Park Aide (Cape Disappointment State Park)

Full Job Description

Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission

Job Title: Park Aide
Location: Ilwaco, WA
Closes: March 6th, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

Position Status: This is a permanent position.

The Park Aide supports day-to-day operations for the Long Beach Area State Parks. Under direct supervision of the Senior Park Aide, this position holds a variety of responsibilities that include routine cleaning and building maintenance, grounds and equipment maintenance, and customer service in the park(s).

This position is not eligible to telework, as physical on-site presence is required to perform essential functions.

Join our close-knit, community-oriented team serving the scenic Long Beach Peninsula—home to some of Washington’s most beloved state parks.

As a permanent Park Aide, you'll play a vital role in maintaining and preserving Cape Disappointment State Park—one of the most visited parks in the state—along with the historic Fort Columbia Historical State Park and the serene Leadbetter Point State Park.

This position offers a variety of both routine and unique responsibilities, including participation in our distinctive Vacation Rental program, which features five historic homes that offer guests an unforgettable (and possibly haunted) experience steeped in local history.

Cape Disappointment State Park - (Pacific County) is an 1,882-acre camping park on the Long Beach Peninsula, fronted by the Pacific Ocean and looking into the mouth of the Columbia River.

The park offers yurts, cabins and unique historic vacation homes to meet travelers' diverse lodging needs.

Named for Captain John Meares' first thwarted voyage to find the Columbia, Cape Disappointment is steeped in Northwest history. This is the place to explore U.S.

military and maritime legacies and to experience the story of Lewis & Clark and the effect of their Corps of Discovery Expedition on Native American tribes.

Fort Columbia State Park - (Pacific County) is a 593-acre day-use historical park located at the Chinook Point National Historic Landmark and along 6,400-feet of freshwater shoreline on the Columbia River.

Within the park are original U.S. Army Coastal Artillery fort buildings and batteries, active from 1896 to 1947.

This area was also home to the Chinook Indian Nation and their famed Chief Comcomly and explored by Robert Gray and the Lewis and Clark expedition.

Requirements

Duties include, but are not limited to:

Facilities and Grounds Maintenance:

• Daily inspection and cleaning of comfort stations, vault toilets, vacation rentals, and other agency facilities and grounds.
• Mowing and trimming all cultivated lawn and rough areas; operating riding lawn mower, weed trimmer, power mower (push type) and tractor with flail mower; performing other grounds maintenance work such as weeding flower beds, pruning shrubs, and raking leaves.
• Providing clean environments for park users by keeping grounds free of litter, debris or illegal garbage dumps; cleaning fire pits weekly; cleaning campsites and raking tent pads.
• Performing routine maintenance and cleaning of equipment and vehicles.
• Maintaining and repairing park trails and roads; clearing brush, limbs and trees using hand and power tools; filling and leveling trails/roads using hand tools; patrolling for and removing litter from these areas.
• Haul garbage with Park pickup.
  

Seasonal Staff Guidance:

• Lead seasonal Park Aides.
• Use expertise and familiarity with park operations to efficiently direct seasonal staff and ensure their time is managed appropriately.
• Ensure Park Aide staff are following all applicable Agency policies and procedures; statewide rules and regulations; and Collective Bargaining Agreement.
• Coordinates with the Senior Park Aide on any personnel matters, and elevate concerns, as needed.

Equipment Maintenance:

• Ensures all tools and vehicles are operating properly, cleaned, and inspected before and after each use.
• Responsible for returning tools and equipment that are used to its proper place, in working order. Properly tag out any equipment not in working order and inform maintenance team.

Public Relations:

• Maintains a professional appearance and demeanor, answers basic questions regarding Park rules, regulations, passes, events, and directions.
• Recognize when violations or park problems require the attention of Rangers or maintenance staff and appropriately report them.

Other duties:
Assists Park staff with various tasks, projects, and assignments.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must be a minimum of 17 years old.
• Possess a valid, unrestricted driver's license (except corrective lenses).

DESIRED QUALIFICATION:

• First aid and CPR certification

ADDITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to work independently while using good judgement and problem-solving skills in decision making.
• 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 effectively both orally and in writing.

