Park Operations Manager at Padre Dam Municipal Water District — Santee, San Diego County
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🅿️ Campground & RV Park
Seasonal
Verified listing from Padre Dam Municipal Water District via Adzuna
Job Description
Description Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve is a 190-acre preserve located in East County, San Diego. The campground operates 365 days a year and features seven unique man-made lakes, 300 full hook-up campsites, 10 cabins, and miles of scenic walking trails. Opened in 1961, Santee Lakes has spent more than six decades serving generations of families and creating lasting memories in the great outdoors. If you're a passionate leader who thrives on delivering exceptional customer services and bel…
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Work camping in California — common questions
What's the typical work-camping season in California?
California's sheer size makes "season" a function of which California you're in. Coastal Northern California and the Bay Area run April through October. The Sierra (Yosemite, Tahoe, Sequoia) is essentially a June-September season because of snow. Southern California's coastal and inland-valley campgrounds run year-round. Desert California (Anza-Borrego, Joshua Tree, Death Valley) runs October through April — summer is unsafe. Fire season (typically July-October) can shorten or complicate summer positions in the foothills.
What pay range should I expect for camp jobs in California?
Pay rates for California work-camping positions cluster between $16.90/hour and $25.00/hour for most positions, based on listings currently in our database. Camp host roles that include a free RV site typically pay at the lower end. Maintenance, front-desk lead, and activities-coordinator positions pay at the higher end. Some volunteer state-park host positions trade work hours for a free full-hookup site instead of a paycheck — the site itself is often worth $600-$1,500/month in equivalent value.
Do California campgrounds typically provide an RV site?
California state park host sites are highly varied — coastal park positions often have spectacular ocean-view sites, while inland positions may be more basic. Private campgrounds in Northern California command premium rates, so a free host site there is worth substantially more than the equivalent in cheaper markets. Cost-of-living outside the campground is high, so the no-rent benefit is more valuable here than almost anywhere else in the country.
Which California state parks hire work campers?
Yes — California State Parks runs one of the largest host programs in the country, with positions across coastal, mountain, desert, and historic-park settings. Hosts typically contribute about 20 hours per week (varies by park) in exchange for a campsite. Apply via the VIPP application (DPR 208H) directly to the park(s) you want. A criminal background check may be required for certain assignments. The full handbook is at parks.ca.gov.