California Work Camping question

[Executive45]

We've been offered a work camping position at one of the California State Parks. We were sent all the necessary forms California requires, filled them out and sent them back. However, one of the forms was for a "Live Scan" which apparently is required besides the standard background check. I've no problem with the Live Scan requirement but from what I've been able to ascertain, this can only be done while one is on California soil. :E. Since we are full timers, we had not entertained the idea of traveling to California before the work camping gig is solidified. From what I've gathered, the Live Scan can take up to 3 weeks to clear. So here's my issue....I'm hoping someone who's gone before me can shed some light on how best to handle this dilemma.

The ranger called and offered the position 'subject to' filling out the forms and passing the required background check, drug test, Live Scan etc. The Live Scan cannot be done unless one is on California soil. So, if I understand how this works, I must travel to California, submit to the Live Scan, (simply the taking of fingerprints) and then wait until I receive clearance. From there, I would then negotiate with the ranger as far as hours, start and completion dates etc. This seems pretty complicated to me and maybe I'm overthinking it. I'm ready to throw in the towel but it's an awesome opportunity so I'm looking for advice. The ranger said he wasn't sure how the Live Scan thing worked either, so he is checking into it. I'd like some first hand experience from someone who's done it before so I can bounce that off of whatever the ranger comes up with.

Can anyone help?

Thanks in advance...Dennis

[azjeffh]

Even though I was fingerprinted in '78 to get my DOD clearance, I had to do it again in 2015 to receive my TSA PreCheck, and again this year to get my Global Entry card.

Wouldn't you think they'd be able to share the results?

[DianneOK]

I volunteered for Ca State Parks for 9 years...never, ever had a rude, uncaring ranger, or host for that matter.....

[jake2250]

donn0128 wrote:
From what I have heard from Californians there is zero chance I would want to host in one of their parks. Too many have told me about the rude, uncaring attitude of rangers and hosts. You might want to rethink the california host thing. Or at least get some first hand information about how their parks are run.

Maybe you should heed your own advice with the last sentence, Maybe you should get some first hand knowledge before piping off about something you know nothing about!
It's pre conceived attitudes like that Rangers have to deal with on a day to day basis,, out of staters coming in with entitlement and ignorant attitudes.
If you would have actually read the OP's question and had something to offer then we wouldn't have to be going here!! Wasn't about YOU!!

[Godsey97]

I am a LEO and in fact supervise the Identification section of our local police department. We fingerprint people ALL day. Many as a result of being suspects/charged in crimes, others in regards to background checks for employment. We do "Livescan", which is essentially taking your fingerprints and having them sent electronically to the state and FBI for a criminal check to determine if you are disqualified from having whatever position you are applying for. This is typically done for "IN STATE" (Ohio in our case) only.

We also have many people who appear with fingerprint cards supplied by potential employers. This is typical for people who are applying for jobs out of state. We roll the fingerprints on the cards and then give the cards to the individual to submit to the agency on their own. We, of course, verify idenitity by government issued photo ID and sign the cards, etc.

I don't know (as we have never printed for potential CA parks work kampers) but we have fingerprinted for people applying for jobs teaching, working in financial industry, etc. in other states.

May apply, may not.

[maggybeck]

We spent several years volunteering at various places. While researching these jobs we found that most of the State parks require the volunteer to clean bathrooms. Not for us I'm afraid. However we also spent several seasons at Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds and the janitorial work was contracted out. Also we spent a couple of seasons in National Parks. Great times. Research Volunteer.gov and select states you are interested in. Can't help you with the fingerprint issue sorry. Both of us have ours on file. And no, not criminal files lol.

[Naio]

Jon and Sherry: That sounds like a great solution.

Msmith1199: Is that how your bathroom is built?

I don't think I want to use a public bathroom someone has tackled with a pressure washer. Too much chance of toilet water splashed EVERYWHERE.

[hocker]

We are currently in WA state and contacted a CA state park last week about volunteering there in the Fall. Since we do not intend to travel to CA before our sceduled arrival date, I asked about the Live Scan issue. I was told to submit the usual application paperwork now and if we are "hired," when we get to CA in the Fall we go to the first police station we can find for the fingerprinting then continue to the park. While waiting for the results we will get set up, do orientation, training, whatever...everything but work on a cash register. They said it doesn't usually take too long, a few days. Sounds fairly easy...

