Careers
Join the SPC Team!
Looking to work in a beautiful setting? We have seasonal and full-time positions available throughout the year. Join our team of dedicated, fun, and passionate people this season.
General Information
Sequoia Parks Conservancy employees interact with park visitors throughout the year in retail and outdoor settings. Our team prides itself on treating customers and each other in a manner that’s honest, accurate, and friendly.
We provide staffing for the visitor centers at Kings Canyon, Lodgepole, Giant Forest, Foothills, and Lake Kaweah. We also hire seasonal Field Institute naturalists for tours of Crystal Cave, Giant Forest, and other areas of the park.
Travel times vary depending on park locations, traffic, and conditions:
Central Fresno to Kings Canyon NP: 60 miles
Central Visalia to Sequoia NP Foothills: 38 miles
Central Visalia to Giant Forest: 51 miles
Central Visalia to Lodgepole: 56 miles
Current Job Openings
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks offer breathtaking scenery, the world’s largest trees, the majestic Sierra Nevada Mountains, diverse wildlife, vibrant wildflowers, cascading waterfalls, deep canyons, and hidden caves. Iconic landmarks include Kings Canyon, one of the deepest in the country, the towering General Sherman Tree, and Mt. Whitney, the highest peak in the continental United States.
Full Time
Year Round- subject to seasonal furlough in the off seasonShape Visitor Experiences & Oversee Operations at Crystal Cave
Are you a natural leader with a passion for environmental education, cave conservation, and team management? The Sequoia Parks Conservancy (SPC) Field Institute is seeking an energetic Crystal Cave Manager to oversee all on-site operations for the iconic Crystal Cave in Sequoia National Park. As Cave Manager, you will mentor seasonal naturalists, maintain guest safety and retail operations, and champion the long-term conservation of park resources. If you thrive in the outdoors and excel at inspiring both staff and visitors in a unique national park setting, this position is for you!
Location: Crystal Cave, Sequoia National Park, CA
Employment Type: Non-exempt, Full-time (Subject to annual seasonal furlough based on operational needs).
Compensation: Starting Wage: $24.40 per hour
Position Pay Scale Range: $24.40 – $39.04 per hour (commensurate with tenure and performance).
What You’ll Do
- Drive On-Site Operations & Logistics: Direct day-to-day cave operations; manage reservation systems (FareHarbor) and tour schedules; oversee on-site infrastructure (including solar/photovoltaic systems); and manage retail inventory and Point-of-Service (POS) reporting.
- Lead & Develop a High-Performing Team: Drive the full seasonal hiring lifecycle— interviewing, onboarding, and training seasonal naturalists in cave-specific content, safety, and customer service.
- Deliver & Enhance Interpretive Experiences: Research, design, and deliver engaging public tours (standard, Wild Cave, and specialty groups) while embedding National Park Service (NPS) interpretive standards and cave ecology into every visitor interaction.
- Champion Resource Protection & Safety: Conduct site safety inspections, enforce emergency standard operating procedures, and partner with the NPS Division of Resource Management to safeguard delicate cave ecosystems.
- Support Year-Round Growth & Planning: During the off-season, manage operating budgets, draft annual operational reports, support winter guided programs, and prepare seasonal housing and recruitment for the upcoming cave season.
What You Bring
Required / Non-Negotiables:
- Education & Experience: Degree or equivalent experience in education, science, history, or a related field, combined with demonstrated experience in guiding, teaching, or resource interpretation.
- Leadership & Management: Proven supervisory experience, including team scheduling, coaching, performance evaluations, and retail/sales operations (handling cash and POS systems).
- Field Knowledge: Strong foundation in the natural history of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks and cave science (speleogenesis, karst hydrology, bat biology, and geology).
- Physical Stamina: Ability to hike 1/2 mile up a steep, uneven grade at high elevation in 20 minutes, multiple times daily; stand for up to 8 hours in varied weather conditions; and lift up to 40 lbs.
- Tech & Certifications: Valid driver’s license with a clean record, current First Aid, CPR, and AED certifications (or ability to obtain upon hire), and proficiency with Google Workspace and Microsoft Office.
Nice-to-Haves / Preferred:
- Advanced wilderness medical certifications (e.g., Wilderness First Aid, Wilderness First Responder, or EMT).
- Hands-on experience operating off-grid site infrastructure (e.g., generators, photovoltaic/solar systems) or managing reservation software like FareHarbor.
Why You’ll Love Working Here
- Unmatched Work Environment: Work daily inside Sequoia National Park, surrounded by world-renowned natural beauty and unique underground geological formations.
- Mission-Driven Impact: Directly contribute to the protection, conservation, and public enjoyment of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.
- Diverse Year-Round Duties: Experience a dynamic cycle—leading vibrant summer cave operations followed by strategic planning, budgeting, and winter naturalist guiding during the off-season.
