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.
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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:
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Lime Kiln Point State Park - 2 Bed, 2 Bath, Full basement, 2880 sq ft Historic Lighthouse Keeper House. Shared Fenced Yard.
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Moran State Park - 1 Bed, 1 Bath, 710 sq ft Historic CCC Cabin.
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Spencer Spit State Park - 3 Bed, 2 Bath, 1560 sq ft house. Fenced yard with 1 car garage.
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.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
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High school diploma or GED.
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United States citizen or legal to work in the U.S.
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A valid driver's license (unrestricted, other than corrective lenses).
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Must be 21 years old.
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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:
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Experience performing minor construction and repair work.
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Grounds maintenance experience such as cutting grass, weeding flower beds, pruning, raking leaves, picking up litter, etc.
Supervisory experience.
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JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES:
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Ability and willingness to effectively manage emergency situations.
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Ability to adapt to changing business needs, conditions, and work responsibilities.
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Ability to complete forms and reports accurately and timely.
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Ability to consistently enforce and follow governmental laws, rules, and regulations.
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Ability to focus on educating and influencing park users for voluntary compliance.
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Ability to interpret and represent agency policies, procedures, direction, and mission.
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Ability to maintain tools and keep workspaces organized.
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Ability to make independent decisions that achieve desired results.
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Ability to verbally communicate effectively with individuals.
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Ability to use Microsoft Office.
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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.
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Have the knowledge, skills, abilities, and attitudes required to effectively lead personnel.
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Ability to write clearly and succinctly.
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Knowledge of interpretive methods and techniques.
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Skilled in using logic and proven methods when facing challenges.
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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.
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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:
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Chain-of-command structure
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Supervision of non-permanent employees/volunteers
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Role & authority
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Discover Pass enforcement
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Issuing of infractions
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Crime recognition and incident reporting
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Lawful and effective use of pepper spray
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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:
[email protected].
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:
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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.
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Cover Letter.
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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.
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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!
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Veterans - Candidates with prior military experience must submit a member 4 copy of their DD214, DD256, or NGB22.
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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:
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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.
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The information provided in your application must support your selected answers and responses to the supplemental questionnaire.
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Any deception found during the process will disqualify you.
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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.
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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.
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 [email protected].
For information or questions about the recruitment, qualifications, or waiver process please contact Nikki Williams at [email protected].
For information about the position duties for all three positions, and to ask questions and understand the conditions and nature of living in the San Juan Islands, please contact Dylan McElhaney at [email protected] or (360) 622-6679.
All applicants with a legal right to work in the United States are encouraged to apply.
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