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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. This page last updated 10/23/23.
- 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.
- Interested in a Part Time or Seasonal Position? 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.
- Interested in a Full Time Position? 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: 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. Please note: This is NOT a tested position. Leave space above Exam # blank. Payment is only required for tested positions.
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. Please note: This is NOT a tested position. Leave space above Exam # blank. Payment is only required for tested positions.
Location: Onondaga Lake Park
Type: Seasonal/ Full Time (40 hours per week)
Duties/Requirements: Assist with the set-up and take-down of the annual Lights on the Lake program. The employee will work as a member of a crew, under the supervision of a Crew Leader, performing routine manual tasks that require minimal special knowledge and sustained light to medium physical effort, involving frequent outdoor exposure. Typical tasks include, but are not limited to, lifting/moving light displays, assembling/erecting lights displays and preparing extension cords to be plugged-in to light displays. Successful employees will be considered for further appointment to various work opportunities during the Lights on the Lake program, and seasonal Onondaga Lake Park job opportunities in Spring 2024.
Click here to apply online.
Type: Seasonal/ Full Time (40 hours per week)
Duties/Requirements: Assist with the set-up and take-down of the annual Lights on the Lake program. The employee will work as a member of a crew, under the supervision of a Crew Leader, performing routine manual tasks that require minimal special knowledge and sustained light to medium physical effort, involving frequent outdoor exposure. Typical tasks include, but are not limited to, lifting/moving light displays, assembling/erecting lights displays and preparing extension cords to be plugged-in to light displays. Successful employees will be considered for further appointment to various work opportunities during the Lights on the Lake program, and seasonal Onondaga Lake Park job opportunities in Spring 2024.
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.
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.
Park Rangers Office
Click here for more information about the Park Ranger positions and application forms.
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.
