FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 13, 2026
B-roll, interview and press conference footage included below.

MEDIA CONTACT: Karie Portillo, Karie.Portillo@cv.ca.gov, 916-584-1705

California Service Corps Offers Career Pathways in San Diego Area

What you need to know: California is recruiting 10,000 paid California Service Corps members to serve their communities, gain valuable experience and help tackle the state’s most pressing challenges. From responding to disasters to addressing food insecurity to tutoring students, members are on the frontlines of service — ready to step up when California needs them most.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Today, Josh Fryday, Governor’s Office of Service and Community Engagement (GO-Serve) Director and California Chief Service Officer, announced recruitment for more than 500 paid California Service Corps positions in the San Diego area that provide pathways to careers in education, the green economy, disaster response and recovery, and with local government agencies.

Director Fryday made the announcement with Clayton Tschudy, Executive Director of San Diego Canyonlands, and California Service Corps members during a service project at San Diego’s Swan Canyon where they planted and watered fire-resistant native plants.

More than 10,000 California Service Corps members throughout the state gain hands-on experience while serving their communities, earning money and building valuable career skills. Members support communities by taking environmental action, tutoring and mentoring students, responding to disasters, tackling food insecurity and connecting vulnerable Californians to critical resources and services.

This year’s recruitment efforts will highlight the California Men’s Service Challenge, a new initiative that encourages and helps men step up and serve their communities through the California Service Corps and volunteer and service opportunities with partner organizations.

“We’re calling on Californians to join up, lend a hand and step out into the community. We see and feel the difference when California Service Corps members are on the ground and engaging with their communities — making a lasting impact on our state,” said Governor Gavin Newsom. “More than ever, California is committed to investing in the next generation of emerging leaders and ensuring their path towards success.”

The California Service Corps is the largest state-level service force in the nation, consisting of four paid service programs:

• #CaliforniansForAll College Corps
• California Climate Action Corps
• Youth Service Corps
• AmeriCorps California

Combined, it is a force larger than the Peace Corps and is often mobilized when Californians are in need. California Service Corps members gain skills and experience while connecting with others and making a positive difference.

“The California Service Corps has become a powerful force for good. We have built a statewide army of Californians lifting up their communities while gaining experience, skills, connection and purpose. Today, we continue to call on a new generation of Californians to lead, solve problems and launch careers through service,” said GO-Serve Director Josh Fryday.

From strengthening local schools to supporting disaster recovery efforts, California Service Corps members are helping address California’s most pressing challenges while building pathways to careers.

Those interested in finding a paid service opportunity can learn more about the benefits and impact of service in this virtual workshop recording or go to CAServiceCorps.com.

INTERVIEWS AVAILABLE IN SPANISH AND ENGLISH: GO-Serve Director and California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday. Contact Karie Portillo, Karie.Portillo@cv.ca.gov, 916-584-1705.

RELATED FOOTAGE:

• Press Conference Livestream
• California Service Corps B-roll
• Video with Director Fryday
• Interview with Director Fryday
• Interview with California Climate Action Corps fellow Madelyn Mitchell

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING:

Ben McCue, California Volunteers Commissioner and Outdoor Outreach Executive Director:
“Every day, I work alongside young people in San Diego who are eager to give back and connect to something bigger than themselves. Through the California Service Corps, they’re not only meeting critical community needs — they’re gaining paid experience and discovering a sense of purpose that can shape their future. Our partnership with the California Service Corps has supercharged our impact at Outdoor Outreach, helping us engage thousands of young people while building a strong pipeline of future leaders. We’ve even seen corps members return for additional service and step into staff roles, demonstrating the lasting power of this program to transform lives and communities.”

Clayton Tschudy, Executive Director of San Diego Canyonlands:
“Our California Climate Action Corps fellows, and the hundreds of volunteers they recruit, have supercharged Canyonlands’ equitable community engagement bringing local nature stewardship to the underserved neighborhoods of San Diego. Our fellows are part of the Canyonlands’ family. Their passion and support goes beyond simple volunteer recruitment to advance critical parts of our mission including habitat restoration for imperiled species in the city and backcountry, habitat-friendly fire resilience and community defensible space support for the elderly and disadvantaged, creative social media educational campaigns, supporting youth interns from Title 1 schools, even advancing partner stewardship development with other environmental organizations. The Climate Action Corps is a living example of the transformational impact of passionate service for community-based organizations and the people they serve.”

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About California Volunteers, Office of the Governor 
California Volunteers, under GO-Serve, empowers Californians to take action to improve their communities. California Volunteers is the state office tasked with recruiting Californians to engage in public service.