Summary

This Park Ranger 1 role involves working in Washington State Parks to maintain and protect natural areas, assist visitors with activities like camping and hiking, and help preserve the environment.

It's a mix of permanent full-time and seasonal positions across various parks, ideal for people who love the outdoors, enjoy interacting with the public, and have some experience in nature-based work or customer service.

A good fit would be someone energetic, responsible, and comfortable in remote or seasonal settings.

Key Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent
Valid Washington State driver's license
Ability to perform physical tasks in outdoor environments, including lifting and hiking
Customer service skills for interacting with park visitors
Knowledge of natural resource preservation and park maintenance
Willingness to work in seasonal or permanent roles at multiple locations
Pass a background check and meet agency hiring standards

Full Job Description

Job Title: Park Ranger 1

Location: Multiple locations, Washington State
Compensation: $51,840 - $69,744 annually
Closes: February 25, 2026, at 11:59pm PST

___________________________

Come join Washington State Parks as a PARK RANGER 1 where you're responsible for preserving and enhancing our state parks and natural resources.

This recruitment will be used to fill multiple permanent and career seasonal (return every year) Park Ranger 1 positions located throughout Washington State.

We anticipate filling the following positions:

Beebe Bridge State Park - This is a full time, permanent position located in Orondo, WA. Housing is available for this position at a subsidized cost but may not be immediately available.

Beebe Bridge State Park - (Douglas County) is the newest WA State Park.

Near Chelan, Beebe is a scenic 56-acre riverfront getaway offering swimming, boating, pickleball, roomy campgrounds and plenty of activities.

Lewis & Clark State Park - This is a 6-month career seasonal position, with a typical season of April 16 to October 15 annually, starting April 16, 2026. Located in Winlock, WA.

Housing is not available for this position. Lewis & Clark State Park - (Lewis County) is a 616-acre camping park set in a stand of old-growth forest.

Dense old growth forest hiking trails, picnic shelters, and camping are available. Horseback riders can enjoy wooded trails and trailer parking at this charming, woodsy park.

Rainbow Falls State Park - This is an 8-month career seasonal position, with a typical season of April 1 to November 30 annually, starting April 1, 2026. Located in Chehalis, WA.

Housing is available for this position at a subsidized cost. Rainbow Falls State Park - (Lewis County) is a 129-acre camping park on the Chehalis River.

A variety of campsites along a tranquil river setting make this a popular overnight stay for hikers, cyclists and horseback riders tackling the Willapa Hills Trail.

Tolmie State Park - This is a 6-month career seasonal position, with a typical season of April 1 to September 30 annually, starting April 1, 2026. Located in Olympia, WA.

Housing is not available for this position. Tolmie State Park - (Thurston County) is a great destination for beach exploration, swimming, hiking, clamming and crabbing.

Popular with scuba divers, Tolmie features an underwater park with an artificial reef.

A saltwater marsh, abundant wildlife and birdwatching opportunities make Tolmie a popular day use destination just outside of Olympia.

Twanoh State Park - This is a 6-month career seasonal position, with a typical season of April 16 to October 15 annually, starting April 16, 2026. Located in Union, WA.

Housing is not available for this position. Twanoh State Park - (Mason County) is a picturesque camping and day-use park situated along the south shore of Hood Canal near Union.

Built in the familiar “rustic” style by the Civilian Conservation Corps and featuring more than 3,000 feet of shoreline on some of the warmest saltwater in Puget Sound, this 188-acre park offers swimming, boating and the chance to explore fascinating marine and forest environments.

As a Park Ranger 1, you will have the ability to work outdoors in a beautiful and scenic environment, while being part of a team that supports one of the most diverse state park systems in the nation.

If you are a hard worker that enjoys serving the public, then Washington State Parks may be the place for you.

We believe that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, so we encourage candidates from all identities and backgrounds to apply!

For more information on Washington State Parks, click here.

Requirements

The Park Ranger 1 independently performs a variety of duties defined by the Program Manager and Area Manager.

This position provides day-to-day customer service, supports rule compliance, inspects trails for needed work, designs and conducts interpretive programs, and provides routine maintenance services that support the operation of the park area.

