The Official Site of
West Virginia State Parks & Forests

West Virginia state parks, forests and wildlife management areas accept applications for temporary employment year-round. The strongest employment period is generally from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day and provide services to a vacationing public. 

Other employment on a year-round basis includes housekeeping, restaurant staff and front desk opportunities.  Pay rates begin at minimum wage and dependent on job responsibilities.

Employment Announcement for part time work:

Applications are accepted anytime.  Click on the park name to send an email to discuss your opportunity to work at a WV State Park.

Jobs and employment opportunity descriptions and areas:

Campground Attendant

Responsibilities: Campground attendants are responsible for the upkeep and control of campground areas. Campground attendant duties may include fee collection and camper registration, litter removal, bathhouse maintenance, security patrol, firewood sales and game equipment rental.

Duration: Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day (may begin earlier or extend into the fall season).

This position is available at the following parks and forests: Audra State Park, Babcock State Park, Beech Fork State Park,  Blackwater Falls State Park, Bluestone State Park, Cabwaylingo State Forest,  Camp Creek State Park, Cedar Creek State Park,  Chief Logan State Park, Coopers Rock State Forest, Greenbrier State Forest, Holly River State Park,   Kanawha State Forest, Moncove Lake State Park,  North Bend State Park,   Pipestem Resort State Park, Stonewall Resort, Tomlinson Run State Park, Twin Falls Resort State Park, Tygart Lake State Park, and  Watoga State Park.

Front Desk Personnel

Parks with lodges employee full-time and part-time employees to take reservations, provide information, check-in guest and conduct front line tasks related to hotel operations, including but not limited to sign in, group blocks, night audits, reconciling accounts, preparation of confirmation letters, computer based reservation system, etc.   Lodge operations are year-round and are staffed 24/7. 

This position is available at the following parks and forests:Blackwater Falls State Park, Cacapon Resort State Canaan Valley Resort, Chief Logan Lodge, Hawks Nest State Park, North Bend State Park, Pipestem Resort State Park, Stonewall Jackson Lake State Park, Twin Falls Resort State Park, Tygart Lake State Park.

Housekeepers and Custodians

Parks with lodges and cabins employee full-time and part-time employees for maintaining overnight facilities.

Responsibilities: Upkeep of public areas, cleaning and preparation of lodge rooms and cabins for overnight guests, linen inventory and laundry  where laundry service is in-house; public restrooms, lobbies, corridors and general facilities or building cleanliness.

Duration:  Position is necessary year-round and most parks; seasonal for parks and forests that closed rental units in winter months.

This position is available at the following parks and forests: Babcock State Park, Beech Fork State Park, Blackwater Falls State Park,  Bluestone State Park, Cabwaylingo State Forest,  Cacapon Resort State Park, Cedar Creek State Park,  Chief Logan Lodge, , Greenbrier State Forest, Hawks Nest State Park, Holly River State Park, North Bend State Park, Pipestem Resort State Park, Stonewall Resort, Twin Falls Resort State Park, Tygart Lake State Park, and Watoga State Park.

Park Attendant

Responsibilities: Park attendant responsibilities may include maintenance and office work, game equipment rental, housekeeping assistance, food and merchandise sales, fee collection, and other general support services. This position is available at most parks, forests and wildlife management areas.

Duration: generally from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day (may begin earlier)

Restaurants – Wait staff, Cooks, Dishwashers, Banquet servers, related food service work

Parks with lodges offer both full time and temporary employment for restaurant operations.  Temporary employment is flexible and provided a wonderful opportunity for individuals looking to supplement an income.  Ten parks operate restaurants, snackbars and/or lounges and offer a variety of position options.  

Restaurants open year round include:  Restaurants with * are operated by WV State Parks.  Blackwater Falls State Park*,  Cacapon Resort State Park*,  Canaan Valley Resort, Chief Logan Lodge*,  Hawks Nest State Park,  North Bend State Park*, Pipestem Resort State Park,  Stonewall Resort,  Twin Falls Resort State Park,  Tygart Lake State Park*.

Restaurants that are open on a seasonal basis and managed by a concession contract are:  Cass Scenic Railroad,  Holly River State Park, and Watoga State Park.

Summer Naturalist

Responsibilities: Employees in this position will be responsible for, or will assist in, the planning and leading of weekly nature interpretative and recreation programs in a West Virginia state park or forest.

Duties include: planning and leading interpretive walks and activities; presenting audio visual slide shows and movies; leading planned recreational activities such as softball, volleyball, craft programs, etc.; preparing the weekly program which includes planning, typing, copying and distributing; assisting in the planning of various special events; completing weekly and monthly reports; and other related or assigned duties.

Desirable skills include:

• West Virginia flora and fauna identification skills.
• General knowledge of the use of field guides.
• General knowledge of the use of audio visual equipment.
• Public speaking skills.
• Ability to work with people of all ages.
• Strong written and oral communications skills.
• Ability and willingness to complete necessary reports and forms.

Duration: Mid May through Labor Day
Training is provided.

This position is available at the following parks and forests:   Babcock State Park*,  Beech Fork State Park,  Blackwater Falls State Park*, Bluestone State Park*,  Cacapon Resort Park*,   Cass Scenic Railroad State Park*,  Cedar Creek State Park,  Holly River State Park*,  Lost River State Park*, North Bend State Park,  Pipestem Resort State Park,   Twin Falls Resort State Park,  Tygart Lake State Park,  Watoga State Park*,  Greenbrier State Forest*. 

Summer Lifeguard

Responsibilities: Lifeguards oversee the swimming pool and surrounding area to prevent accidents and to rescue swimmers in distress, collect admission fees, maintain bathhouse and pool grounds, and enforce swimming pool rules and regulations.

Requirements: Lifeguards must have as a minimum Basic Lifeguarding for pool side assignments and full lifeguard training for beach lifeguarding as certified by Red Cross. Both certification levels must also include a current standard First Aid card. Other lifeguarding certification, such as Boy Scouts of America and YMCA will be considered.

Duration: Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.

This position is available at the following parks, forests, and  wildlife management areas: Babcock State Park*,  Beech Fork State Park,   Berkeley Springs State Park,  Bluestone State Park,   Cacapon Resort Park,   Cedar Creek State Park,   Chief Logan State Park,  Holly River State Park,   Lost River State Park,   Moncove Lake State Park,   North Bend State Park,   Pipestem Resort State Park,   Tomlinson Run State Park,   Twin Falls Resort State Park,   Watoga State Park*,  Watters Smith Memorial State Park,  Cabwaylingo State Forest,  Greenbrier State Forest,  Panther State Forest,  Berwind Lake Wildlife Management Area.

For more information about job opportunities in West Virginia State Parks, Forests and Wildlife Management Areas contact the address below, or contact the park or forest directly.

West Virginia Division of Natural Resources
Parks & Recreation
324 4th Avenue
South Charleston, WV 25303

304/558-2764 or 1-800-CALL WVA