New York offers two separate public campground volunteer systems: DEC ambassadors in the Adirondacks and Catskills, and OPRHP camper assistants at participating state parks across other regions. Both provide camping tied to service, but they have different applications and calendars. DEC explicitly closed its 2026 ambassador intake; individual CAP availability must be checked with each park. NY01 NY02 Paid public work is also important: the Walkway Over the Hudson operations post has an October 13, 2026 deadline, while DEC residential education camps recruit through their own annual cycle. NY03 NY04 The nonprofit layer is especially strong. Great Camp Sagamore, Adirondack Experience, Silver Bay YMCA and Ashokan offer documented staff-accommodation models, with important differences in eligibility and cost. NY06 NY07 NY09 NY10 County parks, Mohonk Preserve, Fire Island, Montezuma and western New York’s Chautauqua Institution extend the research into day-use hosts, museums, trail stewardship and event campuses. NY11 NY14 NY15 NY16 NY18 These records are qualified programs and employer leads, not a count of open jobs. Northern lodge hospitality, Hudson Valley education, Long Island recreation and Finger Lakes refuge hosting require different role searches; generic “camp host New York” searches miss much of this market.
What the labels mean
- Taking applications: we opened the employer's notice on the date shown and it was still taking applications.
- Intake announced: the employer says when the next season or hiring round starts.
- Future intake announced: The organization has announced a future season or hiring round.
- Accepts applications: A standing jobs page or recruiting route. No specific opening is confirmed.
- Volunteer program: An established volunteer program. Placements, dates and benefits are set assignment by assignment.
- Contact for jobs: A confirmed operator and contact route. No host opening or housing offer is confirmed.
- Past hiring only: An earlier or archived notice, kept so you know who hires and when. Not a current opening.
- Not yet confirmed: A possible lead that still needs checking before it can be called a host opportunity.
- Opening not reconfirmed: an opening was reported in the research, but we could not confirm it is still open.
- Paid, volunteer, work exchange, business contract and mixed describe the arrangement the source states. They are not a legal ruling on employment status. Free housing is shown only when the source says so for that role.
Opening not reconfirmed (1)
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StateOpening not reconfirmedPaid
NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park · Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County
Park Worker 3 · Maintenance and visitor operations supervisor
Reported in the research on Oct 9, 2026. Confirm with the employer before you apply.
A current posting provides a concrete example of paid day-use park hosting and care outside campgrounds. The Park Worker 3 supervises maintenance and opening or closing, handles visitor inquiries and fee records, operates equipment, supports events and works with the Friends group and concessionaires. This is a permanent supervisory maintenance appointment rather than a seasonal campsite exchange. The official listing supplies alternative qualification routes and accepts an application and resume by a future deadline as of the research date. NY03
- Pay: $44,560-$54,773 annually; listed $2,150 Dutchess County adjustment.
- Hours and duties: 40 hours/week; variable second shift, weekends and holidays.
- Season or dates: Posted September 25, 2026; due October 13, 2026.
- Who can apply: Experience, education or military alternatives; valid driving licence and stated operational requirements; no visa sponsorship.
- How to apply: Email application and resume with exact position title; official posting links form.
- Still to confirm: Recheck before promotion because the October 13 deadline is imminent.
Place guide: Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park
StateJobsNY / OPRHP [email protected]
Sources (1) and research ID NY003
- NY03: StateJobsNY / OPRHP, Park Worker 3, Walkway Over the Hudson, vacancy 225669 (Full page read, checked Oct 9, 2026) Posted September 25; applications due October 13, 2026.
Accepts applications (9)
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StateAccepts applicationsPaid
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
Residential Environmental Education Camps · Four-camp statewide program
Camp director · Assistant director · Counselor · Camp aide
DEC also recruits for residential environmental education camps, a materially different opportunity from campground hosting. Staff supervise youth programs, maintain educational equipment and help run residential facilities. The standing page says interviews begin in November and work runs from early June to mid-August. It includes position-specific training and qualifications. Aides and program staff should be screened for the responsibilities of a residential youth setting, including overnight supervision, rather than marketed as a casual visitor-welcome shift or retirement campground placement. NY04
- Pay: Published director $25.57/hour; assistant director $22.40/hour; position-specific rates. Employer states maximum 40 paid hours and overtime ineligibility.
