Park Aide (Senior Park Aide) Statewide

Full Job Description

Temporary Washington State Senior 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 or Senior Park Aides.
• Students who are looking for summer work.
• Active retirees looking for work that keeps them moving and doing good in the world.

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.

Senior 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 Senior Park Aides get to experience fairly regularly.
• Positions are at least moderately physical – walking, raking, bending, kneeling, lifting and moving lighter items (and heavier ones with assistance).

There may be low-cost housing options and recreation vehicle (trailer, camper, etc.) site for temporary Senior Park Aides this season (must provide own functioning RV for site).

Housing and RV space are available on a first come-first serve basis. Please contact recruitment directly for more information. Contact information is located at the bottom of this job posting.

Please note that Marine Parks may have additional duties to include boating operations. These include Jarrell Cove State Park, Lime Kiln Point State Park, Spencer Spit State Park, Sucia Island Marine State Park, and Moran State Park. Refer to the duties section for more information.

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

Requirements

Under the supervision of the Park Ranger, Senior 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, performing grounds maintenance and minor repairs on roads, trails, and campgrounds. The specific duties will have some variation by park location.

Primary duties for all positions include, but are not limited to:

• Lead Park Aides
• Perform grounds maintenance and cleaning of all park facilities, including picnic sites, trails, and roads.
• Assist with interpretive programs, walks, and talks.
• Register campers, collect, sort, and count revenue; prepare bank transmittals and deposits.
• Provides park information to visitors and answer phones.
• Maintains park facilities through light routine and semi-skilled maintenance and janitorial services.
• Performs maintenance and light repairs on all park trails, picnic areas and campsites.
• Performs grounds keeping maintenance using power and hand tools to clear brush and trees, prune shrubs, rake leaves, weed and flower bed maintenance.
• Maintains park lawns using a mower, weed eater, trimmers, and various maintenance tools.
• Drive light trucks or other state vehicles to transport supplies and equipment within the park area; hauls garbage and litter control.
• Cleans restrooms and stock cleaning supplies.

Primary duties for Marine Park positions include, but are not limited to:

• Performs marine vessel operation up to 21 foot in length and safely navigates waterways utilizing GPS and tide charts as well as docking and anchoring vessels.
• Maintains marine environment facilities to include docks, moorage buoys, and Compost Toilet waste systems.
• Provides water/boater safety, marine animal, and marine vegetation safety information to visitors and answer phones.

Current Non-Permanent Openings:

• Columbia Plateau Trail State Park located in Eastern Region, Adams County, Washington.
• Fort Townsend Historical State Park located in Southwest Region, Jefferson County, Washington.
• Jarrell Cove State Park located in Northwest Region, Mason County, Washington.
• Lake Easton State Park located in Eastern Region, Kittitas County, Washington.
• Lime Kiln Point State Park located in Northwest Region, San Juan County Washington.
• Lincoln Rock State Park located in Eastern Region, Douglas County, Washington.
• Moran State Park located in Northwest Region, San Juan County, Washington.
• Pearrygin Lake State Park located in Eastern Region, Okanogan County, Washington.
• Spencer Spit State Park located in Northwest Region, San Juan County, Washington.
• Sucia Island Marine State Park located in Northwest Regional, San Juan County, Washington.
• Wanapum State Park located in Eastern Region, Grant County, Washington.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Twelve (12) months of experience in building maintenance or grounds keeping, or performing semi-skilled/general carpentry, electrical and/or plumbing repair work.
• For Sun Lakes Welcome Station Senior Park Aide ONLY: Twelve (12) months of experience as a front-line customer service representative that includes resolving customer inquiries/complaints and educating customers/co-workers on service-related issues.

OR

Six (6) months cumulative experience as a Park Aide (or equivalent), or twelve (12) months experience in a special employment program (Washington Conservation Corps) with a parks agency.

A combination of experience (WCC and Park Aide) may be used provided candidate has at least three months experience as a Park Aide (or equivalent).

AND

• A valid unrestricted (except for corrective lenses) driver's license.
• Must be at least 18 years old.

DESIRED QUALIFICATION:

• Possess bilingual skills (Spanish language preferred).
• For Marine Park positions ONLY: Vessel operations.
• For Marine Park positions ONLY: Completion of Washington State Boaters Safety Course.

JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES:
Ability to learn and interpret park rules, area information, and local history and educate park visitors.
Ability to lead and instruct others and follow direction.
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 and large equipment.
Ability to make minor repairs to park buildings and facilities, such as minor electrical, plumbing, and roofing.
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, evenings and holidays.
Ability to learn about equipment servicing, diagnosing, and maintenance for all types of equipment, large and small.

UNIFORM INFORMATION:
All non-permanent Senior Park Aides are required to wear a uniform. A complete and properly worn uniform helps establish the professional identity of a Senior Park Aide and promotes respect as a Washington State Parks employee. All non-permanent Senior Park Aides will receive 2 shirts, 1 baseball cap, and a clothing stipend of $75.00 per calendar year. Some position 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

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.

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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