Further, this position protects, preserves, and enhances the park and natural resources, while ensuring the safety and welfare of the park visitors to the park area.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

Performs duties of rule and regulation compliance for the park area
- Educates park visitors on rules and regulations that govern activities within the park area, including Discover Pass enforcement.
Provides routine maintenance and stewardship functions within the park area
- Supervises and completes lower-level maintenance projects for park area, where journey level skills are not required.
- Completes, assigns, and schedules routine grounds and facilities maintenance and upkeep duties.
- Ensures priorities are adhered to and identified standards for cleanliness and sanitation are met for routine ground and facilities maintenance and upkeep.
- Inspects lower-level maintenance projects within the park area for compliance with identified standards.
- Cleans restrooms and other park facilities.
Provides registration and customer service functions
- Directs public contact providing general information, rules & regulations, services, emergency information and assistance, and area specific information.
Performs administrative duties
- Accurately and timely completes new employee hiring paperwork.
- Completes park's Cash Receipt Transmittals (CRTs).
Supervises lower-level staff
- Supervises and provides oversight and instruction to staff, work groups, and volunteers.
- Follows all Agency policies and procedures, statewide rules and regulations and the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

High school diploma or GED.
United States citizen or legal to work in the U.S.
A valid driver's license (unrestricted, other than corrective lenses).
Must be 21 years old.
Two (2) years of college (60 semester or 90 quarter credits), military experience, commissioned law enforcement experience, natural resource, or recreation field experience.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience performing minor construction and repair work.
Grounds maintenance experience such as cutting grass, weeding flower beds, pruning, raking leaves, picking up litter, etc.
Supervisory experience.

JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES:

Ability and willingness to effectively manage emergency situations.
Ability to adapt to changing business needs, conditions, and work responsibilities.
Ability to complete forms and reports accurately and timely.
Ability to consistently enforce and follow governmental laws, rules, and regulations.
Ability to focus on educating and influencing park users for voluntary compliance.
Ability to interpret and represent agency policies, procedures, direction, and mission.
Ability to maintain tools and keep workspaces organized.
Ability to make independent decisions that achieve desired results.
Ability to verbally communicate effectively with individuals.
Ability to use Microsoft Office.
Ability to work with the public, employees and other staff in a friendly, positive and approachable manner in order to create a positive work environment.
Have the knowledge, skills, abilities, and attitudes required to effectively lead personnel.
Ability to write clearly and succinctly.
Knowledge of interpretive methods and techniques.
Skilled in using logic and proven methods when facing challenges.
Ability to learn and grow, adapts to change and applies new approaches, learns to navigate systems, processes, tools, and technology, and increases and develops knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Takes action to meet the needs of others, collaborates with others to overcome challenges and find solutions, increases access, opportunities, and positive outcomes for others, and helps and supports people and communities from all backgrounds.

Note: This position requires the legal ability to operate a motor vehicle in the state of Washington. Applicants must possess a valid, unrestricted driver’s license at the time of appointment and maintain it as a condition of employment.

WORK CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:

Possess sufficient physical stamina and dexterity to work arduous manual tasks over extended periods.
Willing to work weekends, holidays and long and/or irregular hours.
Willing to work in inclement weather conditions.
Must not have a driving record that indicates a disregard for rules and regulations. Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, hit and run, reckless driving, or an accumulation of driving violations will be evaluated.

TRAINING:

Park Ranger 1's will be required to attend and successfully pass a mandatory one-week training, which will include some in-person attendance requirements.

This training will include a curriculum of defensive tactics certifications, basic first aid and adult/infant CPR (w/AED), radio communications, legal update, and other duties and responsibilities specific to the role of a Park Ranger 1, such as:

Chain-of-command structure
Supervision of non-permanent employees/volunteers
Role & authority
Discover Pass enforcement
Issuing of infractions
Crime recognition and incident reporting
Lawful and effective use of pepper spray
Tactical communications

Job Suitability Determination:

Successful applicants will have a history of law-abiding behavior and must pass a background investigation. Adverse background data may be grounds for immediate disqualification. Information obtained in this process will remain confidential.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT POSITIONS:

No criminal activity while working in the criminal justice system.
No use of illegal drugs in the last three years.
No possession of illegal drugs in the last ten years.
No crime committed as an adult, prosecutable under the statute of limitations.
No intentional deception in any stage of the testing process.
No intentional deception in the selection process of any law enforcement agency.
No domestic violence convictions.
No driving under the influence within the last five years.