- Housing or RV: Room and board included; all positions except cook must live onsite.
- Hours and duties: Residential Sunday-Friday program with 24-hour supervision responsibilities for designated staff.
- Season or dates: Standing annual cycle: interviews from November; early June-mid-August.
- How to apply: Resume, cover letter and transcript via linked DEC Camps Employment email or Camps Administrator, 625 Broadway, Albany NY 12233-4501.
- Still to confirm: Confirm year-specific camp locations, pay and required certification for chosen role.
Sources (1) and research ID NY004
- NY04: NYS DEC, Employment at Education Camps (Full page read, checked Oct 9, 2026)
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NonprofitAccepts applicationsPaid
Adirondack Mountain Club
Heart Lake Program Center / Adirondak Loj · High Peaks, Adirondacks
Hospitality manager · Housekeeping and visitor operations
ADK directly operates its hospitality and outdoor education facilities and maintains a dedicated employment page. The current page describes a Heart Lake Hospitality Manager overseeing daily hospitality, housekeeping, crew management and events. This supplies an actual nonprofit operator and relevant job family beyond state campgrounds. An older indexed front-desk advertisement ceased resolving during this research, so its former vacancy and benefits are not carried forward. Monitor the current careers page for seasonal lodge and stewardship roles as well as management recruitment. NY05
- Season or dates: Season not specified
- How to apply: Use the current ADK employment page and its specific recruitment instructions.
- Still to confirm: Obtain the full current manager description and check whether any seasonal staff accommodation applies.
Place guide: Heart Lake Program Center
Sources (1) and research ID NY005
- NY05: Adirondack Mountain Club, Employment (Full page read, checked Oct 9, 2026) Current page lists Heart Lake Hospitality Manager; older Front Desk link returned 404 on repeat read.
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NonprofitAccepts applicationsPaid
Sagamore Institute of the Adirondacks
Great Camp Sagamore · Raquette Lake
Historic interpretation · Guest services · Housekeeping · Facilities support
The nonprofit owner and operator of Great Camp Sagamore recruits year-round staff and a seasonal team for its heritage and educational retreat campus. Most seasonal staff live onsite and receive meals, although the page does not specify the charge or promise housing to every role. Seasonal recruitment normally begins each January for June-October work. The page currently describes a history management role; its seasonal section does not contain a verified remaining 2026 vacancy. This is distinct from the similarly named commercial Sagamore resort. NY06
- Housing or RV: Most seasonal staff live on campus with meals; cost and allocation not stated.
- Season or dates: Seasonal positions normally posted January, June-October season.
- How to apply: Follow role links and application forms on employment page; general enquiries below.
- Still to confirm: Seek 2027 housekeeping, guest-service and interpretation notices and exact lodging deductions.
Place guide: Great Camp Sagamore
Sagamore Institute of the Adirondacks [email protected] 315-354-5311
Sources (1) and research ID NY006
- NY06: Sagamore Institute of the Adirondacks, Employment (Full page read, checked Oct 9, 2026)
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NonprofitAccepts applicationsMixed
Adirondack Experience
Museum campus and seasonal visitor operations · Blue Mountain Lake
Museum visitor services · Retail operations · Seasonal museum staff · Volunteer
The museum advertises seasonal and year-round employment through its own careers page and linked Paylocity board. It also accepts unsolicited employment applications and volunteer enquiries to Human Resources, making it a useful employer relationship even between recruitment cycles. Some seasonal employees can access onsite accommodation with shared facilities and single or double bedrooms. Availability for some staff does not establish that every museum appointment includes housing or that accommodation is free. The published museum season ends October 12, 2026; future staffing must be checked separately. NY07
- Housing or RV: Onsite housing available to some seasonal staff; shared kitchen/bath/living room; charges unstated.
- Season or dates: Museum open May 22-October 12, 2026; employment dates role-specific.
- How to apply: Linked Paylocity openings or unsolicited application; HR email for volunteering.
