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

Were you in the military? Your prints would be available there, perhaps. Were you printed by any other authority?Vic

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.

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.Oh good grief! I doubt you have ever actually BEEN to a CA state park.We have been using CA State Parks alot on this trip to Alaska and we just left the one at Humboldt Redwoods.Our experience has been completely positive. The parks are beautiful, well managed and everyone at the parks has been very friendly and helpful.Please stop spreading innuendo and third hand rumors just because you have an axe to grind with California.

To the OP; The fastest and SUREST way to resolve this is to call back the Ranger who called you and find out what the rules REALLY are and to see if they can or are willing to accommodate your travel schedule.NO ONE else is going to be able to give you a dead certain answer to this except CA Parks.

More volunteers and workampers, less rangers. Think about it. Lower state payroll.

California Work Camping question | Good Sam Community

azjeffh
Explorer
May 23, 2016
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
Explorer
May 12, 2016
I volunteered for Ca State Parks for 9 years...never, ever had a rude, uncaring ranger, or host for that matter.....
jake2250
Explorer
May 12, 2016
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
Explorer
May 12, 2016
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
Explorer
May 08, 2016
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
Explorer II
Apr 25, 2016
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
Explorer
Apr 25, 2016
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
Explorer II
Apr 18, 2016
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
Explorer
Apr 17, 2016
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
Explorer
Apr 17, 2016
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!