Construction & Maintenance Project Specialist (Larrabee State Park)

Full Job Description

Job Title: Construction & Maintenance Project Specialist
Location: Bellingham, WA
Closes: January 11th, 2026, at 11:55 p.m. PST

Position Status: This is a permanent position.
This position is not eligible to telework, as physical on-site presence is required to perform essential functions.

About this position:

The Construction and Maintenance Project Specialist will serve as the maintenance and project contact for the Whatcom Bays Area including associated park managed facilities and properties. The position is located at Larrabee State Park but may cover all parks within the area. Duties include coordinating and working cooperatively with area and park staff, responsible for project identification, planning, development, and completion of projects of a routine and non-routine nature (including emergency and urgent repairs), as well as overseeing maintenance and operation of agency owned equipment, tools, buildings and facilities.

If you have a passion for working outside among beautiful spaces and places surrounded by coastal waters, forested trails, and scenic mountains then picture yourself as the Project Specialist for the Whatcom Bays Construction and Maintenance (C&M) Team.

Your work area will have you traveling throughout the Whatcom Bays Area; Larrabee, Birch Bay, and Peace Arch State Parks.

From orcas and seals to eagles and elk, the natural beauty and wilderness of these places will captivate you as you provide meaningful and vital work serving Washington's State Parks and the public who enjoy them.

In this dynamic position, you’ll take on both independent and team-based responsibilities, which are crucial in supporting the operations of the Parks found in the Whatcom Bays area, working alongside other construction and maintenance positions as well as an exceptional team of Rangers and an incredible group of Support Staff and Managers.

As the Project Specialist you will have the privilege of assessing Park needs and working with the C&M Supervisor on project planning, development, and implementation.

The ideal candidate will be an effective communicator, self-motivated, adaptable as well as dependable.

If you are knowledgeable in construction and maintenance and possess trade skills to accomplish projects and tasks, are willing to learn, have attention for detail, and are capable of working close with staff, volunteers, contractors, and vendors, we encourage you to apply.

Requirements

Under the direct supervision of the Construction and Maintenance Supervisor, this position performs advanced skill level work in various trades accomplishing routine planned and emergency maintenance in a park area.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Performs construction, maintenance and repair work, including preventative maintenance.
• Performs journey level work in equipment operations, repair (equipment, facility, and general), park improvement projects, carpentry, masonry, roofing, plumbing, and electrical trades.
• Maintains buildings and structures, floats, docks, and other Park infrastructure including sewer lift stations, septic vaults, water systems, and irrigation systems.
• Constructs/modifies new and existing infrastructure, as necessary.
• Operates Parks owned light and small engine equipment such as mowers, trucks/vehicles, snow removal, chainsaws, brush chippers, stump grinders, welders, and other equipment used in the park.
• Provides regular condition assessments on Park grounds, structures, and facilities; identifies failures, safety risks, and damage.
• Guarantees all training requirements are met to conduct safe operations.
• Completes all monthly reports, including timesheets, WEX/VUY reports, vehicle inspections, etc., on time.
• Ensures all safety parameters are being met and followed; assists with regular safety checks and participates in safety meetings; completes all incident reports within the 24-hour reporting period.
• Works collaboratively on O-34 projects, submits projects directly, assists with project proposals or project information collection, and with project work and completion, when applicable.

Requirements:
Uniform: All Construction & Maintenance Specialist are required to wear a uniform. A complete and properly worn uniform helps establish the professional identity of a Construction & Maintenance Specialist and promotes respect as a Washington State Parks employee. All Construction & Maintenance Specialists will receive 6 shirts within the first year (2 shirts per calendar year after the first year), 1 jacket every 3 years, 1 baseball cap every year, 1 safety vest every 3 years, and a clothing stipend of $200 per year, and a $250 boot stipend every 2 years. Uniform stipends are intended to offset the cost of clothing worn in the workplace such as pants, boots, raingear, etc.


Working Conditions: Position works four (4) days a week, ten (10) hours per day, Monday- Thursday with core working hours are typically 6:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Work hours may vary depending on the season and the incumbent may be required to adjust their work schedule to meet business needs.

Work tasks vary, which require attending to customer service and maintenance needs in various weather conditions including inclement weather, at heights, within confined spaces, and below grades. Work is performed in all types of terrain and will require sitting, standing, digging, bending, twisting, and walking for long periods of time. This position will require extensive travel between parks, throughout the Whatcom Bays area. Occasional travel might be required for statewide meetings, trainings, or other field work and will be necessary in all types of weather conditions and climates. Overnight travel will be rare but possible.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Option #1

Four (4) years of advanced level experience in two (2) or more of the construction/building trades to include: building maintenance, repair, remodeling, construction duties, and mechanical/machinery operation and a high school graduation or GED and a valid unrestricted (other than corrective lenses) driver's license.

A Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) must be obtained within the first 12 months of employment and a first aid/CPR certification that must be obtained within the first 24 months of employment.

Option #2

Two (2) years as a Maintenance Mechanic 1 and a high school graduation or GED and a valid unrestricted (other than corrective lenses) driver's license.

A Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) must be obtained within the first 12 months of employment and a first aid/CPR certification that must be obtained within the first 24 months of employment.

Option #3

A combination of up to two (2) years of technical or vocational training or education in a building/construction trade AND advanced level experience in two (2) or more of the construction/building trades to include: building maintenance, repair, remodeling, construction duties, and mechanical/machinery operation equaling at least four (4) years combined experience and a high school graduation or GED and a valid unrestricted (other than corrective lenses) driver's license.

A Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) must be obtained within the first 12 months of employment and a first aid/CPR certification that must be obtained within the first 24 months of employment.

COMPETENCIES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to work independently while using good judgement and problem-solving skills in decision making.
• Ability to lead lower-level staff.
• Awareness and willingness to follow safety policies and protocols.
• Promotes cooperation and an eagerness and capacity to learn new skills.
• Self-starter who can see a project through to completion.
• Ability to communicate clearly, effectively, and concisely, both written and oral and accept authority.
• Take action to learn and grow.
• Ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience working for Washington State Parks or a similar parks and recreation entity.
• Advanced level experience driving and operating a variety of vehicles and light to heavy duty equipment.
• Advanced knowledge and experience working with various hand & power tools, including chainsaw operation certification.
• Intermediate technical knowledge and expertise in construction, installation, and problem-solving issues impacting agency facilities, sites and systems.
• Knowledge and experience with the use of Microsoft Office products, such as Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Knowledge and experience in project management to include planning, purchasing, and completion of tasks.
• Experience organizing work projects to include time management, multi-tasking, and communication.
• Knowledge and application of building codes and all other rules and regulations governing safety, repairs, and maintenance and construction of facilities and tasks.
• A Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

Requirements:

Uniform: All Construction & Maintenance Specialist are required to wear a uniform. A complete and properly worn uniform helps establish the professional identity of a Construction & Maintenance Specialist and promotes respect as a Washington State Parks employee. All Construction & Maintenance Specialists will receive 6 shirts within the first year (2 shirts per calendar year after the first year), 1 jacket every 3 years, 1 baseball cap every year, 1 safety vest every 3 years, and a clothing stipend of $200 per year, and a $250 boot stipend every 2 years. Uniform stipends are intended to offset the cost of clothing worn in the workplace such as pants, boots, raingear, etc.

Working Conditions: Position works four (4) days a week, ten (10) hours per day, 6:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Work hours may vary depending on the season and the incumbent may be required to adjust their work schedule to meet business needs. Work tasks vary, which require attending to customer service and maintenance needs in various weather conditions including inclement weather, at heights, within confined spaces, and below grades. Work is performed in all types of terrain and will require sitting, standing, digging, bending, twisting, and walking for long periods of time. This position will require travel between parks throughout the Whatcom Bays area.

Additional Information

HOW TO APPLY
To ensure consideration, please complete the online job application and profile at www.careers.wa.gov. You must attach or embed in your application the following:

• Letter of interest specifically addressing the qualifications listed in this announcement.
• Current resume.
• Three professional references, if not completed in the application process.

**All requested materials must be submitted. Incomplete or late application materials will not be accepted. Failure to follow application process may disqualify you from further consideration.**

*This job announcement may be used to fill other positions of the same classification if vacant in the next 60 days.

The information provided in your application must support your selected answers in the application questions. Answers will be verified and documentation may be required. Responses not supported in your application will disqualify you for consideration of employment from this recruitment.

NOTE: Prior to a new hire, a background check, including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

This position is included in the supervisory bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). For more information: https://wfse.org/. This job posting may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

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For information about the recruitment process and qualifications, please contact Wendy Vandel at Wendy.Vandel@parks.wa.gov or (360) 902-8688.

For information about this position, please contact Ken Pike at Ken.Pike@parks.wa.gov or (360) 595-3015.

All applicants with a legal right to work in the United States are encouraged to apply.

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