Experience the natural beauty of Washington State Parks and get paid to do it!
Temporary Washington State Park Aide jobs are perfect for:
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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!
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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.
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Students who are looking for summer work.
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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:
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Temporary positions are eligible for vacation and sick leave.
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Holiday pay might be available to you depending on when and how long you work.
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Great teammates who care about their work.
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Learning and refining a set of very practical and transferrable job skills.
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Being in nature is good for your physical and mental well-being.
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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:
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Weekend work is expected, and you might be asked to work evening shifts.
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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.
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Bathroom cleaning is a task that most Park Aides get to experience fairly regularly.
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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.
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The following parks have low-cost housing options for temporary Park Aides this season: Moran (Bunkhouse style with shared common spaces; 2 cabins with shared common spaces), Lime Kiln Point (1 Cabin, limited availability), Spencer Spit (Bunkhouse style with shared common spaces), and Sucia Island (Bunkhouse style with shared common spaces available; 2 cabins with shared common spaces; available on Orcas Island).
The following parks have low-cost options for a recreational vehicle (trailer, camper, etc.) site for temporary Park Aides this season (most require you to provide own functioning RV, vary in size accommodation and are at a higher rate than State Park's bunk housing): Moran State Park, Lime Kiln Point State Park, and Sucia Island Marine State Park.
RV/Trailer spots and housing are available on a first come-first serve basis. Please contact recruitment directly for more information. Contact information is located at the bottom of this job posting.
This recruitment will be used to fill multiple non-permanent Park Aide positions located throughout the San Juan Area; Moran and Spencer Spit State Parks. The majority of positions are available and may begin March, April, May, or June and generally are 3-5 months in duration.
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.
This position is not eligible to telework, as physical in-office presence is required to perform essential functions.
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!
Moran State Park - (located in San Juan County) is 5,252-acres and offers abundant camping (151 sites), five freshwater lakes for swimming and non-motorized boating and more than 30 miles of hiking, bicycling, mountain biking and equestrian trails. Mount Constitution stands 2,409 feet above sea level.
Lime Kiln Point State Park - (located in San Juan County) is a 41-acre day-use park that is easily accessed by car or by bike from Friday Harbor on San Juan Island and is responsible for San Juan Marine Area South. Lime Kiln services 5 smaller, remote, marine state parks, which are only serviceable by boat. The location is considered one of the best places in the world to view whales from a land-based facility. This park is considered one of the best whale-watching spots on earth. The pods, which also include humpback and minke whales, pass through the area every May through September, with peak times depending on salmon runs. Visitors can see the action from a 1919-vintage lighthouse or from a nearby sea cliff. **These are Senior Park Aide positions ONLY. For additional information and requirements please visit - Park Aide (Senior Park Aide) Statewide job announcement**
Spencer Spit State Park- (located in San Juan County) is a 138-acre marine and camping park situated on Lopez Island in the Strait of Juan de Fuca and services 2 other marine parks, which are only serviceable by boat. The park is named for the lagoon-enclosing sand spit on which it rests. The park has a reputation for excellent crabbing, clamming and car-top boating. This is one of the few state parks in the San Juan Islands that is accessible by automobile. A sand spit encloses a salt chuck lagoon.
Sucia Island Marine State Park - (located in San Juan County) is a 564-acre park based out of Moran State Park on Orcas Island. Sucia Island Marine State Park, one of the northernmost San Juan islands, is considered the crown jewel of the state's marine park system. With 77,700 feet of shoreline and many anchor spots Sucia Island is considered ranked one of the top boating destinations in the world. The main island is part of a cluster of smaller islands called the "Sucia group". The park also services 7 other marine state parks, only serviceable by boat.
**These are Senior Park Aide positions ONLY. For additional information and requirements please visit - Senior Park Aide Statewide job announcement**REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
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Must be a minimum of 17 years old.
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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:
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Vessel operations.
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Completion of Washington State Boaters Safety Course.
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Possess bilingual skills (Spanish language preferred).
JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES:
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:
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Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 long-form copy), NGB 22, or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
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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.
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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.
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