- Still to confirm: Verify exact vacancy, housing availability, cost and occupancy before listing.
Adirondack Experience [email protected] 518-352-7311
Sources (1) and research ID NY007
- NY07: Adirondack Experience, Jobs (Full page read, checked Oct 9, 2026)
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NonprofitAccepts applicationsPaid
Silver Bay YMCA
Conference and family retreat center · Silver Bay, Lake George
Front desk/concierge · Conference setup · Housekeeping · Maintenance · Boathouse staff
Silver Bay provides unusually useful written seasonal employment terms and explicitly recruits people including retirees. Its 2026 booklet describes visitor reception, conference preparation, grounds and facility work, recreation and waterfront operations. This is paid employment with an accommodation deduction, not free lodging for volunteer hours. The careers page links both seasonal and year-round openings; applications are rolling until positions fill. The main summer employment period has ended, while the booklet allows some early and late crew assignments. No particular late-season seat was confirmed available. NY08 NY09
- Pay: 2026 base $16/hour; front desk/concierge $17.25; lifeguards $17.75.
- Housing or RV: Dorm housing and meals: $170/week deduction in 2026; mostly shared rooms. Pets prohibited except approved service animals.
- Hours and duties: Typically 32-40 hours across five days.
- Season or dates: Main 2026 May 26-September 14; some roles April 1-November 18.
- How to apply: Apply through employer careers page; personnel enquiry contact.
- Still to confirm: Confirm remaining late crew needs or obtain the 2027 booklet before quoting rates.
Place guide: Silver Bay YMCA
Silver Bay YMCA [email protected] 518-543-8833 ext. 211
Sources (2) and research ID NY008
- NY08: Silver Bay YMCA, Careers (Full page read, checked Oct 9, 2026)
- NY09: Silver Bay YMCA, Seasonal Staff Booklet 2026 (Full page read, checked Oct 9, 2026) Current careers page links this 2026 booklet; dates and deductions are year-specific.
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NonprofitAccepts applicationsPaid
Ashokan Center
Outdoor education and retreat campus · Olivebridge, Ulster County
Outdoor educator · Program and facility support
Ashokan operates a residential environmental education and retreat facility. Its standing educator description combines school instruction in ecology, living history and creative activities with preparation, maintenance and cleaning. The housing provision is explicit for full-time educators and occasionally available to on-call staff with long commutes. This makes it a strong residential alternative for qualified applicants interested in youth education. The page is undated, so its advertised terms demonstrate a recruitment model and require confirmation for an actual current opening and next training cohort. NY10
- Pay: Starts $17/hour first year with private room; offsite staff eligible for a higher rate.
- Housing or RV: Private room, free utilities and Wi-Fi; meals on program days.
- Hours and duties: Full-time Monday-Friday with occasional weekends; on-call roles also described.
- Season or dates: School-year programs; training normally late August and early February.
- Who can apply: Relevant teaching experience; degree and first aid preferred.
- How to apply: Use employer Join Our Team route; education contact for role enquiries.
- Still to confirm: Confirm whether full-time or on-call educator intake is active and housing availability.
Place guide: Ashokan Center
Ashokan Center [email protected] 845-594-3161
Sources (1) and research ID NY009
- NY10: Ashokan Center, Outdoor Educators (Full page read, checked Oct 9, 2026) Standing undated employer description, not independently confirmed vacant.
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CountyAccepts applicationsMixed
Suffolk County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation
Park attendant and park stewardship programs · Long Island county campgrounds, beaches and parks
Park attendant · Entrance station staff · Park steward
Suffolk explicitly recruits park attendants for registration, entrance fees, office support and maintenance. This is a close paid match to host duties without an advertised residential component. The same page separately describes volunteer park stewards who monitor grounds and report conditions, plus more specialized security and shorebird jobs. Its dates are mixed: the 2026 endangered-species application deadline passed March 15. Treat attendants as a standing recruitment route and volunteer stewardship as its own agreement, not a single free-camping work package. NY14
- Season or dates: Season not specified
- Who can apply: Park attendants 16+; weekend, holiday, early and evening availability.
