The California State Parks are offering visitor service park aid jobs at the Folsom Lake State Park and ranger/lifeguard positions statewide.The visitor service park aid jobs include gate work, traffic control and maintenance around the State Park areas of the lake. Lifeguard/rangers are trained peace officers that tackle a wide variety of duties ranging from rescues, teaching in the community, underwater diving and assisting State Park visitors.According to Ranger Brian Robertson, there has been an explosion in job opportunities with the State Parks, including opportunities with the competitive ranger/lifeguard position.

“Recreation has become a huge industry,” Robertson said.

Because of the increased popularity of State Parks in recent years, there is a need for a larger work force to handle the problems that come with the large numbers of visitors, he said. There are currently 150 ranger/lifeguard positions offered each year, compared with 30 to 40 several years ago, according to Robertson.

“Now you have a really good shot at getting [a ranger/lifeguard position] the first time you apply,” Robertson said.

State Park employees are also coming from increasingly different backgrounds.

“Now we are getting a workforce that has come from several different careers,” Ranger Scott Liske said.

Robertson, a ranger/lifeguard himself, said that working for the State Parks has given him a level of job satisfaction that he did not experience in previous careers in the private sector.

In addition to offering flexible hours and both full and part time positions, the park aid jobs at Folsom Lake offer valuable experience in the industry, Robertson said.

“It introduces people to a work environment that a lot of people do not realize is out there,” Robertson said.

Robertson estimates that there are 15 to 20 park aid positions currently available in Folsom.All park aid jobs have starting wages of $9.32 per hour and are available over the summer and year round.

For both its ranger/lifeguard and park aid positions, the State Parks are looking for students that have completed at least 60 units of college General Education coursework and can pass a comprehensive background investigation.

“We are looking for people who are interested in being outdoors,” Robertson said.

There is a six-month Peace Officer Standard Training academy and an additional ten weeks in field training in order to become a ranger/lifeguard. For further information on the ranger/lifeguard position, contact the Recruitment Office at 654-0734.

For more information on the park aid positions, contact Ranger Gibson at (916) 988-0205 or visit the State Park office at 7806 Auburn-Folsom Road in Folsom.

“Anyone who is interested can come out for a ride-along,” Robertson said.Robertson and Liske will be on the floor at the Sacramento State Job Fair on Feb. 21.