Parks Seek Youth for Summer Jobs

Although hundreds of students are out of school for the summer, the Ventura County Parks Department can’t find enough workers.

“I don’t know where they are,” said Pam Gallo, parks operations supervisor.

Part of the problem, Gallo said, is a hiring freeze imposed earlier this year that kept her from making traditional recruiting visits to area high schools. As a result, many students did not learn about the jobs before school let out.

Last week, the freeze was lifted, allowing the parks department to hire aides to ease the workload on park rangers and maintenance staff during the busy summer months. Officials are expecting more park visitors this year, because higher gas prices may keep people closer to home, Gallo said.

The parks department has part-time positions available in Camarillo, Santa Paula and Ojai. Park aides collect fees at entrances, explain rules to visitors and perform light maintenance duties, such as picking up trash and sweeping.

These entry-level jobs pay $7.80 an hour for 16 hours each week, Gallo said.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old and a recent high school graduate or enrolled in a college working toward a degree.

Aides will be required to work both July 4 and Labor Day.

“It’s a great job,” said Gallo, a 17-year veteran of the county park system. “You get to dress in uniform and act as ambassadors to our local parks.”

The jobs begin June 29 and continue through the first week in September.

For more information, call 654-3934.