SUBSTANCE USE INFORMATION:

The Washington State Parks & Recreation Commission (WSPRC) drug standards for Park Rangers are: (1) No possession or use of non-prescribed stimulant, Opium, Cocaine, Codeine, Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, Methadone, Methamphetamine, Amphetamine, Depressants, Hallucinogenic substances, etc., as defined in RCW 69.50.201-214, within the last 10 years or no more than 3 lifetime uses of any combination (excluding marijuana/hashish).

"Possession" is defined as illegal control, touching, holding, selling, or trafficking of any illegal, non-prescribed drugs.

(2) Zero tolerance for the selling or manufacturing of any drugs, as defined in RCW 69.50.201-214, including the illegal selling or manufacturing of marijuana.

(3) Zero tolerance for the illegal possession or use of any non-prescribed drugs (as defined in RCW 69.50.201-214), while employed or having been employed in a commissioned capacity by a law enforcement agency, including a military position with law enforcement powers.

If your past substance use is outside of our current drug policy, you may request a waiver to the policy by writing a letter to the screening committee that includes full details of the past substance use and provides justification of why you should be granted an exception to our policy.

You can also include any evidence or letters of recommendation to be reviewed along with your letter.

All waiver requests must be attached to your application and received with your application package.

For questions regarding waivers and or submission please send all correspondence to: Nikki.Williams@parks.wa.gov.

SPECIAL NOTES:

Applicants will be required to successfully complete a background investigation which may include, but is not limited to: driving record, fingerprints, and criminal and employment history.

Applicants will be required to sign releases of information and shall not have access to any investigative materials and files.

Background investigations are part of the pre-employment selection process and are not a commitment to employment.

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

Additional Information

HOW TO APPLY:

To be considered, your application package must include ALL of the following:

Complete online application that includes all past work history (including current and previous supervisors' names and phone numbers) and education, going back at least ten (10) years.
Cover Letter.

Three (3) names of professional references including phone numbers and email addresses. These must be listed in the reference section of your application.

We will be contacting your current/previous supervisors. You do NOT need to attach letters of recommendation; we will be contacting them.

A professional reference is defined as an individual who has been paid to supervise your work and can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job competencies.

Complete Supplemental Questionnaire - The answers to your supplemental questions will be initially reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure you meet our Park Ranger standards.

Responses throughout the process not supported in your application will disqualify you for consideration of employment from this recruitment.

If you are currently a WSPRC employee, it could also affect your current or future employment with the agency.

Bottom line - take your time answering these questions, ensure completeness, and remember absolute honesty is essential!

Veterans - Candidates with prior military experience must submit a member 4 copy of their DD214, DD256, or NGB22.

Transcripts - Candidates with college education/credits must attach unofficial copies of all college and university transcripts that show the degree received and credits completed.

International transcripts must include a foreign transcript evaluation. For a list of approved credential evaluation services visit: http://naces.org/members

PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION:

We recommend that you carefully review your entire application before submitting it, including looking at our required qualifications and standards for law enforcement.

Some past actions could immediately disqualify you. Be honest when applying – it's better to disclose all information up front than have it discovered halfway through the hiring process.

The information provided in your application must support your selected answers and responses to the supplemental questionnaire.

Any deception found during the process will disqualify you.

The initial screening will be solely based on the contents and completeness of all the contents in your application package, including the completeness of answers in the supplemental questions.

A resume will NOT substitute for completing the Work or Education section of your application. Ensure each section is fully completed.

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. For more information on Washington State Parks, click here.

Note: This position is covered by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). Once the listed position(s) is (are) filled, this recruitment announcement may also be used to fill additional position(s) for up to sixty (60) days.

Applicants will be required to successfully complete a background investigation which may include, but is not limited to: driving record, fingerprints, and criminal and employment history. Applicants will be required to sign releases of information and shall not have access to any investigative materials and files. Background investigations are part of the pre-employment selection process and are not a commitment to 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.

If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or support@neogov.com.

For information or questions about the recruitment, qualifications, or waiver process please contact Nikki Williams at Nikki.Williams@parks.wa.gov.

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

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✓ Fresh Listing

Park Ranger 1 (Permanent and Career Seasonal) Multiple Parks

Job Description

Summary

Key Requirements

Full Job Description

Requirements

Qualifications

Additional Information

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