The East Bay Regional Park District is hosting two youth job fairs in coming days to highlight full- and part-time employment opportunities for youth in the regional parks.
The first fair is from 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 26 at the Big Break Visitor Center, 69 Big Break Road in Oakley. The second is from 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 2 at Ruggieri Senior Center, 33997 Alvarado-Niles Road in Union City, in partnership with the city of Union City. At both events, attendees can learn about specific park district jobs available and talk to current employees about what it’s like to work for the district.
Positions open in 2019 include interpretive student aides, public safety student aides, recreation leaders, lifeguards, gate attendants, park service attendants, student laborers, field interns and volunteers. The fairs also offer sessions on resume writing, submitting applications and job interviews for youth looking to enter the workforce, whether at the park district or elsewhere.
“The park district’s annual Youth Job Fairs are an important way for the district to engage with local youth looking for jobs,” said Ayn Wieskamp, a park district board member. “The park district works very hard to ensure youth in the district are aware of the jobs the district has to offer. These events are great for area youth looking for full-time work or seasonal jobs.”
The East Bay Regional Park District is the largest employer of youth in the East Bay, hiring more than 400 youth each year to work in the district’s 73 regional parks and 10 visitor centers. The fairs are key to filling seasonal summer positions, especially recreation leaders and lifeguards. The fairs are free of charge, and no reservations are necessary. Just show up and find out about some great opportunities.
Sunol: The first full moon of the year will occur Jan. 20. Naturalist Ashley Adams will celebrate it with a full moon hike from 5 to 8 p.m. at Sunol Regional Wilderness in southern Alameda County.
Bring a trailside dinner, meet at the visitor center and watch the sun set and moon rise over the valley. The hike is for ages 6 and older. Sunol Regional Wilderness is located at the end of Geary Road off Calaveras Road 5 miles south of Interstate 680. The program is free; there’s a parking fee of $5 per vehicle. For information, call 510-544-3249.
Fremont: Sunset is also the theme of a program from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Jan. 19 at Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont with naturalist Kristina Parkison for ages 8 and older. Watch the change in wildlife activity as day turns to night. Coyote Hills is at the end of Patterson Ranch Road off Paseo Padre Parkway. Meet at the visitor center. The program is free; there’s a parking fee of $5 per vehicle. Call 510-544-3220.
Alameda: Crab Cove Visitor Center in Alameda hosts “A Day at the Beach” from 11 to 11:30 a.m., 2 to 3 p.m. and 3 to 3:30 p.m. every Sunday in January and February. Stop by the visitor center for free drop-in activities, including storytime and family nature fun. Crab Cove is at the end of McKay Avenue off Alameda’s Central Avenue. Call 510-544-3187.
Berkeley: “California Ecology, Creatures of the Bay” is the theme of a program from 2 to 3 p.m. Jan. 19 at Tilden Nature Area near Berkeley, with interpretive student aide Brianna Contaxis-Tucker. Brianna will talk about the bay’s evolution in terms of both natural and cultural history. Meet at Tilden’s Environmental Education Center at the end of Central Park Drive. Call 510-544-2233.
Oakland: There’s one from 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 19 at Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve in Oakland. It’s a moderate, 2-mile loop with a stop at a quarry pit to look for newts and frogs. Meet at the park’s entrance on Skyline Boulevard, just south of the intersection with Grizzly Peak Boulevard. Call 510-544-3187 for information.
Antioch: Mushrooms are popping up all over. Naturalist Virginia Delgado will lead a fungus-finding (but not -harvesting) adventure from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Jan. 19 at Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve in Antioch for ages 5 and older. Meet at the parking lot at the end of Somersville Road, 3½ miles south of Highway 4. Call 888-327-2757, ext. 2750.
Online: There’s plenty of activity this time of year in the regional parks. Check out the park district’s website at www.ebparks.org for more information.
Ned MacKay writes a regular column about East Bay Regional Park District sites and activities. Email him at nedmackay@comcast.net.