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Posted: January 12, 2026 (3 days ago)

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Park Aide (Hope Island) Marine Park

State of Washington

Parks and Recreation Commission

Fresh

Location

Washington, 98504

Salary

$18.33 - $23.67

per hour

Closes

June 16, 2026More State jobs →

Job Description

Summary

This temporary Park Aide position at Hope Island Marine State Park involves maintaining park facilities, performing physical outdoor tasks like cleaning and light maintenance, and helping visitors enjoy the natural surroundings in a beautiful marine setting.

It's ideal for nature lovers, students seeking summer jobs, active retirees, or anyone starting a career in parks who doesn't mind weekend and evening shifts or hands-on work.

The role offers low-cost on-site housing and a chance to build practical skills while being outdoors.

Key Requirements

  • Ability to perform moderate physical tasks including walking, raking, bending, kneeling, lifting, and moving items
  • Availability for weekend and evening shifts, with flexibility during busy spring and summer periods
  • Comfort with routine cleaning duties, such as bathroom maintenance
  • Reliable transportation to access the mainland for groceries and essentials
  • Interest in outdoor work and contributing to park preservation
  • Openness to temporary employment lasting 3-5 months, starting in March-June
  • Preference for seasonal housing use, though negotiable

Full Job Description


Experience the natural beauty of Washington State Parks and get paid to do it!


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.

    The following park has a low-cost housing option for temporary Park Aides this season and a parking spot located at Carylon Marina: Housing is solar and propane powered with a full kitchen, living space, and bedroom; sink and shower in bathroom with an outhouse style toilet. Seasonal use of housing is preferred but negotiable. Groceries and other essential items are available on the mainland - you must have reliable transportation.

    Contact the Park directly for more information here.

    ___________________________

    This recruitment will be used to fill one (1) non-permanent Park Aide position located at Hope Island Marine State Park in the South Sound Area.

    This position may begin March, April, May, June and generally is 3-5 months in duration. The number of vacancies and housing availability 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.


    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!

    Hope Island Marine State Park - (located in Mason County) is a 106-acre marine park situated in the South Puget Sound just north of Carlyon Beach nestled between Squaxin Island and the mouth of Hammersley Inlet.

    It has 8 primitive campsites and a group site available only on a first come first serve basis for campers arriving by water.

    The island also supports 3 mooring buoys around the perimeter and 1.5 miles of trail through beautiful old growth forest.

    Hope Island was also the site of a former homestead, which still boasts an orchard over 100 years old. No fires and no pets are allowed at any time.

    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 Park Aide at Hope Island may also assist staff with projects at other parks in the Jarrell Cove management area. 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.
    • Maintains marine environment facilities to include docks and moorage buoys.
    • Performs marine vessel operations (up to 21 feet in length) and safely navigates waterways, utilizing GPS and tide charts, as well as docking and mooring vessels (training will be provided).
    • Provides water/boater safety, marine animal, and marine vegetation safety information to visitors and answers phones.
    • Perform grounds maintenance work, such as cutting grass, weeding flower beds, pruning shrubs, raking leaves, picking up litter, and clearing trails.
    • Operates riding lawn mower with trailer.
    • Register campers, collect, sort and count revenue.
    • Perform daily garbage collection and litter control.
    • Clean restrooms and stock cleaning supplies.
    • Reports issues to Ranger staff.

    Qualifications

    REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
    (Due to the remote nature of this position, applicants must be at least 18 years old)
    • Must be a minimum of 18 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 QUALIFICATIONS:
    • Marine vessel operation experience.
    • Boater's Education Card.

    JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES:
    Ability to work independently and take initiative to complete projects.
    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.

    Job Alerts to receive a list of new job postings at Parks.

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Posted on NEOGOV: 1/12/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 1/13/2026

Source: NEOGOV | ID: neogov-washington-5194108