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.
- 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 are not available for this area.
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This recruitment will be used to fill multiple non-permanent Park Aide positions located throughout the Wenatchee Valley Area; Daroga, Lake Wenatchee, Lincoln Rock and Wenatchee Confluence State Parks. The majority of positions are available and may begin March, April, May, or June and generally are 4-8 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.
Please note: Lake Wenatchee has one (1) regular shift position from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and one (1) evening shift position from 1:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
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!
Beebe Bridge State Park - (located in Douglas County) is a 56-acre camping park near Chelan. The Park is a riverfront getaway offering swimming, boating, pickleball, roomy campgrounds and plenty of activities. Whether Beebe Bridge is your launching pad for a big adventure or you're just here to take in the views, this little Columbia River refuge is an ideal spot to relax and explore.
Daroga State Park - (located in Douglas County) is a 90-acre camping park with 1.5 miles of Columbia River shoreline on the elevated edge of the desert scablands. The park features camping activities and water-sport access in a unique and beautiful outdoor environment. Lots of sunshine combine with water activities to make this desert park a delight to visitors. Nationally recognized Desert Canyon Golf Course is just two miles away.
Lake Wenatchee State Park - (located in Chelan County) is a 489-acre camping park with 12,623 feet of waterfront on glacier-fed Lake Wenatchee and the Wenatchee River. Located 16 miles from the Bavarian theme town of Leavenworth, the park is a natural wildlife area, and visitors should be aware of the presence of bears and other natural dangers. Lake Wenatchee is a Northwest icon, a clear blue lake surrounded by mountains. Though its shallow lagoon is perfect for pint-sized swimmers, the five-mile-long lake is 244 feet deep at its greatest depth and is a popular destination for boaters and windsurfers. Beginning kayakers and standup paddlers can rent boats and boards at the lake and navigate the calmer waters near the shore.
Lincoln Rock State Park- (located in Douglas County) is an 80-acre camping park on the east side of Lake Entiat, created by Rocky Reach Dam blocking the flow of the Columbia River north of Wenatchee. The park, a popular place for swimming, water-skiing, and respite from the hot sun, was named for a basalt outcropping said to resemble the profile of Abraham Lincoln.
Wenatchee Confluence State Park- (located in Chelan County) is a 197-acre year-round camping park at the confluence of the Wenatchee and Columbia rivers. The north section of the park is recreation area, while the south section is a designated natural wetland area. The park offers easy access to downtown Wenatchee and to such attractions as the Rocky Reach Dam and fish ladder and the Bavarian theme town of Leavenworth.
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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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.
Job Alerts to receive a list of new job postings at Parks.