CORE COMPETENCIES:
Facility & Grounds Stewardship:

• You must demonstrate proficiency in "hard skills" like technical cleaning of facilities, trail repair, and maintaining grounds for high public usage.

Technical Equipment Operation:

• You are expected to operate complex machinery, including riding mowers, tractors with flail mowers, and power tools. Demonstrating a track record of safe and efficient equipment use.

Personnel Leadership & Mentorship:

• This requires the ability to direct others efficiently, manage time, and ensure compliance with agency policies.

Physical Stamina & Environmental Adaptability:

• The job involves extended physical labor—such as clearing brush and hauling garbage—often in all weather conditions.

The Ability to take Action to Learn and Grow:

• Increasing and developing knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Identifying and communicating their needs and challenges openly.
• Identifying and innovating opportunities and solutions.
• Taking responsibility for learning and adapting, rather than relying on others to fill gaps.

The Ability to take Action to Meet the Needs of Others:

• Welcoming and valuing different identities and perspectives
• Increasing access, opportunities, and positive outcomes for others.
• Asking questions to understand and meet the needs of others.
• Advocating for all people through active support and inclusion.
• Adapting communication and approaches to different communities and individuals.

JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES:
Requirements:
Uniform: All permanent Park Aides are required to wear a uniform. A complete and properly worn uniform helps establish the professional identity of a Park Aide and promotes respect as a Washington State Parks employee. All permanent Park Aides will receive 2 shirts, 1 baseball cap, and a clothing stipend of $75.00 per calendar year. Some positions may qualify for a $150 clothing stipend depending on the length of the position. Clothing stipends are intended to offset the cost of clothing worn in the workplace such as pants, boots, raingear, etc.

Working Conditions: Position works five (5) days a week, requiring evenings, weekends, and holidays. Work schedules are expected to be adjusted based on business needs. Work schedule will vary based on season dates. This position works primarily in a park or field setting including indoor and outdoor work environments. Tasks vary which require attending to customer service and maintenance needs in various weather conditions including inclement weather and work must be performed in all types of terrain. This position may be required to travel periodically between parks and/or statewide for meetings, training, and other field work, overnight. Travel will be necessary in all types of weather conditions and climates.

How to apply:
Only candidates who reflect the minimum qualifications on their NEOGOV profile will be considered. Failure to follow the application instructions below may lead to disqualification. To apply for this position, you will need to complete your profile which includes three professional references. It is highly encouraged to attach:

• A cover letter that specifically addresses how you meet the qualifications for this position
• Current resume

To take advantage of veteran preference, please do the following:

• Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 long-form copy), NGB 22, or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
• Please black out any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers. Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.
• For more information on Veteran's Preference and instructions on how to check your eligibility, click here.

Additional Information

About Parks:
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission provides policy direction for one of the largest, most diverse, and beautiful state parks systems in the country. The state park system is comprised of 124 state parks and properties covering over 138,000 acres throughout the state. The park system includes marine parks, heritage sites, historic parks, interpretive centers, retreat centers, ocean beaches and hundreds of miles of trails. The agency is also responsible for the state’s winter recreation program, boating safety and vessel pump out program and numerous contracted concession operations. The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission cares for Washington's most treasured lands, waters, and historic places. Want to join a great organization? State parks connect all Washingtonians to their diverse natural and cultural heritage and provide memorable recreational and educational experiences that enhance their lives, this is a mission like no other state agency.


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.

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is an equal opportunity employer.

We strive to build a workplace culture that is welcoming and inclusive in which all employees feel respected and empowered to bring their unique ideas to the agency.

At State Parks, we believe that embracing diverse backgrounds and experiences is essential to growing a strong workforce.

We encourage applicants underrepresented in natural resources and outdoor recreation fields to apply, including but not limited to women, Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC), individuals with disabilities, neurodivergent individuals, disabled and Vietnam era veterans, persons over 40 years of age, and individuals who identify as a part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the human resources office at (360) 902-8565. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.

For information about the recruitment process and qualifications, please contact Jenee Kramer at Jenee.Kramer@parks.wa.gov or (360) 902-8569.

For more information about this position, please contact Shane Ernst at Shane.Ernst@parks.wa.gov or 360-642-3078.

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

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