Job Description

Posting number: 2026-04947

Department: Parks and Recreation Commission

Job classification: PARK RANGER 3

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Facility Management, Recreation, Law Enforcement, Management, Parks and Recreation, Natural Resources, Maintenance, Program Management

Summary

A collage promoting Washington State Parks, featuring nature scenes, a park ranger, and activities. Text reads

Job Title: Park Ranger 3, Fully Commissioned Law Enforcement

Location: Central Lakes Area State Parks

Close/Review: Continuous. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We strongly recommend applying as soon as possible. The hiring manager reserves the right to close the posting at any time once a selection has been made.

This permanent position is full-time year-round. There is dedicated housing available for this position at a subsidized cost.

Are you ready to step beyond the field and into a position where you can lead and direct a team? This position offers an exciting opportunity to direct operations and provide others with opportunities to learn and grow within a park area that features some of the best of Washington State's unique geography. We are looking for a law enforcement professional who likes variety in their day, enjoys building relationships and mentoring others, and can create an organized and inclusive operations structure to effectively implement the area vision.

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is recruiting to fill one (1) full-time Park Ranger 3 position for The Central Lakes Area State Parks. This position will be based out of Alta Lake State Park. The Central Lakes Area includes Alta Lake, Bridgeport, Lake Chelan and Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park. In Central Lakes, you can experience high desert sunshine living in dramatic geological landscapes.

The Park Ranger 3 leads routine operations within a park or area and serves as the primary team leader for implementing the area management plan from a concept or vision into operation. As a Park Ranger 3, you will be coaching, mentoring, supervising and leading your park team while coordinating multiple long-term plans and projects important to the successful operation of the area. You will be a part of a collaborative environment where you'll be empowered to share your creative ideas and support area operations through coordination, planning and execution.

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

Alta Lake State Park and the Central Lakes Area - Alta Lake State Park is a camping and day-use park where mountainous pine forests meet the desert, offering a wide variety of family friendly activities including camping, swimming, hiking, volleyball, horseshoe pits and picnicking. The 2-mile-long lake offers trout fishing, water skiing and windsurfing during the summer months. Spring months bring a wide variety of wildflowers to enjoy as well as birdwatching. Alta Lake features a seasonal concession stand with snacks, beverages, groceries and camping items, as well as kayaks and stand-up paddle board rentals.

The Central Lakes Area parks feature dramatic landscapes created by Ice-Age floods. Freshwater lakes and rivers provide ample opportunities for visitors to launch a watercraft, paddle board, or SUP to swim, paddle, fish, water ski, windsurf or even scuba dive. The area's recreational opportunities also include playgrounds, sports courts, biking and hiking trails, and a variety of camping opportunities. The Central Lakes Area also includes one of Washington State’s most popular state parks: Lake Chelan. Generations of families continue to enjoy the 50-mile-long Lake Chelan every year, as will first-timers.

Park Housing is available for this position at a subsidized cost.

Examples of duties

Under the direct supervision of the Area Manager (Park Ranger 4), this position serves as the Operations Manager for the Central Lakes Area. This position further serves as the expert level Law Enforcement Officer for the area and supports administration, supervision, maintenance, and public service within the management area.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Perform administrative duties as an Operations Manager for the Park Area, implementing area strategies based on mission and goals as defined by Area Manager.
• Assess operational needs of park area; raise issues with Area Manager.
• Develop logistical plan for completion of park projects. Provide area manager with prioritized lists and necessary documentation.
• Provide oversight for day-to-day operations of park area.
• Develop staff schedules.
• Prepare for emergency management. Ensure that all necessary plans are in place and up to date.
• Develop and manage special projects in collaboration with work groups, weed boards, wildlife departments and other outside entities.
• Perform duties as the lead Law Enforcement Ranger for park area.
• Maintain expertise of rules and regulations necessary to perform Law Enforcement duties.
• Schedule appropriate Law Enforcement coverage based on demonstrable park needs.
• Participate in maintenance functions within the park area.
• Assign, schedule, and complete lower-level maintenance projects for park area, where journey level skills are not required.
• Ensure all safety requirements are met on job site.
• Responsible for the care and upkeep of park tools and equipment.
• Supervise staff and volunteers following all applicable Agency policies and procedures; statewide rules and regulations; and the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
• Provide oversight and instruction to staff.
• Ensure staff meet training requirements.
• Timely complete PDPs on an annual basis.
• Hold staff accountable for meeting expectations; raise issues of significance with Area Manager.
• Coordinate with Area Manager on personnel matters when necessary.
• Supervise and provide oversight for work groups and volunteers.
• Leadership to area staff as defined by Area Manager.
• Create an environment of collaborative teamwork and respect for all employees. Address concerns in a timely and effective manner.
• Proactively communicate with staff in a positive and supportive manner.
• Represent Area.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Two (2) years of experience as a fully commissioned Washington State Park Ranger.

