Position Information
The Sonoma County Regional Parks Department is looking for energetic individuals enrolled in workforce development programs to complete ecological restoration and park infrastructure and maintenance projects!Are you interested in working outdoors? Do you enjoy hands-on projects? Is being of service to your community and the environment important to you?
Please note: To be considered for this opportunity, you must be enrolled in a formal workforce development program. Examples: Conservation Corps North Bay, SAY (Social Advocates for Youth), etc.
As part of the twenty-four (24) week program, you will be provided with meaningful, paid work experience, environmental education and recreation experiences, the opportunity to explore outdoor careers and develop work-readiness skills.
As a Work Experience Intern, you will participate in structured on-the-job training assignments in various Regional Parks units and learn about their functions and procedures. Work Experience interns learn how to perform a wide variety of tasks supporting natural resources, park maintenance, community engagement, and park planning efforts. Some of the daily projects could include learning how to:
- remove fencing barriers for wildlife, build fences, and install park benches
- conduct wildfire fuel abatement
- support public park programs
- construct trails
Regional Parks preserves irreplaceable natural and cultural resources, and offers opportunities for recreation and education to enhance the quality of life and well-being of residents and visitors to Sonoma County. The Community Engagement Division plans and delivers a large collection of programs throughout the entire county. There are over 78,000 annual program participants in one or more of Sonoma County Regional Park’s interpretive, recreation, environmental education, outreach, volunteer, youth career pathways, and special event programs.
The environmental education philosophy at Regional Parks is that early experiences in nature support lifelong connections to the outdoors. Since 2002, school fieldtrips have increased student and family awareness, advocacy, and stewardship, furthering Regional Parks’ mission. Environmental education fosters an environmentally literate community through place-based, interactive learning experiences tied with state curriculum standards. Environmental literacy depends on skills and knowledge drawn from the sciences and humanities using inquiry-based learning strategies. We offer a diverse range of curriculum for grades K-8 in concepts related to ecology, biology, earth science, watershed health, climate change and cultural history. Field trip programs are offered at numerous parks across the county with field staff headquartered at the Environmental Discovery Center (EDC) at Spring Lake Regional Park and a developing visitor center in Bodega Bay.
EMPLOYMENT Interns are not in the classified civil service and do not have property rights to permanently allocated positions. In addition, they do not receive most employee benefits such as: long-term disability insurance coverage; accrual of vacation and sick leave; participation in the County retirement program; or eligibility to take promotional examinations. Paid interns may meet the eligibility requirements (generally worked 11 consecutive pay periods with a minimum of 440 hours and are scheduled at least 40 hours per pay period) to qualify for a County contribution toward medical coverage. Dependent coverage may also be available at employee's cost.
Interns may not work in excess of 1560 hours in a twelve-month period.APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.Minimum Qualifications
Education: Current enrollment as a participant in a formal workforce development program.
Experience: None required.
License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including necessary endorsements as required by the State of California may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential functions of the position.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Some knowledge of: basic customer service skills; general goals and purposes of county and departmental programs, services, and operations; and basic occupational hazards and standard safety practices.
Ability to: Understand and follow oral and written instructions; work under supervision; learn and perform assigned tasks and routines; establish and maintain harmonious work relationships with co-workers and the general public; work in an efficient and safe manner.
Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying
Applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed to ensure candidates meet the minimum requirements for the position. Candidates possessing these requirements will be referred to the department for further consideration. The hiring department will contact candidates who appear to best meet the requirements and needs of the position and take further steps in making a selection for the internship.
If selected, candidates must show proof of current enrollment as a participant in a workforce development program.Please visit Getting a Job with the County of Sonoma to review more detailed information about the application, examination, and department selection processes.
APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.ADDITIONAL INFORMATION A background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to applicants.
Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer are contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the Job Classification Screening Schedule to determine the requirements for this position.
HOW TO APPLY Applications are accepted online at www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org . Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job bulletin must be RECEIVED by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Continuous recruitments may close without notice at any time that a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.
The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.
HR Analyst: JT
HR Technician: KK
IMPORTANT NOTE: Benefits described herein do not apply to Extra Help positions.
COUNTY OF SONOMA BENEFITS: UNREPRESENTED*These are some of the excellent benefits the County offers:
Paid Time Off :Competitive vacation accrual and sick leave accruals; additional management leave annually; 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year; and may be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment.
Health Plan :Choice of five health plans (a PPO, EPO, HMO, and two deductible HMOs) with a County paid premium contribution.
Retirement :Fully integrated with Social Security.For more information regarding eligibility, retirement contributions, and reciprocity with prior public service, please visit https://scretire.org/active-/-deferred/when-you-are-hired .
IRS 457 Plan :Pre-tax employee contribution up to the IRS annual maximum.
Retiree Medical :County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits.
Student Loan Debt Relief :County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education.
Plus excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, professional development, and more.
For answers to specific questions regarding the employment process and more details about benefits or retirement, please contact Human Resources at (707) 565-2331.Additional details about benefit and compensation packages can be found in the MOUs located at https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/human-resources/divisions-and-units/employee-relations/labor-agreements-and-salary-resolution . For specific information about health and welfare benefits including plan options, coverage, and premium amounts go to https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/human-resources or, contact the Human Resources' Risk Management-Benefits Office at benefits@sonoma-county.org or (707) 565-2900.
*IMPORTANT NOTES: Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice.
Closing Date/Time: Continuous
