Really Pay to Review My Application

[ricklord2001]

My wife and I have sold our house and will be fulltiming for a while.
I saw that a State Park had an Opening for a host and thought I'd check it out as the description was very vague. Following advice I got from here I thought I'd call and see exactly what was expected for duties. That didn't go very well and every time I asked a question the response was do you have a problem with that. I really got the impression that you do what they ask and shut up. I really didn't get much out of it.
They advised me to fill out paperwork online and they might contact me. So I said what to heck and filled them out figuring I'd get my answers after/if they contacted me. Well I hit submit and there was a fee of $15 to review the application. It's not the $15 but to pay to have someone review my application just didn't agree with me. I've gotten jobs paying a lot of money and never been hit with this.
Is this the norm for workkamping? Just really rubbed me the wrong way in addition to the way I was treated during the phone call.

[mustangglp]

Do you have to pay for each one you apply for?
Sounds like more tax's in the name of fees! More and more of this going on.

[JimM68]

Not a chance on a sunny day I would pay dime one for the "opportunity" of submitting an application for a volunteer position.

Now if I was granted that position if I passed a background check, that would be different and I'd probably agree to pay a small fee.

[brookside]

I think it is always good to share information like this. I could understand a requirement for those that are being hired to complete before assignment but anything else, no. Information sharing is good.

[deltamaster]

I hosted in the two Morrow Bay camp grounds for 18 months and did not have to pay for the Livescan. It was done at the ranger station at Hurst.

[DianneOK]

Huntram....We worked McGrath for 5 winters....they started the fingerprinting and b g checks around '04 I believe. We had to pay for the fingerprinting. We were irritated, but it was only once and on file forever.

I realized what a good idea it was when some of our "regular" homeless ex con addicts tried to apply for the positions. There were some real bad apples that could have slipped in if not for the checks and those of us who volunteered regularly and knew them. Scary....be aware that in that area you cannot let your guard down regarding your property.The rangers are spread thin as are other LEO's.

[huntram]

We are starting our first hosting at Emma Wood State Park in Ventura, Ca on the 10th. There was no application fee but once we committed and they to us they did have us pay $10.00 for the Livescan background (directly to the Sheriff dept). Seems reasonable to us.
Brian

[DianneOK]

And if folks begin pushing for "unionizing" workcampers on this forum, they will be deleted........

I will say it once more....if you don't like a position....move on.....

[W4RLR]

deltamaster wrote:

The only way for this to stop is for we as a group to boycott these practices. When the pool of volunteers dries up then these places will realize that their practices are counter productive and stop the shenanigans.

No, what will happen is the campgrounds will be privatized or closed. The state governments in most instances consider campgrounds to be a thorn in their sides that they would rather farm out to someone else to take the headaches. Lawmakers won't let them do it. But with enough pushback from the agencies that run the parks, the days where a private company is running the campgrounds, charging high fees for subpar service, and services being limited to the high end, well heeled "resort" user are not far on the horizon.

[usnret]

I have read all of the post in this thread and the answer is very simple. If you don't like the $15.00 application fee, simply don't apply. It is a condition of employment/volunteering mentioned up front.

[BillAnn_C]

Arizona also requires the volunteer to pay for their own background check. Nice campgrounds though.

[camperpaul]

According to the new federal guidelines, all volunteers must undergo criminal background checks. The cost ($25 to $50) of this is sometimes born by the applicant for the volunteer positions.

[Pogoil]

Some would complain if a Prevost coach was supplied for the host to use.
And full pay. Just like some complain at their jobs for many years till they retire.

Pogoil.

[deltamaster]

Really is a smack in the face. After all, a work camping volunteer for these places is not paid anything... sure you get a free camp site but really.

With that free camp site comes the expectation that any time you are physically in the site you are on the clock and do not dare tell a customer that you are not on duty.

The only way for this to stop is for we as a group to boycott these practices. When the pool of volunteers dries up then these places will realize that their practices are counter productive and stop the shenanigans.

[stickdog]

We've stayed at several Georgia State Parks. One in particular would be well worth the fifteen bucks for a background check + excess insurance whatever that is. That particular park is always covered with hosts in the months we would want to vol.