I (current vacancy): $55.50/hour - $62.79/hour
Supervising Naturalist II (no current vacancies, but pooled candidates could be contacted for this position in the future): $61.27/hour - $69.32/hour
IDEAL CANDIDATE:

• Ability to oversee an interpretive operation, including knowledge of program design, interpretive facility management, and interpretive principles
• Ability to supervise and train staff
• Experience working with other departments and organizations to achieve shared goals
• Enjoys educating the public about our natural and cultural resources and parklands in the East Bay Area
• Wants to be a part of the growth and development of our Interpretive professionals
• Is an excellent communicator who can collaborate with other park district staff and departments as needed

Essential Functions

• Supervises the park's comprehensive interpretive, maintenance and operation functions
• Coordinates with other supervisors and Park District staff to develop and implement interpretive goals and plans
• Sets program priorities for staff, including supervisory, interpretive, maintenance and support staff
• Oversees the safety program for the park and/or facility, including maintaining a safe work environment, ensuring staff attend mandatory trainings, conducting safety meetings and initiating the response to dangerous park and visitor related emergencies
• May act as a second level supervisor for other park staff
• Supervises docent and volunteer programs
• Collaborates with the Cultural Resources Coordinator to establish goals, themes and standards for natural and cultural history programs and exhibits
• Provides guidance to interpretive staff to create an appropriate balance between fee and free programs
• Assures the maintenance and protection of natural and cultural resources and ensures resource protection messages are provided in interpretive programs
• Develops and oversees facilities maintenance and program contracts
• Serves as a Park District representative and/or liaison to municipalities, agencies, and community groups
• Collaborates with school, city, and other agency representatives to facilitate and develop programs
• Represents the Park District at professional and community meetings
• Encourages staff to develop specific outreach programs
• Reviews the content of interpretive lectures, programs, tours, exhibits, displays, and classes prepared by staff; may personally plan and conduct same
• Supervises and oversees the facility's special events
• Researches, writes and reviews written material (flyers, brochures, notices, articles, and booklets)
• Promotes that park's interpretive services
• May set goals and standards for park staff for the operation and maintenance of the park
• Develops and maintains expertise in cultural and natural history resources through research and field studies
• Oversees the sales operations and financial activities of the interpretive facility
• Directs the maintenance of visitor centers and interpretive facilities
• Assists in the procurement of grant funding
• Oversees the care and maintenance of exhibit and educational animals including reptiles, amphibians, farm animals and fish, as necessary
• Performs administrative and supervisory tasks required to do all of the above, such as selects, hires, trains and supervises staff
• Prepares, administers and maintains an annual budget and marketing plan
• Maintains records
• Provides monthly, annual and other reports as required

Minimum Qualifications
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Education: A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Natural Science, Cultural History, Parks and Recreation Management or related field;
AND
Experience: Four years of recent field experience in interpretive work relating to conservation or wildlife management, including two years in a supervisory or lead role;
Desirable: Training in marketing, budgeting and contract management;
OR
Substitution: A Master's Degree in one of the above fields may be substituted for one of the required years of non-supervisory/lead interpretive experience.
License or Certificate: Possession of a valid Class C California Driver's License is a condition of initial and continued employment in this classification.
Additional Information
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.
Knowledge of: Principles, methods and techniques of interpretation; natural and cultural history of the Park District's interpretive sectors;local, state and federal laws applicable to natural resource management; Park District's Equal Employment Opportunity Policy objectives; a supervisor's role in the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy objectives and the processes available to meet objectives;, safe work environments and cultural resource preservation; principles and practices of effective supervision; office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.
Ability to: Exercise sound judgment,; effectively contribute to the Park District's Equal Employment Policy objectives, supervise, train, motivate and evaluate staff; develop, write and administer concession, special event and vendor agreements and contracts; plan, organize and implement a variety of interpretive and education programs; strategically plan for the long-term development of the park;; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work at all levels, including a culturally diverse general public, with a focus on quality service to internal staff and external customers and park users.
Conditions of Employment:

• Must pass a Level 1 Background check.
• Required to wear a Park District uniform.
• May be required to work unusual hours, weekends and holidays in a variety of work environments.
• Possession of an Interpretive Guide certificate from the National Association of Interpretation must be obtained within one year of appointment. Failure to obtain or maintain certifications, licenses and credentials could result in the incumbent being removed from the position.

Union Affiliation: East Bay Regional Parks Employees, Local 2428, American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME), AFL-CIO, represents this classification. Wages, hours, and other terms of conditions of employment are covered in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Park District and Local 2428. The probationary period for this classification is nine (9) months.
Application materials for this position consist of two (2) required parts:
1. East Bay Regional Park District application submitted online
2. Completion of the supplemental questions
Apply prior to the closing time of the job announcement and allow at least an hour to submit your application if you are a new user on the system. APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED ONLINE ONLY. Our online application system is provided by NeoGov. If you have problems while applying online, please contact the Help Desk toll-free at (855) 524-5627.
Notification: All applicants will be notified of the disposition of their application via email, generally within two to three weeks after the closing date. You may also sign into your GovernmentJobs.com account to view your current application status and notifications or reach out to HR Analyst, Christina Souza (csouza@ebparks.org) if you have any questions.
Selection Process: The application material for all applicants meeting the minimum qualifications will be reviewed by a screening panel to select the best qualified for an interview or testing. The Park District reserves the right to set up a written test, performance test, and/or other assessment procedures before or after the interview process. Possession of minimum qualifications does not guarantee an interview or invitation to test. Pursuant to the Federal Immigration and Reform Act of 1986, all applicants who are hired will be required to provide proof of identity and appropriate work authorization documents prior to commencement of employment. The individual chosen for hire must be