Ranch hand h1.location_city

Salary: $18.70 - $20.70 Hourly
Location : Cupertino, CA
Job Type: Part Time Casual
Job Number: 2026-00006
Department: Parks and Recreation
Opening Date: 02/23/2026

Description
Open Until Filled. This recruitment is subject to close at any time.

Do you have a passion for nature that you love to share? Are you interested in creating a positive day camp experience with nature or science-based adventures? The Cupertino Parks and Recreation department is recruiting energetic and motivated part-time Recreation Leaders to plan and lead summer activities for kids at McClellan Ranch Preserve.

Under limited supervision, the Recreation Leader assists the Recreation Coordinator in organizing and leading recreational activities and other related work as required. The Recreation Leader is assigned to the Cupertino Parks and Recreation department and represents the City before the general public. This position emphasizes leadership, mentoring, and customer service.
Class Characteristics
This classification is an entry level position. This is a part-time, at-will, and non-benefited position limited to no more than 995 hours per fiscal year. Recreation leaders must be age 16 or older.

Important Dates:

Mandatory In-Person Training: June 8 to June 12. This is paid training.

Mandatory workday: July 4.

Summer programs run from June 15 to August 7.

Supervision Received and Exercised

Receives limited direction from the Recreation Coordinator, Staff Assistant, and Senior Recreation Leaders.

Essential Duties
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Engage youth in a variety of positive, fun, and age-appropriate activities. Typical activities include, but are not limited to: arts, crafts, science experiments, nature walks, games, and supervising campers during guest presentations.
• Supervise program participants, with an emphasis on education and safety.
• Enthusiastically help participants explore, make friends, and have fun.
• Maintain equipment and facility to ensure a safe work environment.
• Communicate positively and appropriately with participants, parents, volunteers, and co-workers.
• Support fellow Recreation Leaders and Senior Recreation Leaders in creating a positive day camp experience for every participant.
• Assist with mentoring volunteers, modeling professional behavior and a positive attitude.
• Set up, clean up, and prepare materials as directed.
• Attend staff meetings and respect departmental policies and procedures.
• Answer questions and field complaints from customers and refer them to appropriate staff.
• Perform other duties as required.

Qualifications

Knowledge of:
Youth games, science experiments, crafts, other interactive activities as well as nature and/or science.

Safety precautions as they relate to supervising youth.

Experience working with special needs youth is highly desirable.
Ability to:
Respond appropriately when plans change due to weather or camper needs.

Understand and follow written and oral instructions.

Manage time effectively, show initiative, and work independently.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with teammates, parents, volunteers, and other members of the community.

Learn policies and procedures applicable to the operation of the City.

Work with a diverse population in a tactful and effective manner.

Work and communicate effectively in a team setting.

Transport self to and from work.
Education and Experience
Must be a minimum of 16 years old at time of start date.

Experience working with youth is a plus.
Licenses and Certificates
Current CPR and First Aid certification desirable (CPR and First Aid certification and re-certification will be offered to new employees).

Summer 2025, we had everyone do their CPR and First Aid to include Epi Pen training. Check with Mariah if we are going to have everyone redo CPR/First Aid or only new employees

Supplemental Information
Mandatory In-Person Training: June 8 to June 12. This is paid training.

Mandatory workday: July 4.

Summer programs run from June 15 to August 7.
Must be able to pass a fingerprint background check prior to the first day of mandatory training.
Must be able to provide proof of current negative TB test prior to the first day of mandatory training.

Must be able to provide a work permit if under the age of 18.

Nature/Science Summer Program:

Monday through Friday 8:30 am - 3:30 pm at McClellan Ranch Preserve.

Work schedules can be flexible. Additional hours as needed.

Physical Demands

Must be able to stand, sit, bend, squat, climb, kneel, jump, run, twist and reach, and lift and carry weight of 25 pounds or less while coordinating and/or supervising recreation activities.

Must be able to lead walks and field games in warm weather.
Application and Selection Process

If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit your City of Cupertino employment application to Human Resources. Final Filing Date: Open Until Filled. This recruitment is subject to close at any time. Applications must be filled out completely. Failure to complete the supplemental application will disqualify the applicant from the recruitment process. Failure to list work experience or stating "See Resume" in the work experience section of the application will be considered an incomplete application and subject to rejection. Resumes may be attached separately. Electronic applications may be submitted online through the City's employment page at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/cupertino , or application materials may be submitted to: Human Resources, 10300 Torre Avenue, Cupertino, CA 95014. Late applications will not be accepted.

Applications will be screened according to the qualifications outlined in this job announcement.

Applicants possessing the most desirable qualifications will be invited to continue in the selection process, which may include an interview.

Additional Information

The City of Cupertino is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of a person's race, religion, color, sex (including gender and pregnancy), sexual orientation (Including heterosexuality, homosexuality, and bisexuality), national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, uniformed service member status, marital status, age, medical condition, genetic characteristics, and physical or mental disability. Candidates with a disability, which may require special assistance in any phase of the application or testing process, should advise City of Cupertino Human Resources upon submittal of application. Documentation of the need for accommodation must accompany the request.

The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.
01

Do you meet the minimum age requirement? Must be a minimum of 16 years old.

• Yes
• No

02

A completed supplemental application must be submitted along with a completed City of Cupertino application to be considered further. Please provide a response to each question and limit your responses to no more than 300 words. Please select "Yes" below to confirm you have read these instructions and continue to the supplemental questions.

• Yes
• No

03

Briefly tell us why you are interested in being a Recreation Leader with the City of Cupertino.
04

Briefly tell us how comfortable you are in nature and working in the EnvironmentalEducation Center which includes snakes, lizards, turtles, insects, and a tarantula.
05

If you are hired to work as a Recreation Leader would you be interested in being placed on a list of part-time employees available to work during the school year?

• Yes
• No

Required Question