Part-Time Park Keeper

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Park Keeper helps maintain the beauty, safety, and ecological health of Petaluma River Park Foundation’s 24-acre waterfront park in Petaluma, CA. This hands-on, outdoor position supports daily park operations and maintenance. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Performs under the general supervision of the Foundation’s Operations Manager and is responsible for, but not limited to, the following duties:

Park & Facility Maintenance (80%)

• Maintain a clean, safe, and visually appealing park environment. Daily tasks include waste removal, safety inspections, and restroom maintenance.
• Perform ongoing and preventative site repair work (fences, signage, picnic tables, umbrellas, stage, gravel pathways, etc.) throughout the property as needed.
• Maintain all trail paths to ensure accessibility and access.
• Maintain open space grassland with ongoing mowing, weed-whacking, and invasive plant removal.
• Maintain inventory and organization of park on-site storage containers and manage security/lock out procedures.
• Operate and maintain park equipment (golf carts, solar panels, utility vehicles) and machinery/tools (power and hand tools) including coordination with scheduled maintenance.
• Ensure park security and report hazards or unsafe conditions promptly.

Community Engagement (10%)

• Serve as a friendly and knowledgeable Park Ambassador and front facing representative of the Petaluma River Park Foundation.
• Greet and assist visitors, answer questions, and promote park rules.
• Support and participate in special events and educational programs.
• Partner with city representatives and local organizations supporting various community groups including the unhoused community.

Environmental Stewardship (5%)

• Protect sensitive habitats in line with grant, state, and federal guidelines.
• Support conservation projects, habitat restoration, and seasonal stewardship activities.

Administrative & Team Support (5%)

• Attend weekly in-office meetings with the Operations Manager.
• Participate in staff meetings and training opportunities.
• Document incidents and coordinate with the park management team.
• Serve as a member of the on-site park emergency response team.

QUALIFICATIONS

• High School diploma or G.E.D. or equivalent
• At least 1 year of professional work experience in park maintenance, horticulture, landscaping, construction or property maintenance.
• Ability to work in all weather conditions.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Must have reliable transportation to run job-related errands (e.g., picking up materials, making deliveries).Must possess a valid California drivers license and maintain a clean driving record. Must carry and maintain current auto insurance in accordance with California state law.
• Comfortable working both independently and as part of a team with strong problem-solving and communication skills.
• (Preferred) Speak both English and Spanish.

SCHEDULE & WORK ENVIRONMENT

• 12-15 hours/week.
• Typical schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9:00am-12:00pm. Additional hours/schedule shifts may include occasional evenings or weekends for events and specialty projects.

• Outdoor work in varying weather conditions; standing and walking approximately 80% of the time.

PAY & BENEFITS

• $23.00-$25.00/hour (non-exempt)
• Access to professional development, training opportunities, and the chance to be part of a mission-driven team stewarding one of Petaluma’s most beloved natural spaces

ABOUT PETALUMA RIVER PARK FOUNDATION

Petaluma River Park is a 24-acre waterfront park in the heart of Petaluma, open daily from dawn to dusk. Our mission is to connect people, art, and nature through shared public space. Since acquiring the McNear Peninsula in 2020, we’ve partnered with hundreds of community members to transform the site into a vibrant, welcoming park.

OUR COMMITMENT TO EQUITY & INCLUSION

The Petaluma River Park Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to an equitable, inclusive, and accessible hiring process. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, or veteran status. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request at info@petalumariverpark.org.