Posting number: 2026-06894
Department: Parks and Recreation Commission
Job classification: PARK RANGER 1
Posting type: Open & Promotional
Categories: Parks and Beaches, Recreation, Law Enforcement, Parks and Recreation, Natural Resources, Maintenance
Job Title: Park Ranger 1
Location: San Juan Islands
Compensation: $4,406 - $5,928 monthly
Closes: August 25, 2026, at 11:59pm PST
Position Status: These are full-time permanent positions.
Housing is available at a subsidized cost.
Join the San Juan Area team 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 three (3) full-time permanent Park Ranger 1 positions, one (1) position at Lime Kiln Point State Park, one (1) position at Moran State Park, and one (1) position at Spencer Spit State Park.
San Juan Area - The San Juan archipelago north of Puget Sound is like no other place on earth. The cluster of 400 islands and rocks in the Salish Sea is a world unto itself. Within this watery haven, 17 Washington State Parks welcome locals and visitors to moor, dock, hike, kayak, camp, sightsee and just be on their beautiful shores. Access to the San Juan Islands is only accessible by Washington State Ferries, commercial water taxi or private boat. Work-related travel between parks is by Ferry or Park boat. Training will be provided, but interested candidates will need to be comfortable in boat/vessel operation on the water and working over water, as travel between multiple islands will be a daily requirement of each of the available positions. A high level of coordination and planning is required due to the logistical nature and travel between park locations and work sites.
Housing is available for each position at a subsidized cost:
As a Park Ranger 1, you will have the ability to work outdoors in a stunningly 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 this may be the position 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
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, assists area staff by working in other area parks, works with staff to maintain consistently high standards for restroom cleaning and grounds, 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:
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES:
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:
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/
HOW TO APPLY:
To be considered, your application package must include ALL of the following:
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.
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.
With its great natural beauty, Clark County, Washington, always has attracted people and settlements. Framed by the scenic Cascade Range to the east and the majestic Columbia River to the south and west, the area is a picturesque place to work, play and live.
Named for Captain William Clark of Lewis and Clark Expedition frame, our county is one of the fastest growing regions in Washington state and the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area. Today, more than 440,000 people call Clark County home.
Clark County government is one of the county's largest employers, providing a wide range of challenging positions for about 1,570 people. You can learn about current job openings, the application process, job descriptions, pay schedule and employee benefits on the Clark County Human Resources website at https://www.clark.wa.gov/human-resources.
The mission of Clark County government is to enhance the quality of life in our diverse community by providing services with integrity, openness and accountability.