[msmith1199]

Cleaning bathrooms would not be difficult work if they are designed correctly. bathrooms at a campground should be designed so you can go in there with a small pressure washer and clean everything. Basically a big drain at a low point in the middle and everything made to be water proof including the walls. Use the pressure washer and a mop to clean everything and the use a leaf blower to dry up any remaining water. Done in 10 minutes.

[wannavolunteerF]

RV daytrader... that list is all consuming.. not everyone will do everything on the list... and some parks don't require cleaning bathrooms, etc.. GA has paid employees to clean bathrooms in most.. the host might stock extra supplies or notify park personnel if there was need to clean off schedule.. exterior cleaning only includes picking up trash from campsites, if someone leaves it when they leave site.

[RV_daytrader]

I never workcamped so I just did a quick search for info and found this...

A campground host usually resides in their own RV at the campground they are hosting, and are typically responsible for:

Greeting guests
Collecting fees
Preparing weekly revenue and attendance reports
Helping guests solve problems
Cleaning exterior and interior facilities (particularly bathroom buildings)
Some light maintenance work.

This one.....Cleaning exterior and interior facilities (particularly bathroom buildings)...would kill it for me!

[aerbus32]

donn0128 wrote:

4X4Dodger wrote:


Please stop spreading innuendo and third hand rumors just because you have an axe to grind with California.

Nope! No axe to grind here. Just relating what Californians tell me every year when they come north to use my Oregon State Parks.

By your snide comments you have experience in almost every CA state park? Didnt think so!

We hadn't stayed in a Cal State park in a very long time until we were in the Morro Bay area around last February. Wound up talking to a lot of the campground hosts & at least one of the Rangers. All were great, as long as you abide by the rules. People also complain about employees at private parks, which is our mainstay. Once again, my experience has been these are people that think the rules are for everyone else. My wife & I seriously considered workamping at one point. Have some very affluent friends who do so in the Teton area & they love it.

[msmith1199]

The only thing I was able to find for you on out state finger printing was on a government webpage for teachers. Out of state teacher applicants are allowed to submit manual finger print cards, but they have to use the California forms, have their finger prints rolled by a law enforcement officer, and then mail them in to DOJ. The webpage doesn't talk about the time this takes, but I would imagine this may add a delay longer than the 2 to 3 weeks it takes to get livescan results back.

[msmith1199]

Executive wrote:
Thanks for the replies. Even those that weren't on topic. That said, this wasn't a Ford/Chevy, California/Oregon SP thing, but we could start another thread on that topic...:W. We've visited almost all the Oregon and California SP and like all our rigs, each has it's good points and bad. Personally, I've not found a State Park I didn't like.:):)

Back on topic, I heard from the head ranger yesterday afternoon. He is still climbing the ladder to get an answer to my question. So now I wait. I was hoping to hear from some work camper that went before me that experienced what I'm going through. Surely not all California w/c are from California..dunno. Anyway thanks for the replies so far. Please keep it civil.....Dennis

I have had a lot of experience with the Live Scan system, however, this particular question has never come up. While it's true that each state has Live Scan systems, you may or may not be able to use the system in another state for employment purposes. The California State Parks is going to be interested in a California DOJ search as well as a Federal NCIC search. While all states can do the NCIC search, they may be limited in their ability to do a California DOJ search for employment purposes.

The Live Scan system is run by California DOJ. This is an email address to support at the livescan office: livescansupport@doj.ca.gov

They would be the best ones to tell you if live scan can be done out of state or not. If it can't be done out of state, you may want to see if somebody at State Parks can allow you to do the Livescan on your first day in the position and take the chance you aren't a bad guy for the 2 to 3 weeks it takes to get the results back.

[4X4Dodger]

I just spent some days at the Patricks Point State Park in Trinidad California. (North of Eureka).

This park was stunning (and one I had not been to previously) and it is in need of camp hosts badly. In fact they have a flyer posted for an immediate position. They cannot open their other loops for lack of camp hosts.

In a discussion with the ONLY camp-host in the park his experience has been wonderful he said and they are moving on to another CA park to host for an additional 6 months before starting to travel again.

All of the people we met were friendly and helpful and the camp-host was my favorite kind. Glad to see you when you came looking for help or info but otherwise stayed out of your way.

So for the OP if you are lucky enough to get Patricks Point you will love it I am sure.