Park Aide (Northern Shores Area) Multiple Parks

Washington State Park Aide

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 Parks Aides experience daily. 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.

This recruitment will be used to fill multiple non-permanent Park Aide positions located throughout the Northern Shores Area; Pacific Beach, Ocean City, Lake Sylvia and Schafer State Parks. The majority of positions are available and may begin 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.

Pacific Beach State Park - (Grays Harbor County) is a 10-acre camping park with 2,300 feet of ocean shoreline. The beach provides a variety of wonders, from dramatic surf to beach exploration. The park's sandy ocean beach is perfect for kite flying, sand-castle building and wildlife watching. Closed seasonally to vehicles, the beach is great for long windy walks.

Ocean City State Park - (Grays Harbor County) is a year-round, 170-acre camping park, featuring ocean beach, dunes and dense thickets of shore pine. Migratory birds may be viewed at the park and beach exploration is a popular activity.

Lake Sylvia State Park - (Grays Harbor County) is a quiet, 233-acre camping park with 15,000-feet of freshwater shoreline. The park is an old logging camp in a wooded area halfway between Olympia and the Pacific shore. Aside from the interesting displays of old logging gear and curiosities, the lake is good for fishing, and the rustic charm of the park makes for excellent day outings and group camping trips.

Schafer State Park - (Mason County) is a 119-acre camping park on the Satsop River, midway between Olympia and Aberdeen. A big attraction to park users is the abundant fishing for steelhead, cutthroat trout, and salmon on the Satsop River. Wading and swimming in the shallow water make it an equally attractive site for family gatherings. Buildings are constructed from native stone. Rich in local history, the park is a state and national historic site as designated by the Washington Heritage Register and National Register of Historic Places.

Duties

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:

• 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.

Qualifications

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 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.

Supplemental Information

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:

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 View phone number on click.appcast.io. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or View phone number on click.appcast.io.

For more information about these positions, please contact recruitment at View email address on click.appcast.io or at