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.
___________________________
Park housing and RV parking is not available for this area.
This recruitment will be used to fill multiple non-permanent Park Aide positions located throughout the Tahoma Gateway Area; Dash Point, Flaming Geyser, Kanaskat-Palmer, Nolte and Saltwater State Parks. Most positions are 3-5 months in duration, beginning April, May, or June. The number of vacancies 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.
Employees who have workstations located in King County receive a 5% premium pay in addition to the salary listed.
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!
Dash Point State Park - (located in King County) is situated on Puget Sound in Western Washington and is a popular destination for water recreation. This 398-acre camping park features 3,301-feet of saltwater shoreline. The beach provides unobstructed views of the Puget Sound and opportunities for sea-life study. The sandy beach at the park is a relaxing beach getaway near the cities of Seattle, Tacoma, and Federal Way.
Flaming Geyser State Park- (located in King County) is a 480-acre day-use park with more than three miles of freshwater shoreline on the Green River. The park's most unique feature is its geysers and methane seeps. The Green River is popular for rafting and other summer activities.
Kanaskat-Palmer State Park- (located in King County) is a 320-acre camping park on a small, low plateau in a natural forest setting. The park has two miles of shorelines on the Green River. Boat and raft launching is by hand only. River rafting and kayaking down the Green River Gorge is for expert-level enthusiasts only. Shoreline activities include nature appreciation, trout fishing, and picnicking.
Nolte State Park- (located in King County) is a 117-acre day-use park with 7,174-feet of freshwater shoreline on Deep Lake in the Green River Gorge. Covered with forests and blessed with water, the land was a resort for many years before it was donated to State Parks. This summer day-use park is popular for its water activities and grassy lawns on the shore of a small lake. A one-mile hiking path winds around the water.
Saltwater State Park- (located in King County) is a camping park featuring 1,445 feet of saltwater shoreline on Puget Sound, halfway between the cities of Tacoma and Seattle. The two cities jointly and literally buried a hatchet at the park during the 1926 park dedication as a symbol of the end of their mutual competition. The park is a recreational destination nestled in the core of urban living, with forested trails and beach access.
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 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.
-
Perform grounds maintenance work, such as cutting grass, weeding flower beds, pruning shrubs, raking leaves, and picking up litter.
-
Maintain park lawns using a mower, weed eater, trimmer, and various maintenance tools.
-
Provide park information to visitors and answer phones.
-
Register campers, collect, sort and count revenue.
-
Perform daily garbage collection and litter control.
-
Clean restrooms and stock cleaning supplies.
-
Clean rental properties and perform general housekeeping duties including washing windows, scrubbing floors, mopping, and sweeping.
-
Drive light trucks or other state vehicles to transport supplies and equipment within the park area; haul garbage.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
-
Must be a minimum of 17 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:-
Possess bilingual skills (Spanish language preferred).
JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES:
Ability to take action to learn and grow.
Ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
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.
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 [email protected] 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.
