California State Parks Student Employment Program

The California State Parks Student Employment Program offers paid, entry-level jobs with the state park agency for high school, college, and graduate students. Positions include youth aides, student assistants for undergraduates, and graduate student assistants. Students earn money for their work, and some may also be able to receive credit toward graduation. Jobs are offered both during the school year and in the summer. Openings can come up at the department's headquarters in Sacramento and at most of its district offices and facilities in California. Some specialized roles are aimed at students studying engineering or architecture and at second-year law students, who work closely with experienced professionals in those fields. The program's main page lists a Student Employment Program Coordinator in the Personnel office in Sacramento for general questions. Students drawn to park work may also want to look at the agency's separate Ranger Cadet and Lifeguard Cadet programs.

Must be currently enrolled in high school, college, or graduate school. Most roles call for little or no prior work experience. There is no single application or central deadline. Hiring is handled separately by each district and division office, so interested students need to contact those offices directly to ask whether they are currently recruiting student assistants.