Employment » Seasonal Positions
Seasonal jobs are available at a variety state parks and recreation areas from the mountains to the sea. From assistant park rangers to lifeguards, naturalists to general utility workers, a variety of opportunities are available.
Click the links below for answers to the most frequently asked questions about seasonal employment with the parks.
| Who can apply? | How to apply? |
| Work hours? | When to apply? |
| Living quarters? | Specific jobs and pay? |
Who can apply?
Eligible candidates for seasonal jobs include college students, prospective college students, school teachers and other people who are customarily unemployed during the summer months. Minimum age for employment is eighteen, but exceptions are provided under the law if the employing agency procures an employment certificate from the County Social Services Department. Preference will be given to applicants who are residents of North Carolina.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Division of Parks and Recreation continue to recognize the need for an aggressive and meaningful plan of ensuring equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants. Minorities, females and handicapped persons are encouraged to apply.
What are the work hours?
Employees are required to work 40 hours per week and must be available to work overtime when needed. In most instances, time off cannot be taken on Saturdays, Sundays or holidays. Seasonal positions are typically available for three month periods—from June 1 through Labor day. Six-month positions are available in some parks.
Are living quarters provided?
In some parks, living quarters with kitchen facilities are provided by the Division of Parks and Recreation for minimal rent. Employees must provide and prepare their own food. Transportation to and from work at the beginning and ending of the season as well as transportation for personal pursuits during employment must be provided by the employee. Click here for a listing of parks that offer living quarters.
Living quarters are available at: Cliffs of the Neuse, Eno River, Fort Macon, Hammocks Beach, Hanging Rock, Jockey's Ridge, Jones Lake, Morrow Mountain, Mount Mitchell and William B. Umstead. A minimal rent is charged.
How can I apply?
Click here to download an application from the Office of State Personnel's Web site, or contact the division's headquarters at (919) 733-4181 for a copy of the application. Complete the application and make sure to specify the position and location you desire. Send the application to the superintendent of the park or recreation area where you are most interested in working.
Select a park from the list below to view contact information for that park, which is listed at the top of each park's webpage.
If you will accept employment in several parks, list the parks in order of your preference on the application form. If there is no opening at the your first choice, the park superintendent will forward the application to the next park on your list and notify you that your application has been advanced.
When should I apply?
Applications received prior to March 1 of each year will receive full consideration for that seasonal calendar year. Applications after that date will be considered only as positions become vacant, but applicants are encouraged to apply at any time. Applicants selected for employment will be notified as soon as possible, around March 31 of each year, or earlier for six-month positions for that seasonal calendar year.
What are the types of jobs and how much to they pay?
Lifeguard: Cliffs of the Neuse, Fort Fisher, Fort Macon, Hammocks Beach, Hanging Rock, Jones Lake, Lake Norman, Morrow Mountain. (Rate: $9.36/hr.)
Chief Lifeguard: Same as above. (Rate: $9.67/hr.)
Bathhouse Manager I: Fort Macon, Hammocks Beach, Jones Lake, Lake Norman. (Rate: $7.25/hr.)
Bathhouse Manager II: Cliffs of the Neuse, Hanging Rock and Morrow Mountain. (Rate: $7.73/hr.)
Bathhouse Operator: Cliffs of the Neuse, Hanging Rock. (Rate: $7.25/hr.)
Refreshment Stand Manager: Cliffs of the Neuse, Fort Fisher, Fort Macon, Hammocks Beach, Hanging Rock, Lake James, Lake Norman, Morrow Mountain. (Rate: $7.25/hr.) Carolina Beach and Mount Mitchell. (Rate: $7.73/hr.)
Refreshment Stand Clerk: Carolina Beach, Cliffs of the Neuse, Fort Fisher, Fort Macon, Hanging Rock, Lake James, Lake Norman, Morrow Mountain, Mount Mitchell. (Rate: $7.25/hr.)
Park Attendant: All parks and recreation areas except Singletary Lake. (Rate: $7.25/hr.)
Naturalist: Eno River, Hammocks Beach. (Rate: $7.25/hr.)
Historian: Fort Macon. (Rate: $7.25/hr.)
Ferryboat Operator: Hammocks Beach. (Rate: $11.44/hr.)
Deckhand: Hammocks Beach. (Rate: $7.25/hr.)
Office Assistant: Falls Lake, Fort Fisher, Hammocks Beach, Hanging Rock, Jockey's Ridge, Jordan Lake, Kerr Lake, Lake Waccamaw, New River. (Rate: $7.25/hr.)
Park Technician: Falls Lake, Fort Fisher, Hammocks Beach, Hanging Rock, Jockey's Ridge, Jordan Lake, Kerr Lake, Lake Waccamaw, Mount Jefferson, Raven Rock. (Rate: $7.73 hr)
General Utility Worker: Carolina Beach, Cliff of the Neuse, Crowders Mountain, Eno River, Falls Lake, Fort Fisher, Goose Creek, Hammocks Beach, Hanging Rock, Jockey's Ridge, Jones Lake, Jordan Lake, Kerr Lake, Lake James, Lake Norman, Medoc Mountain, Merchants Millpond, Morrow Mountain, Mount Mitchell, New River, Pilot Mountain, Raven Rock, Singletary Lake, South Mountain, Stone Mountain, William B Umstead. (Rate: $7.25 hr)
N.C. Division of Parks & Recreation • 1615 MSC • Raleigh N.C. 27699-1615 (919) 733-4181