OR

• Two (2) years of professional experience as a Park Ranger, commissioned Law Enforcement Officer, or equivalent experience in a Natural Resource field. AND
• Bachelor's Degree **Experience in a Natural Resource, Law Enforcement or Recreation field will substitute year for year for education. AND
• Having successfully completed a qualifying law enforcement academy (BLEA, POST, PLEA, or SLETP).

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Supervisory experience.
• Project planning experience.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Accountability - Accepts personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of their work. Can be relied upon to achieve excellent results.
• Communication Effectiveness - Conveys clear, timely and persuasive messages that positively influence the thoughts and actions of others.
• Customer Focus - Builds and maintains internal and external customer satisfaction with the services offered by the organization.
• Ethics and Integrity - Earns the trust, respect and confidence of coworkers and customers through consistent honesty, forthrightness and professionalism in all interactions.
• Learning and Growth - 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: Applicants that are not currently employed as a Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission Park Ranger will first be screened for the required qualifications. It is important that you attach a copy of your qualifying law enforcement academy transcript or certificate and ensure you include this in the education section of the application form. (You must have graduated from a qualifying law enforcement academy and must have worked as a Commissioned Law Enforcement Officer or Commissioned Park Ranger within the last 24 months.)

Qualified applicants who are selected to move forward in the process will be emailed the required Personal History Review questionnaire to complete and will be required to submit a complete driving abstract (dated within the last 30 days).

JOB SUITABILITY DETERMINATION: Successful external applicants will have a history of law-abiding behavior and must pass a background investigation, drug and alcohol screening, medical/psychological/polygraph examination, and a physical ability test. Adverse background data may be grounds for immediate disqualification.

JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES:

• Ability to remain flexible to respond to park emergencies.
• Ability to use learned knowledge and understanding of the organizational and political climate to make decisions and take actions that satisfy diverse interests and contribute effectively to organizational goals.
• Ability to focus on educating and influencing park users for voluntary compliance.
• Ability to consistently enforce governmental laws, rules, and regulations.
• Ability to initiate enforcement actions in a way that the public perceives as fair, objective and reasonable.
• 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.
• Ability to make independent decisions that achieve desired results.
• Ability to collect data, make sound decisions from data gathered, and evaluate consequences.
• Have the demonstrated knowledge, skills, abilities, and attitudes required to effectively supervise and lead personnel.
• Ability to establish clear performance expectations, coach and mentor employees, provide regular feedback, and correct behavior when necessary.
• Ability to adapt to changing business needs, conditions, and work responsibilities.
• Ability to orally communicate effectively on a one-on-one basis and in small groups.
• Ability to write clearly and succinctly.
• Ability to learn and grow.
• Ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT POSITIONS

(Validated through Psychological & Polygraph examination and fitness testing):

1. No criminal activity while working in the criminal justice system.
2. No marijuana consumption within the past 12 months from the date of application received.
3. No possession of illegal drugs in the last ten years.
4. No crime committed as an adult, prosecutable under the statute of limitations.
5. No intentional deception in any stage of the testing process.
6. No intentional deception in the selection process of any law enforcement agency.
7. No domestic violence convictions.
8. No driving under the influence within the last five years.
9. Must meet the minimum fitness standards for law enforcement positions. Physical Ability Test (PAT) Information.
10. Possess sufficient physical stamina and dexterity to work arduous manual tasks over extended periods.
11. Willing to work Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, long and/or irregular hours and during inclement weather conditions.
12. Refrain from excessive alcohol consumption.
13. Must not have a substantial amount of driving violations that indicate a disregard for rules or laws.

FITNESS STANDARDS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT POSITIONS: Applicants that are not currently employed as a Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission Park Ranger will be required to pass a Physical Abilities Test (PAT). For more information click here.

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 and attach:

ALL APPLICANTS MUST ATTACH THE FOLLOWING:

1. Cover Letter specifically addressing the qualifications listed in this announcement.
2. Current resume.

EXTERNAL APPLICANTS MUST ALSO ATTACH:

1. Copy of your qualifying law enforcement certificate.

** All requested materials must be submitted. Incomplete or late application materials will not be accepted. Failure to follow application process may disqualify you from further consideration. **

The information provided in your application must support your selected answers in the application questions. Answers will be verified, and documentation may be required. Responses not supported in your application will disqualify you for consideration of employment from this recruitment.

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.

Supplemental information

About Parks:

Want to join a great organization? The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission manages one of the largest, most diverse--and most beautiful—parks systems in the country. With more than 120,000 acres, the system includes 124 developed parks, including 19 marine parks, 11 historical parks, 35 heritage sites, 13 interpretive centers and approximately 500 miles of long-distance recreation trails. Parks is staffed with nearly 1,000 employees (summers), who are some of the most passionate employees you'll find anywhere. 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.

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.

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 information about the recruitment process and qualifications, please contact Nikki Williams at Nikki.Williams@parks.wa.gov or (360) 902-8678.

For information about this position, please contact Sharon Soelter at Sharon.Soelter@parks.wa.gov or (509) 923-2473.

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

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