- How to apply: Download temporary employment application; submit through page contact or Parks Operations Office, 200 Montauk Highway, West Sayville.
- Still to confirm: Ask personnel which park attendant assignments remain or when next seasonal intake begins.
Suffolk County Parks 631-854-4949
Sources (1) and research ID NY013
- NY14: Suffolk County Parks, Employment and Volunteer Opportunities (Full page read, checked Oct 9, 2026) Mixed dates: park attendant standing description, 2026 plover deadline March 15 already passed.
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PrivateAccepts applicationsPaid
Swan Bay Resort & Marina
RV resort and marina careers · Thousand Islands
Marina attendant · Grounds maintenance · Housekeeping · Marine mechanic
The resort maintains an employer careers page naming dock attendants, maintenance tradespeople, housekeepers and marine mechanics, with direct application forms. Marina attendants assist customers using slips, boat rentals and the launch, making the role relevant to recreation hosting beyond campgrounds. The resort advertises employee benefits subject to eligibility and discounts on accommodations and marina services. Those discounts are not a promise of an employee RV site or housing. The undated role list provides a credible hiring route while individual availability and wages remain to be confirmed. NY17
- Season or dates: Season not specified
- How to apply: Choose specific role and its employer-linked Jotform application.
- Still to confirm: Ask whether the chosen vacancy includes any RV arrangement, all-hours pay and seasonal end date.
Place guide: Swan Bay Resort & Marina
Sources (1) and research ID NY016
- NY17: Swan Bay Resort & Marina, Careers (Full page read, checked Oct 9, 2026)
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NonprofitAccepts applicationsPaid
Chautauqua Institution
Cultural campus, venues and seasonal visitor operations · Chautauqua, western New York
Visitor services · Ticket and gate staff · Facilities support · Seasonal hospitality
Chautauqua advertises both career and seasonal employment tied to its cultural and educational campus, with separate guidance for new and returning applicants. The main 2026 Summer Assembly ran June 27-August 30, and the page notes that some appointments can extend before or after it. This adds a western-New-York attraction and event-campus employer rather than another campground chain. The checked page is a recruitment gateway, not proof of an unfilled ticket, grounds or guest-services job. Individual accommodation arrangements were not verified. NY18
- Season or dates: Main 2026 assembly June 27-August 30; role-specific pre/post-season work possible.
- How to apply: Employment page → New Candidates → employer vacancy board.
- Still to confirm: Locate next dated guest-services or facilities requisition and confirm housing only if stated there.
Place guide: Chautauqua Institution
Sources (1) and research ID NY017
- NY18: Chautauqua Institution, Employment (Full page read, checked Oct 9, 2026) 2026 assembly dates June 27-August 30; individual current requisition not inspected.
Volunteer program (5)
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StateVolunteer programVolunteer
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
Campground Ambassador Program · Adirondacks and Catskills
Campground ambassador · Outdoor activity leader
DEC uses experienced campers to welcome visitors, explain local recreation and run informal activities at participating forest campgrounds. Its 2026 list includes North-South Lake and Kenneth L. Wilson in the Catskills and sites such as Cranberry Lake, Meacham Lake and Rogers Rock in the Adirondacks. The application period has explicitly ended. The continuing program is a strong recruitment relationship for CampHostJobs, but the page directs readers to watch for 2027 information rather than offering a verified open placement. NY01
- Housing or RV: Campsite provided; bring personal camping equipment. Up to five additional people subject to campground rules.
- Hours and duties: Two-week assignment; five days/week, 2-5 hours/day; additional availability expected.
- Season or dates: 2026 July 1-Labor Day; 2026 applications closed.
- Who can apply: At least 18.
- How to apply: Monitor DEC ambassador page for the next application period.
- Still to confirm: Record 2027 participating facilities and intake dates when announced.
Sources (1) and research ID NY001
- NY01: NYS DEC, Campground Ambassador (Full page read, checked Oct 9, 2026) 2026 intake ended; 2027 notice not yet posted.
