Park Aide (Central Cascades Area) Multiple Parks

Full Job Description

Temporary Washington State Park Aide jobs are perfect for:

• People who like to get outside and enjoy nature, do physical work, and contribute to a truly important mission - maintaining a fantastic Parks system for everyone!
• Individuals who are interested in a longer-term career with State Parks. Many permanent staff, including members of our executive team, started their careers as Park Aides.
• Students who are looking for summer work.
• Active retirees looking for work that keeps them moving and doing good in the world. Less than full-time work is a possibility in many locations.

Some benefits you might not know or be thinking about:

• Temporary positions are eligible for vacation and sick leave.
• Holiday pay might be available to you depending on when and how long you work.
• Great teammates who care about their work.
• Learning and refining a set of very practical and transferrable job skills.
• Being in nature is good for your physical and mental well-being.
• Wildlife sightings! From chipmunks and quail, to orcas and moose, and everything in between.

Park Aide jobs can be fun, fulfilling and career starters, but there are a few important things to consider:

• Weekend work is expected, and you might be asked to work evening shifts.
• Our Parks are busiest on spring and summer holidays, so we need more of our workers to be on schedule those days. Getting time off around a holiday is not guaranteed.
• Bathroom cleaning is a task that most Park Aides get to experience fairly regularly.

Most positions are at least moderately physical – walking, raking, bending, kneeling, lifting and moving lighter items (and heavier ones with assistance).

If that is not appropriate for you, but you are still interested, read the announcement carefully to determine if there might be a position dedicated to less physical work at the park(s) you are interested in.

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Park housing and RV parking are not available for this area.




This recruitment will be used to fill multiple non-permanent Park Aide positions located throughout the Central Cascades Area; Ginkgo/Wanapum, Palouse to Cascades Trail, Lake Easton, Fort Simcoe, Olmstead Place, and Yakima Sportsman State Parks.

The majority of positions are available and may begin March, April, May, or June and are typically 3-5 months in duration. The number of vacancies will vary from park to park.

Positions in this area typically are scheduled to work 40 hours a week, but we may have ability to offer less than full-time work – over the entire period of employment or for specific periods.

If you are interested in less than 40 hours a week, just let us know in the supplemental questions section of the application process.


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

Benefits eligibility for this position may be different than what’s listed in the benefits tab of this recruitment announcement, for more information on employee benefits eligibility visit- Public Employee Benefits Board (PEBB)


Park Aide Recruitment Video - Typical Day - Washington State Parks


To read about other current and former Park Aides' experiences, click Here!




Ginkgo/Wanapum State Park - (located in Kittitas County) is a 7,470-acre park with camping at Wanapum Recreational Area.

The park features 27,000-feet of freshwater shoreline on the Wanapum Reservoir along the Columbia River.

Petrified wood was discovered in the region in the early 1930s, which led to creation of the park as a national historic preserve. Ginkgo Petrified Forest is a registered national natural landmark.

It is regarded as one of the most unusual fossil forests in the world.Palouse to Cascades Trail- (located in Kittitas/King County) is a 1,612-acre park that was once part of the path of the Chicago-Milwaukee-St.

Paul-Pacific Railroad. This portion of trail is 84 miles from Hyak to the Columbia River.

The park also contains 5 old rail tunnels including the 2.3 mile Snoqualmie Tunnel.Lake Easton State Park- (located in Kittitas County) is a forested, 516-acre year-round camping park with 24,000 feet of freshwater access on the shores of Lake Easton in the Cascade Mountain foothills.

The park has beautiful mountain views and hiking trails to explore in the summer and cross country and snowmobiling trails to enjoy in the winter.

The park's location also allows for snowy winter-sport opportunities.Yakima Sportsman State Park- (located in Yakima County) is a 247-acre camping park created in 1940 by the Yakima Sportsman's Association to promote game management and the preservation of natural resources.

The park is on the floodplain of the Yakima River and is an irrigated green zone in an otherwise desert area. The park has a variety of deciduous trees that shade camping and picnic areas.


Olmstead Place Historical State Park - (located in Kittitas County) is a 221-acre day-use park on an original 1875 pioneer homestead only a few miles from Ellensburg. Highlights include homesteading, gardening and agriculture in the Kittitas Valley; Coleman Creek, ecology and local wildlife/plants; and changes in culture, family and lifestyle between 1875 and the 1960s.

Fort Simcoe State Park - (located in Yakima County) is a 196-acre, day-use heritage site and is primarily a historic preservation effort. Due to its historic significance, Fort Simcoe was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in June 1974. Camping is available at Brooks Memorial and Yakima Sportsman state parks.

Requirements

Under the supervision of the Park Ranger, Park Aides perform a variety of tasks at a State Park, beach, or historical area. A typical work day may include anything from registering campers and collecting camp fees, to cleaning facilities, mowing lawns, or explaining park rules. The specific duties will have some variation by park location.

Primary duties include, but are not limited to:
• All positions- Maintain park facilities through light routine maintenance and janitorial services.
• Perform grounds maintenance work, such as cutting grass, weeding flower beds, pruning shrubs, raking leaves, and picking up litter.
• Maintain park lawns using a mower, weed eater, trimmer, and various maintenance tools.
• Provide park information to visitors and answer phones.
• Register campers, collect, sort and count revenue; prepare bank transmittals and deposits.
• Perform daily garbage collection and litter control.
• Clean restrooms and stock cleaning supplies.
• Clean rental properties and perform general housekeeping duties including washing windows, scrubbing floors, mopping, and sweeping.
• Drive light trucks or other state vehicles to transport supplies and equipment within the park area; haul garbage.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Must be a minimum of 17 years old.Possess a valid (unrestricted) driver's license.

- If your DL is out of state (other than WA State), you will be required to show proof of a valid and current unrestricted driver's license at the time of the interview.DESIRED QUALIFICATION:Possess bilingual skills (Spanish language preferred).JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES:Ability to learn and interpret park rules, area information, and local history and educate park visitors.Ability to manage multiple projects and maintain organization, communication, and a reasonable completion time and quality.Ability to operate a variety of hand tools, power tools, and small equipment.Ability to perform general maintenance to park buildings and facilities.Ability to perform janitorial services, including the use of chemicals.Ability to perform physical labor for extended periods of time.Ability to work in all weather conditions.Ability to work Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.Ability to learn about equipment servicing, diagnosing, and maintenance.UNIFORM INFORMATION:All non-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 non-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.

Additional Information To ensure consideration, please complete the online job application and profile at State Parks Jobs.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.

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 non-supervisory bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). For more information: https://wfse.org/.

Diversity Policy Statement: 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 more information about these positions, please contact recruitment at HR.Recruitment@parks.wa.gov or at (360) 902-8569.

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

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