Camp Assistant (3264) - Camp Mather 2026 (Outside of San Francisco) - Rec & Parks
- Job Code and Title: 3264-Camp Assistant
- Fill Type: Temporary Exempt
Company Description
NOTE A: Applicants must complete the supplemental questionnaire found in the Steps to Apply section of this job announcement in addition to submitting an application. Only applicants who submit both an application AND supplemental questionnaire will be considered for participation in the department's selection process.
NOTE B: This 3264 Camp Assistant position doesn’t work with camp guests. This position works primarily in the kitchen/dining area (serves food, buses tables, washes dishes, etc.)
Application Opening: Friday, January 30, 2026
Application Deadline: Apply Immediately. Application filing will be open at least through February 20, 2026 and will close any time thereafter.
Compensation: $26.2750/hour + Room and Board
Appointment Type: This position is a temporary exempt, as-needed appointment. This position is seasonal and will not result in a permanent civil service position. Employees serve at the will of the Appointing Officer.
About Us
Amid a dynamic and ever-evolving urban landscape, the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department stewards one of the premier urban park systems in America. In 2017, San Francisco became the first city in the nation where all residents have access to a park within a 10-minute walk, a direct result of the Department’s commitment to increasing and improving parkland in the city Learn More. Considered by San Franciscans to be one of the City’s most popular and effective public agencies, our Department currently manages more than 230 parks, playgrounds and open spaces throughout San Francisco, including two outside city limits—Sharp Park in Pacifica and Camp Mather in the High Sierras. The system includes full-complex recreation centers, swimming pools, golf courses, sports fields and numerous small-to-medium-sized clubhouses that offer a variety of sports- and arts-related recreation programs for people of all ages. Included in the Department’s responsibilities are Golden Gate Park, Coit Tower, the Marina Yacht Harbor, the San Francisco Zoo and Lake Merced.
More than 2,000 talented individuals are part of our team, from gardeners, foresters, and recreation leaders to park rangers, custodians, electricians, painters and more. Our core mission, as it has been throughout our history, is to provide opportunities for San Francisco residents and visitors alike to gather, play, learn, relax, and enjoy nature in the city.
About Camp Mather
Each summer, the Recreation and Park Department operates Camp Mather, a rustic family campground located near Yosemite National Park, about 3 hours east of San Francisco. Each week, approximately 500 campers enjoy a week-long stay filled with a wide range of recreation activities such as a supervised swimming pool, a scenic lake for water activities, guided hiking excursions, organized recreation programs, and evening campfire entertainment. Guests stay in cozy cabins, and enjoy 3 delicious meals each day, served cafeteria-style with a full salad bar and exceptional service.
Learn more about Camp Mather on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2S_JZ4kKr5I.
Job Description
Under supervision, Camp Assistants work with other camp staff to ensure guests experience a sense of community and enjoy a wonderful vacation. This position requires a high level of physical effort as well as strong customer-service skills.
Examples of Essential Duties
- Works steam tables, serves food, buses tables, washes and stacks dishes, and cleans flatware;
- Cleans cabins, dining hall kitchen, and other camp facilities, including sweeping and mopping floors, washing windows and scrubbing washrooms;
- Cleans the campgrounds;
- Participates in the staff talent show and staff versus guest athletic activities;
- Unloads and loads trucks, and moves furniture and supplies; and
- Helps the Chef, Assistant Cooks, and Food Service Workers as needed.
Available Work Assignments: Camp Mather operates in three phases. Applicants are available to apply for any or all camp phases, however, hiring priority is given to those who can work the main high season AND either early crew or wrap-up crew, in part or in full.
- April 19 to May 16 (Early Crew)
- May 17 to August 15 (High Season)
- August 16 to September 25 (Wrap-Up Crew)
Policies and Expectations of Staff
Employees are expected to follow the policies as described in the 2026 Camp Mather Pre-Hire Policies. Failure to follow these policies may result in termination.
Work Conditions at Camp Mather
Housing and Meals: During employment, FREE meals and housing is provided to camp employees. Camp staff live in shared housing with other camp staff.
Nature of Work: Includes working both indoors and outdoors, exposure to sun, snow, rain, high/low temperatures, and potential wildfire smoke & wild animals, and will regularly encounter bugs and insects.