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StateVolunteer programVolunteer
NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
Camper Assistance Program (CAP) · Statewide participating parks including western NY, Finger Lakes and Long Island
Camper assistant · Visitor orientation volunteer
CAP belongs to the state parks agency, separately from DEC campground ambassadors. It exchanges camping for visitor assistance, nature or recreation activities and small service tasks between maintenance visits. Participating facilities on the official list range from Allegany and Evangola in the west through Cayuga Lake and Sampson to Hither Hills on Long Island. Applications go to individual park offices. A listed park participates in the program; the list does not establish that its next season has an available host slot. NY02
- Housing or RV: Free campsite during assignment.
- Hours and duties: Usually 2-4 weeks; five days/week, 2-5 hours/day, with on-call expectations.
- Season or dates: Usually Memorial Day-Labor Day; park manager determines dates.
- Who can apply: Experienced campers age 18 or older.
- How to apply: Contact office of a park listed on official CAP page.
- Still to confirm: Request the specific park vacancy calendar and site utilities.
Sources (1) and research ID NY002
- NY02: NYS OPRHP, Camper Assistance Program (Full page read, checked Oct 9, 2026)
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NonprofitVolunteer programVolunteer
Mohonk Preserve
Trailhead, visitor center and land stewardship volunteers · Shawangunk Ridge / Gardiner
Trailhead ambassador · Interpretive guide · Trail keeper · Backcountry patrol
The 2026 handbook verifies a substantial volunteer system with trained coordinators rather than simply a general invitation to donate time. Visitor roles include trailhead and bike ambassadors, interpretation and winter activities; stewardship includes trails, gardens and invasive-plant work. New volunteers complete an application and orientation, with spring sessions and occasional other training arrangements. These are useful day-use host and caretaker categories for the site. Volunteer access privileges are described, but the handbook does not establish residential housing or an RV placement. NY11
- Season or dates: Season not specified
- How to apply: Handbook links volunteer application and training pages.
- Still to confirm: Match applicant skills to a current coordinator and next orientation, preserving nonresident status.
Place guide: Mohonk Preserve
Mohonk Preserve [email protected]
Sources (1) and research ID NY010
- NY11: Mohonk Preserve, Volunteer Handbook 2026 (Full page read, checked Oct 9, 2026)
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FederalVolunteer programVolunteer
National Park Service
Fire Island National Seashore volunteer program · Fire Island / Patchogue, Long Island
Tour and program volunteer · Visitor support · Grounds cleanup
Fire Island invites volunteers to help deliver tours and programs, assist research and collections, and participate in cleanup work. This gives a federal coastal and cultural-site route distinct from inland campground hosting and private marinas. The checked page was last updated in 2024 and its current-opportunities section did not expose a dated placement. It therefore supports a continuing park contact, not a guaranteed assignment or live vacancy. Neither resident accommodation nor ferry or transport assistance was documented on the checked page. NY15
- Season or dates: Season not specified
- How to apply: Use volunteer page email link or park contact.
- Still to confirm: Request a current position description including worksite access and any transportation support.
Place guide: Fire Island National Seashore
National Park Service 631-515-5557
Sources (1) and research ID NY014
- NY15: National Park Service, Volunteer at Fire Island National Seashore (Full page read, checked Oct 9, 2026) Page updated August 19, 2024; no individual dated placement visible.
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FederalVolunteer programVolunteer
US Fish and Wildlife Service / Friends of Montezuma
Montezuma NWR visitor and Wildlife Drive volunteers · Finger Lakes / Seneca Falls area
Wildlife Drive host · Visitor center attendant · Nature store attendant
Montezuma explicitly offers a Wildlife Drive Host role welcoming and orienting visitors, answering questions and explaining refuge rules. The refuge also recruits visitor-center and Friends nature-store attendants, with staff training and recurring shifts. These are strong day-use host leads even though they are not campground jobs. Habitat work is coordinated through a separate multi-organization MARSH partnership with Audubon. The official page does not promise an RV site; any overnight accommodation must be established separately and should not be inferred from the host title. NY16
- Hours and duties: Visitor center/store 10am-3pm, as little as monthly or one/two days weekly; drive-host shifts flexible.
