
Employment Opportunities
Thank you for your interest in Onondaga County Parks. Our current openings are listed below.
Please contact the park for more information about the specifics of each job.
- Applicants for all positions, except lifeguards, must be at least 18 years old and be willing to work a flexible schedule including nights & weekends. Most positions, except where indicated, are available immediately.
- Feel free to complete the online application even if you don't see a current opening that you are interested in. Each park has different needs and you're welcome to contact them to see what positions are available, click here for park contact information. Click here to apply online.
- Interested in becoming part of our team Full Time? All Full Time positions are civil service, and passing of a specific civil service test may be required. Click here to visit the Onondaga County Personnel Department website for more information on what civil service is all about, current openings throughout the county, civil service tests and more.
Location: Highland Forest Park
Type: Part Time
Duties/Requirements:
Administrative Assistant: Proficient customer service skills, answering phones, file keeping, timekeeping, purchasing. Experience with personal computer, cash management and register operations skills, and ability to communicate rules and policies to the public. Valid Driver's License. Available nights, weekends and holidays throughout the employment period.
Click here to apply online.
Location(s): Jamesville Beach Park & Oneida Shores Park
Type: Part Time
Duties/Requirements: The work involves responsibility to plan, organize and direct the aquatics operations at Onondaga County Parks’ two beaches, located at Jamesville Beach Park and Oneida Shores Park. Under direction of an administrative superior, an employee, in this class, sets goals, objectives and standards for the overall program and ensures all NYS Health Department Bather Codes are adhered to and understood by the aquatic staff. This position is perfect for teachers and anyone who has summers off.
Click here for more information. To apply send resume to leikokiggins@ongov.net.
Location: Oneida Shores Park
Duties/Requirements: The position requires a minimum three week commitment with the possibility for a longer stay. Current availability - Late August-Columbus Day
- The most important responsibility the campground host will have is to have great customer service. Oneida Shores Park would like to ensure that each and every visitor enjoys their camping experience.
- Host is responsible for recording all sales and keeping track of payments and accounting with parks VCA (Visitor Center Attendant).
- Campground hosts may be asked to complete janitorial, maintenance and or landscaping duties on a daily basis as deemed necessary.
- Host should be a people person and be able to deal with difficult situations in a positive manner. Host must have knowledge campground policies and basic information about the surrounding area.
- Hosts must use their own vehicles while traveling around the campground.
- Campground host will stay at a designated site in the campground for the duration of their selected period of work.
Please inquire by email to the Park Superintendent, Gary Lopez at GaryLopez@ongov.net for further information about the application process.
Click here to visit Oneida Shores Park Camping page for more information.
Special Benefit: Camp for FREE!
Location: Oneida Shores Park
Type: Part Time
Duties/Requirements: Must be 21 years of age, must have driver's license, must posses strong customer service skills and be able to work overnight. Must be comfortable working alone, maintaing order and making sure rules are followed. Hours are Thursday, Friday and Saturday 10 pm - 6 am.
Click here to apply online.
Location: Onondaga Lake Park - Long Branch Park
Type: Part Time
Duties/Requirements: Long Branch Park Grounds and Event Maintenance crew are responsible for a wide variety of routine manual activities pertaining to grounds maintenance and facility upkeep in/around Long Branch Park. Ability to perform light to medium-duty manual labor in an outdoor setting under a variety of weather conditions; use a variety of hand and power tools; operate basic motorized equipment, including but not limited to UTV, push-lawnmower, hedge trimmers, string-trimmer, power-washer, leaf blower, etc. Basic light-duty janitorial/custodial tasks, as needed. Face-to-face customer interaction including, but not limited to, event set-up assistance, picnic and public event logistics, addressing customer complaints/concerns, etc. Physical ability commensurate with the demands of the position.
2023 Dates of Employment (approximate): May 15 – August 18.
Flexibility with hours is available for those applicants who attend school/college in the ‘shoulder seasons’.
Click here to apply online.
Location: Onondaga Lake Park - Lakeview Amphitheater
Type: Part Time
Duties/Requirements: Amphitheater Grounds Maintenance crew are responsible for a wide variety of routine manual activities pertaining to grounds and facility upkeep in/around Lakeview Park at St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater. Ability to perform light to heavy duty manual labor in an outdoor setting under a variety of weather conditions; use a variety of hand and power tools; operate basic motorized equipment, including but not limited to UTV, push and ride-on lawnmower, hedge trimmers, string-trimmers, power-washer, leaf blowers, etc. Ability to work around water/docks required. Physical ability commensurate with the demands of the position.
2023 Dates of Employment (approximate): May 15 – September 22.
Flexibility with hours is available for those applicants who attend school/college in the ‘shoulder seasons’.
Click here to apply online.
Location: Rosamond Gifford Zoo
Type: Part Time
Duties/Requirements: Reporting to the Senior Veterinarian, this position aids the Animal Health department with diagnostic tests. The primary responsibility will be the operation and maintenance of the elephant endotheliotropic herpes virus (EEHV) PCR lab. Additional duties include completing other diagnostic lab work such as hormone analysis, complete blood counts, chemistry panels, etc. Click here for full job description.
Click here to apply online.
Various Parks
Type: Part Time
Duties/Requirements: Wide variety of routine manual activities pertaining to grounds and facility upkeep in/around Onondaga County Parks. Ability to perform light to heavy duty manual labor in an outdoor setting under a variety of weather conditions; use a variety of hand and power tools; operate basic motorized equipment, including but not limited to UTV, push and ride-on lawnmower, hedge trimmers, string-trimmers, power-washer, leaf blowers, etc. Face-to-face customer interaction including, but not limited to, event set-up assistance, picnic and public event logistics, addressing customer complaints/concerns, etc. Physical ability commensurate with the demands of the position.