Work Schedule: The workweek is six (6) days, comprising of small shifts throughout the day. Shifts include weekends, early mornings and evenings. Overtime may be required.
Work Location: Camp Mather is located in the High Sierra near Yosemite National Park about 3 hours east of San Francisco.
Transportation: Camp Mather employees are responsible for securing their own transportation to and from Camp Mather. Parking is available for personal vehicles. Public transportation and Rideshare Apps (Uber/Lyft) are limited and are not a reliable source because of our remote location.
Cell Phone & Internet: Camp Mather has VERY limited cellular and internet/Wi-Fi services available on its grounds.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
- Applicant must be age 18 or older at the time of hire;
- Possess a High School diploma or equivalent, at the time of hire;
- Ability to work with and live around coworkers and guests, of all ages, backgrounds and beliefs;
- Ability to communicate effectively in written and verbal form;
- Good physical condition and ability to lift up to 50 pounds;
- Ability to maintain a neat and clean appearance at all times;
- Ability to provide great customer service to guests in a friendly and helpful manner;
- For kitchen staff: ServSafe certificate or California Food Handler Card
Desirable Qualifications:
- ServSafe Certificate or California Food Handler Card;
- Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED certification
- Lifeguarding w/ CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and First Aid certification
- Citizen or Neighborhood Emergency Response Team Training.
- Valid CA Driver License
Verification of Education and Experience:
Every application is reviewed to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications as listed in the job ad. Review SF Careers Employment Applications for considerations taken when reviewing applications.
Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education verification is required, information on how to verify education requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at https://careers.sf.gov/knowledge/experience-education/.
Note: Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.
Additional Information
What else should I know?
Steps to Apply:
- Complete the required supplemental questionnaire: https://forms.office.com/g/VaKKXxbUcP. Only applications with a submitted supplemental questionnaire will be reviewed for consideration in the department's selection process.
- Complete your application with as much detail as possible in the experience section. Please be sure to include all relevant training and experience in your application. It is essential that you provide complete information. A resume will not substitute for a completed application. If you write "see resume" on your application, your application may be rejected.
Selection Process: The selection process will include evaluation of applications in relation to the minimum qualifications and response to the Supplemental Questionnaire. Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement to the interview. Depending on the number of applicants, the Department may establish and implement additional screening mechanisms to comparatively evaluate the qualifications of candidates. If this becomes necessary, only those applicants whose qualifications most closely meet the needs of the Department will be invited for an interview.
What else should I know?
Steps to Apply:
- Complete the required supplemental questionnaire: https://forms.office.com/g/VaKKXxbUcP. Only applications with a submitted supplemental questionnaire will be reviewed for consideration in the department's selection process.
- Complete your application with as much detail as possible in the experience section. Please be sure to include all relevant training and experience in your application. It is essential that you provide complete information. A resume will not substitute for a completed application. If you write "see resume" on your application, your application may be rejected.
Selection Process: The selection process will include evaluation of applications in relation to the minimum qualifications and response to the Supplemental Questionnaire. Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement to the interview. Depending on the number of applicants, the Department may establish and implement additional screening mechanisms to comparatively evaluate the qualifications of candidates. If this becomes necessary, only those applicants whose qualifications most closely meet the needs of the Department will be invited for an interview.
Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:
- Information About the Hiring Process
- Conviction History
- Employee Benefits Overview
- Equal Employment Opportunity
- Disaster Service Worker
- ADA Accommodation
- Right to Work
- Copies of Application Documents
- Diversity Statement
Candidates for positions with the Recreation and Park Department may be disqualified from consideration should their conviction history not meet the standards established under California Public Resources Code 5164.
Where to Apply
All job applications for the City and County of San Francisco must be submitted through our online portal. Please visit https://careers.sf.gov/ to begin your application process.
Computers are available for the public (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday) to file online applications in the lobby of the Dept. of Human Resources at 1 South Van Ness Avenue, 4th Floor and at the City Career Center at City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 110.
Ensure your application information is accurate, as changes may not be possible after submission. Your first and last name must match your legal ID for verification, and preferred names can be included in parentheses. Use your personal email address, not a shared or work email, to avoid unfixable issues.
Applicants will receive a confirmation email from [email protected] that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.
If you have any questions, you may contact Ian Talley at [email protected]. Recruitment ID: RTF0163318-00121298
The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.