- Park & Community Connections: Build meaningful professional relationships with the National Park Service, environmental scientists, and park visitors from around the world.
While we value individuality, we ask all our team members to follow these grooming and appearance standards:
- Hair: We prefer natural hair colors and professional styles. Please avoid neon or extreme unnatural shades and styles that could obstruct vision or be overly distracting
- Tattoos & Body Art: Visible tattoos are generally acceptable if they are inoffensive and do not display discriminatory, violent, or explicit imagery. Any tattoos considered inappropriate for a professional setting must be covered during work hours.
- Body Modifications: To maintain a polished appearance, extreme body modifications (such as facial branding, scarification, or large-scale facial/neck tattoos) are not allowed while on duty, except for those related to protected cultural or religious practices.
Connect Visitors to the Magic of Sequoia & Kings Canyon
Are you an organized multitasker who thrives both behind a desk and out on the trail? The Sequoia Parks Conservancy (SPC) Field Institute is seeking a versatile Field Institute Programs Coordinator to power the operational engine of our educational and adventure offerings-from Crystal Cave tours and private guiding to backcountry winter huts. Splitting your time between essential administrative coordination and hands-on program delivery, you will play a central role in delivering unforgettable, high-quality public experiences in one of the nation’s most breathtaking national parks.
Location: Ash Mountain and/or Lodgepole, Sequoia National Park, CA
Employment Type: Non-Exempt, Full-time (Subject to seasonal furlough based on business needs)
Compensation: Starting Wage: $19.65 per hour
Position Pay Scale Range: $19.65- $31.44 per hour (commensurate with tenure and performance).
What You’ll Do
- Balance Office Logistics & Field Delivery: Spend up to 50% of your time providing direct, hands-on program coverage—leading cave tours, guided hikes, stargazing sessions, and private trips during peak demand or staff absences.
- Manage Reservation & Booking Platforms: Oversee systems like FareHarbor to build program listings, handle private guiding itineraries, and manage the booking and annual lottery cycles for the Pear Lake Winter Hut.
- Deliver Exceptional Customer Service: Act as the primary point of contact for visitor inquiries, group bookings, cancellations, accessibility needs, and partner agency communications.
- Coordinate Signature Park Events: Assist in planning, organizing, and executing major conservancy events, such as the annual Dark Sky Festival, managing logistics, vendor relationships, and volunteer schedules.
- Support Billing & Program Growth: Handle invoicing and receivables for partner groups, track event budgets, compile performance analytics, and assist leadership with administrative reporting and new program pilots.
What You Bring
Required / Non-Negotiables:
- Core Experience: Professional background in program coordination, administrative support, operations, or customer service.
- Technical Skills: Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace, and the ability to quickly master online booking and Point-of-Sale (POS) platforms.
- Certifications & Licensing: Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record, plus current First Aid, CPR, and AED certifications (or willingness to obtain upon hire).
- Adaptability & Physical Capability: Willingness to switch between desk tasks and outdoor field operations on short notice, with the physical stamina to hike several miles on uneven trails at high elevation with a pack and lift up to 40 lbs.
Nice-to-Haves / Preferred:
- Experience working with online booking engines (specifically FareHarbor).
- Background in environmental interpretation, outdoor guiding, teaching, or public speaking.
- Prior experience collaborating with federal agencies, such as the National Park Service.
- Holding advanced credentials like Wilderness First Aid / Wilderness First Responder certification.
Why You’ll Love Working Here
- The Ultimate Dual-Role Workday: Avoid desk burnout with a dynamic schedule that lets you balance administrative leadership with real outdoor field experience in Sequoia National Park.
- Direct Mission Impact: Help foster park stewardship and resource protection by supporting programs that educate and inspire thousands of park visitors annually.
- Signature Events & Community: Participate in orchestrating events like the Dark Sky Festival while building strong ties across the National Park Service network.
- Park Perks & Immersion: Work inside an iconic national park system, continually expanding your knowledge of natural history.
While we value individuality, we ask all our team members to follow these grooming and appearance standards:
- Hair: We prefer natural hair colors and professional styles. Please avoid neon or extreme unnatural shades and styles that could obstruct vision or be overly distracting
- Tattoos & Body Art: Visible tattoos are generally acceptable if they are inoffensive and do not display discriminatory, violent, or explicit imagery. Any tattoos considered inappropriate for a professional setting must be covered during work hours.
- Body Modifications: To maintain a polished appearance, extreme body modifications (such as facial branding, scarification, or large-scale facial/neck tattoos) are not allowed while on duty, except for those related to protected cultural or religious practices.
SPC is always accepting applications. Current openings are listed above. Please note that we can only respond to those who meet our hiring needs due to the large number of applications we receive.
Sequoia Parks Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Sequoia Parks Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability (mental and physical), medical condition, genetic information, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, military or veteran status, or reproductive health decision-making.