Jobs

Temporary Employment

Temporary and seasonal jobs are available at most state parks and recreation areas, with varying durations of employment to include more opportunities during our peak season. A variety of opportunities are available, including park attendants, lifeguards, office assistants, naturalists, maintenance workers, and grounds keepers.

All seasonal positions at Lake James State Park are listed below. Not all of them are currently open for hiring. Please check the top of the park's web pages for a green alert that lists which job applications are currently being accepted by park staff. If there is no green alert, that means the park has no vacancies; visit our general Jobs page to find currently open positions at other state parks.

Seasonal Positions

Tab/Accordion Items

Job Information

Concession Stand Clerks work up to 40 hours per week from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Working weekends and holidays is required.

The pay is $15 per hour.

Duties and Responsibilities

This position assists with the sale of snack food and beverage items, as well as provides information to visitors at the Paddy's Creek swim beach concession stand.

Primary duties include: selling food and beverage items; accurately collecting and disbursing payments and change; assisting with weekly inventory counts; restocking inventory, as needed; accepting deliveries; and assisting park visitors by answering questions and providing area/park information.

Working as a team member is integral to park operations. The Concession Stand Clerk should also be prepared to complete other duties as assigned.

Requirements and Qualifications

Candidates must be at least 16 years old to apply.

Job Information

General Utility Workers work seasonally up to 40 hours per week, with holiday and weekend work required. The positions typically begin from April to May and run through September to October.

The pay is $15 per hour.

Duties and Responsibilities

This position is responsible for park cleanup and daily maintenance in specific areas, which will be assigned to each worker.

Duties include cleaning restrooms, picnic areas, camping areas, parking lots, shelters, and nature trails; assisting park visitors by answering questions and providing area/park information; operating mowers, string trimmers, and blowers.

Requirements and Qualifications

Candidates must be at least 16 years old; however, only those 18 years or older with a valid driver's license can operate state vehicles and equipment.

Job Information

Lifeguards work up to 40 hours per week from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Working weekends and holidays is required.

The pay is $17 per hour.

Duties and Responsibilities

Lifeguards vigilantly monitor the protected swim beach area located at Paddy's Creek. They provide assistance, protection, and emergency response to visitors when required.

The primary duties of this position are: actively monitoring swimmers and visitors; providing water rescues, when necessary; enforcing swim area regulations; providing first aid and emergency procedures, when necessary; communicating with visitors and other guards; performing routine custodial and maintenance duties of the Paddy's Creek locker room; participating in daily training; and assisting park visitors by answering questions and providing area/park information.

Working as a team member is integral to park operations. Lifeguards should be prepared to complete other duties as assigned.

Requirements and Qualifications

Lifeguards must hold a current certification from an accredited lifeguard organization. CPR/AED and first aid certifications through the American Heart Association or the Red Cross are also required.

Job Information

The Park Naturalist is a 6-month position that works 24 hours per week, with weekends required.

The pay $18 per hour. There are no additional benefits.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Park Naturalist develops and conducts interpretive programs and provides visitor information and service. Duties for this role may include:

  • Creating and conducting educational programs that center on the park's nearly 4,000 acres and 33 miles of protected shoreline;
  • Learning and being able to educate the public about the flora, fauna, and cultural history of the park;
  • Leading guided hikes and paddles on the park's trails and lake, while providing answers to any questions that visitors may have;
  • Work with local educators to tailor in-park and outreach programs that enhance classroom lessons and projects;
  • Working with permanent staff and rangers on maintenance and landscaping projects; and
  • Assisting administrative staff in operating the visitor center.

Requirements and Qualifications

A valid North Carolina driver's license is required.

Job Information

The Park Technician works up to 40 hours per week, typically with 8-hour work days plus 1-hour lunch. Weekend and holiday work is required. The employment term for this position is 11 months.

The pay is $17 per hour.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Park Technician oversees a crew of seven General Utility Workers and assists Maintenance/Construction Technicians. Duties of this position also include, but are not limited to: mowing, weedeating, leaf blowing, trash pickup, cleaning campgrounds, cleaning all facilities (including restrooms and bathhouses), and assisting visitors.

Requirements and Qualifications

We are seeking self-motivated candidates. Experience is not required — just a willingness to learn. If you see yourself working at Lake James State Park, fill out an application today. We'd love to talk to you!

Permanent Employment

All permanent job listings are posted through the North Carolina Office of State Human Resources Online Job Application System.

Please note that most permanent employment opportunities have a very short posting period of only a few days. As such, permanent employment opportunities are not posted in this page.

The Online Job Application System allows you to create a "Get Job Alerts" link that will notify you via email when a position matching your interests and skills becomes available.

To use the Online Job Application System, you will need to create an account in order to submit an application for employment. Sign in or create a new account through the "Sign In" button at the top right of the page. There is a link at the bottom of the pop-up box to create a new account.