- Season or dates: Visitor center/store April 1-November 30, weather dependent.
- How to apply: Contact refuge visitor-services lead about host or attendant roles.
- Still to confirm: Confirm the active roster and distinguish FWS visitor duty from Friends retail volunteering.
Place guide: Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge
US Fish and Wildlife Service [email protected]
Sources (1) and research ID NY015
- NY16: US Fish and Wildlife Service, Montezuma NWR Get Involved (Full page read, checked Oct 9, 2026)
Past hiring only (1)
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CountyPast hiring onlyPaid
Dutchess County
Seasonal Student Worker — parks assignments · Bowdoin Park and Wilcox Park
Park assistant · Naturalist program assistant
The official 2026 student-worker announcement includes parks assignments, with work at Bowdoin and Wilcox and assistance to park naturalists. It is a useful county employer route for outdoor operations and visitor-program support, particularly for applicants who meet the student category. This is not evidence of a retiree host program or complimentary campsite. The county recruitment record was indexed, but direct retrieval returned an error. Its summer timing and incomplete access mean no continuing vacancy, pay or housing terms are certified here. NY13
- Season or dates: 2026 seasonal recruitment; next intake not verified.
- Who can apply: Student-worker category; detailed current eligibility requires review.
- How to apply: Dutchess County civil-service recruitment announcement and successor listings.
- Still to confirm: Check 2027 notice and whether separate nonstudent park-attendant roles are offered.
Sources (1) and research ID NY012
- NY13: Dutchess County, 2026 Seasonal Student Worker announcement 1052 (Official indexed evidence only, checked Oct 9, 2026) Official recruitment index names Bowdoin and Wilcox parks; direct retrieval returned 500.
Not yet confirmed (2)
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CountyNot yet confirmedPaid
Westchester County Parks
Wilderness experience and nature-camp staffing · Cranberry Lake Preserve and Trailside Nature Museum
Wilderness experience leader · Nature education staff
Official county search evidence identifies wilderness experience leaders supporting summer nature programming, including Conservationists in Training, at Cranberry Lake Preserve and Trailside Nature Museum. These names establish a local-government museum and nature-center recruitment route outside state parks. The detailed page did not load during direct verification, so this record does not establish an open position, current pay or residential arrangements. Use the county seasonal recruiting system to identify the next dated announcement and distinguish park employment from separate foundation volunteer projects. NY12
- Season or dates: Season not specified
- How to apply: County Parks page and official seasonal portal https://parkseasonal.westchestergov.com/parkseasonal/login
- Still to confirm: Retrieve a dated county job description and establish age, qualifications and worksite.
Sources (1) and research ID NY011
- NY12: Westchester County Parks, Wilderness Experience Leaders (Official indexed evidence only, checked Oct 9, 2026) Official indexed role description; direct page inaccessible.
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MunicipalNot yet confirmedPaid
New York City Department of Parks and Recreation
City Park Worker for Natural Areas · Queens / NYC natural areas
Natural-area maintenance worker · Park operations
A city-government listing for natural-area park workers demonstrates that the urban layer includes paid outdoor care and operations work as well as volunteer greeters. The official search index describes a term beginning July 2026 and running into October 2027. Although the page resolved, the full duties, eligibility and application deadline were not exposed in the retrieved text. This record therefore remains a verification prospect. It must not be promoted as currently open or as an RV-friendly appointment on the strength of a future employment end date. NY19
- Season or dates: Indexed employment term July 2026-October 1, 2027; recruitment deadline unverified.
- How to apply: Official NYC jobs requisition and successor Parks listings.
- Still to confirm: Read complete posting and deadline, including residency and civil-service requirements.
Sources (1) and research ID NY018
- NY19: City of New York, City Park Worker for Natural Areas (Partial page, checked Oct 9, 2026) Official indexed term July 2026-October 1, 2027; page metadata retrieved but full description not exposed.
From CampHostJobs research checked Oct 9, 2026; each source shows its own check date. A blank contact means no public recruiting email or phone was recorded, not that there is no way to reach them. Run one of these places? Get a free listing and a link to your website, or post a job for free.
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