Click here to apply online.
Location(s): Jamesville Beach Park & Oneida Shores Park
Type: Part Time
Duties/Requirements: Must have an American Red Cross Lifeguard Certificate & American Red Cross Waterfront Certification, certificates not required to apply but applicant must be certified by the start of the season. Must be at least 15 years of age. Questions?? Contact Gary Lopez at (315) 882-2202 or garylopez@ongov.net.
Click here to apply online.
Click here to download New York State Parks Qualifications Procedures
Location: Highland Forest Park
Type: Part Time
Duties/Requirements: Customer service skills, and ability to communicate rules and policies to the public. Must be available nights, weekends and holidays throughout the employment period.
Click here to apply online.
Location: Onondaga Lake Park
Type: Part Time
Duties/Requirements: Marina Attendants are responsible for a wide variety of routine manual activities pertaining to grounds maintenance and facility upkeep in/around a Marina environment. Ability to perform light to medium-duty manual labor in an outdoor setting under a variety of weather conditions; use a variety of hand and power tools; operate basic motorized equipment, including but not limited to UTV, push-lawnmower, hedge trimmers, string-trimmer, power-washer, leaf blower, etc. Basic light-duty janitorial/custodial tasks, as needed. Face-to-face customer interaction including, but not limited to, assisting Marina tenants/boaters with launching, docking, slip reservations, addressing customer complaints/concerns, etc. Basic understanding and knowledge of boating rules/laws and navigation nomenclature helpful, but not required. Ability to work around water/docks required. Physical ability commensurate with the demands of the position.
2023 Dates of Employment (approximate): April 17 - November 3.
Flexibility with hours is available for those applicants who attend school/college in the ‘shoulder seasons’.
Click here to apply online.
Park Rangers Office
Click here for more information about the Park Ranger positions and application forms.
Location: Onondaga Lake Park
Type: Part Time
Duties/Requirements: Visitor Center Attendants are front line staff members required to greet visitors, answer phones, disseminate information, responds to general questions/complaints/comments from the public, performs light cleaning, monitors and keeps brochure racks stocked, occasionally collects monies/admission fees, and other duties, as assigned. Candidate must be possess good oral communication skills, use tact and courtesy when dealing with the public and problem solve with little to no direct, constant supervision.
2023 Dates of Employment (approximate): April 1 – October 29. Flexibility with hours is available for those applicants who attend school/college in the ‘shoulder seasons’.
Click here to apply online.
Location: Rosamond Gifford Zoo
Type: Part Time
Duties/Requirements: Provide outstanding customer service and assistance to zoo patrons answering questions, and taking reservations via the phone and in person. Support Zoo staff by being being familiar with safety protocols and acting as the the communication hub of the zoo via the radio. Assist as needed with special projects. Upon occasion/as needed, fill in as a ticket booth attendant. This entails the operation of a cash register as visitors enter the zoo and purchase zoo admission. Generally this position will be at the Zoo's main desk but will fill in at the ticket booth to help cover absences, lunches, and if needed on busy days.
Click here to apply online.
Location: Rosamond Gifford Zoo
Type: Part Time
Duties/Requirements: Provide outstanding customer service and assistance to zoo patrons as they enter the zoo doors. Must be able to handle money & credit card transactions and frequently deal with groups of all sizes & ages.
Click here to apply online.
Location: Rosamond Gifford Zoo
Type: Full Time
Duties/Requirements: Inspects animals under care frequently throughout the day. Assists Veterinarian and Curator in treatment and extended care of sick or injured animals. Feeds and waters animals under care. Answers questions from the public about animals, may give educational animal demonstrations. May do routine groundskeeping and maintenance for the zoo facility. Requirements – must have completed at least one animal internship, currently enrolled in an animal husbandry curriculum or experience working at an AZA accredited zoo.
Click here for application.
Various Parks
Type: Full Time
Duties/Requirements: Wide variety of routine manual activities pertaining to grounds and facility upkeep in/around Onondaga County Parks. Ability to perform light to heavy duty manual labor in an outdoor setting under a variety of weather conditions; use a variety of hand and power tools; operate basic motorized equipment, including but not limited to UTV, push and ride-on lawnmower, hedge trimmers, string-trimmers, power-washer, leaf blowers, etc. Face-to-face customer interaction including, but not limited to, event set-up assistance, picnic and public event logistics, addressing customer complaints/concerns, etc. Physical ability commensurate with the demands of the position.
Click here for application.
Location: Oneida Shores Park
Type: Full Time
Duties: Manage the facilities and recreation programs at Oneida Shores Park. An employee in this position will be responsible for the administration, programming, operations and maintenance at the 340 acre park, which includes a beach, a boat launch, public picnic space, a campground, reserved shelters and a year-round lodge. Work includes supervising staff (2 full-time and up to 30 part-time); overseeing programs and events; preparing budgets and managing expenditures; enforcing safety/risk management policies; developing long-term plans, goals and management strategies; performing community and stakeholder outreach; and addressing customer concerns. Click here for full Civil Service specifications & requirements. To apply send resume & cover letter to leikokiggins@ongov.net.
Click here to download application (pdf).
During your visit to Onondaga County Parks, you may be photographed, videotaped, or filmed by Onondaga County Parks or authorized parties. Your attendance/admission serves as permission for use of these images by Onondaga County Parks. Commercial photography or filming is prohibited without permission of Onondaga County Parks.