Job Description
The Park Host Program offers enthusiastic and interested volunteers the chance to stay and enjoy Santa Barbara County’s beautiful and diverse parks while learning about park operations and visitor services. Hosts are needed year round in Santa Barbara County at both the camping and day use parks.
As a Park Host, you will represent County Parks by greeting the public and helping set the tone for an enjoyable stay. Hosts assist park staff and perform a variety of tasks depending on the park and type of assignment. Hosts should enjoy working with the public, have the desire to accept new challenges and possess the willingness to learn about County parks.
Hosts receive a free recreational vehicle camping site with hook-ups in exchange for performing approximately 20 hours per week of park-related work. The typical Park Host assignment is 90 days. This may be extended for two additional 90 day periods at the Park manager’s discretion. Thereafter Park Hosts must leave the park for a period of not less than 90 days before they can reapply for the same park.
The tasks that our hosts perform vary from park to park, depending upon the specific need of that park.
Camp Host
Camp hosts assist at overnight and day-use parks. They greet campers, answer questions and perform light maintenance particular to the park. Examples of these tasks are picking up litter, raking campsites, mowing lawns or cleaning bathrooms. Hosts may assist with other projects around the park based on the park’s needs and the hosts’ skills and interests.
Nature Guide Hosts
Cachuma Lake has a thriving variety of natural history programs throughout the year. Nature Guide hosts may assist the naturalist staff with natural history presentations, guiding nature walks and junior ranger programs, guiding school and community groups, and preparing educational materials. They also help with various office tasks and light maintenance.
Marina Host
Marina hosts check in boaters seeking to launch, inform them about park facilities and moorage, assist with the invasive species prevention program, alert boaters of weather conditions, and let them know about unique areas to explore.
Maintenance Host
Maintenance hosts assist park staff with various maintenance projects around the park. This may include lawn maintenance, building maintenance, trail work or special projects. Volunteers may use their own skills such as carpentry or mechanics to