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Park Ranger 2 In-Training (Statewide)

State of Washington
Full-time
On-site
Multiple Locations Statewide, Washington, United States
$51,840 - $78,912 USD yearly

Description


Job Title: Park Ranger 2 In-Training
Location: Statewide
Priority Deadline: While this position is posted to run through August 30, 2025, applicant review will begin on August 22, 2025, and the agency reserves the right to close the posting and make a hire(s) at any time after application review begins on August 22nd.  ** We strongly recommend applying by August 22, 2025, at 11:55 pm. Applications received after August 22, 2025, may not be considered. **

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This recruitment will be used to fill multiple full-time permanent Park Ranger 2 in-training positions

Here's an opportunity for you to apply for what many consider to be a "dream job" - working as a Park Ranger for Washington's beautiful state parks. As a Park Ranger, you get to work outdoors, share your passion for the outdoors with the public, and protect the public and the state's natural resources. There are so many opportunities for learning, growth, and advancement options. While law enforcement is not the only work you'll be performing, these positions at the Park Ranger 2 level are fully commissioned and armed. If this sounds like your ideal job, we would love for you to apply!

**Note** Candidates who have not attended a law enforcement academy will be required to attend the 18-week Basic Law Enforcement Academy (BLEA). Parks and Recreation will sponsor your attendance and cover the academy fees. Candidates who have completed a law enforcement academy (NOT BLEA), are subject to a general equivalency certification (you will be asked to provide a syllabus of the academy completed) and will also be required to attend a two-week BLEA Equivalency Course. Candidates whose law enforcement equivalency cannot be certified would be required to attend the full 18-week BLEA academy.


These positions are not eligible to telework, as physical in-office presence is required to perform essential functions.

Duties

Park Ranger 2's are responsible for protecting, preserving, and enhancing our state parks and natural resources, while ensuring the safety and welfare of park visitors. They communicate with the public, including providing public information; they identify, improve and protect wetlands, archeological sites and other sensitive or endangered sites; they prepare and present interpretive and educational talks to the public regarding parks resources and related topics; and they complete law enforcement activity. The specific duties will have some variation by park location.

This recruitment will be used to fill current and future full-time, permanent, Park Ranger 2 vacancies across Washington State. Park placement is based on many things, including candidate preference and agency need. The specific Park locations available will be discussed with candidates at a point after the conditional offer of employment has been made. Here is a list of current park vacancies, which will change as positions are filled and new positions are approved to fill:

East Side of the State
 West side of the StateFor more information on Washington State Parks and Recreation, including location information for all Washington State Parks, click here.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • High school diploma or GED.
  • United States citizen or lawful permanent resident.
  • A valid driver's license (unrestricted, other than corrective lenses).
  • Must be 21 years of age by date of hire (approx. 6 months from submitting application).
  • Two (2) years of college (Military experience, Commissioned law enforcement experience, Natural Resource, or Recreation field experience will substitute year for year for education).
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Bachelor's degree.
  • Previous work experience in a State or National Park.
  • College coursework in Natural Resources or Recreation.
  • Bilingual – English/Spanish
  • Knowledge of, experience and awareness of Native American tribal culture, perspective, history, language, traditional arts, or cultural practices.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT POSITIONS (Validated through psychological, polygraph examinations, and fitness testing):

1. No criminal activity while working in the criminal justice system.
2. No marijuana consumption within the past 12 months from the date of application received.
3. No possession or use of illegal drugs in the last ten years or no more than 3 lifetime uses of illegal drugs (see substance use section for more information).
4. No crime committed as an adult, prosecutable under the statute of limitations.
5. No intentional deception in any stage of the testing process.
6. No intentional deception in the selection process of any law enforcement agency.
7. No domestic violence convictions.
8. No driving under the influence within the last five years.
9. Must meet the minimum fitness standards for law enforcement positions. Physical Ability Test (PAT) Information.
10. Possess sufficient physical stamina and dexterity to work arduous manual tasks over extended periods.
11. Willing to work Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, and long and/or irregular hours and during inclement weather conditions.
12. Refrain from excessive alcohol consumption.
13. Must not have a substantial amount of driving violations that indicate a disregard for rules or laws.

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. 
(4) No marijuana consumption within the past 12 months (from the date of application received).

If your past substance use is outside of our current drug policy, you may request a waiver 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. Waivers must be attached to your application and received with your application package. For questions regarding waivers or submission, please send all correspondence to Nikki Williams at Nikki.Williams@parks.wa.gov. 

REQUIRED TRAINING:

1. In-Training Plan

Agency sponsored candidates must attend a 720-hour, 4–5-month Basic Law Enforcement Academy (BLEA) at the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center in Burien, Spokane, or a satellite site. Candidates who have already attended an approved equivalent law enforcement academy (not BLEA) will be required to attend a two-week BLEA Equivalency Course. While attending BLEA, the candidate will be paid as a Park Ranger 1. Washington State Parks will cover the cost of tuition, meals, and lodging while the candidate is at the Academy.

2. Internal Mandatory Law Enforcement Training

All Park Rangers will be required to attend and successfully pass this training, which will include a curriculum of defensive tactics certifications, firearms qualifications, radio communications, legal updates, and other duties and responsibilities specific to the role of a Park Ranger 2, such as:

  • Chain-of-command structure
  • Supervision, employees/volunteers
  • Role and authority
  • Discover Pass enforcement
  • Issuing of infractions
  • Crime recognition and incident reporting
  • Tactical communications
  • Must possess or obtain a valid First Aid and CPR certification (provided by Agency).

A commissioning ceremony will conclude the training session.

3. Ranger Training Program (RTP)

The RTP is a standardized training program to ensure that all Rangers attain the training required of their position, both formal and on the job training. The Ranger will have to demonstrate specific awareness, knowledge, skills, and ability in a wide range of areas and duties that reflect the varied job duties of the Ranger job class. These duties include, but are not limited to, supervision, performing interpretive tasks, grounds and facility maintenance, resources, stewardship, administrative duties, customer service, and public administration. The RTP contains a law enforcement component described in more detail below.

4. Field Training Program (FTP)

The FTP is a required component of the RTP designed to facilitate the Rangers transition from academic learning to actual law enforcement duties in the field. During the FTP, the Ranger will ride with multiple Field Training Officers over the course of 14-20 weeks, until it has been determined that the Ranger can perform law enforcement independently.

Park Rangers will initially be hired at the Park Ranger 1 classification, as a training step. Incumbents will remain at the Ranger 1 level for a minimum of 12 months. Incumbents must successfully complete all of the above training requirements to advance to the Park Ranger 2 classification within 18 months of the initial date of hire. All Park Ranger 2's will serve a minimum 6-month trial service period** after completion of the In-Training Plan.

The salary range of the Park Ranger 1 job class is $4,320.00 - $5,812.00 monthly. The salary range of the Park Ranger 2 job class is $4,882.00 - $6,576.00 monthly. Most newly hired Park Rangers will start in the Park Ranger 1 job class salary range. After successful completion of the In-Training plan, candidates will advance to the Park Ranger 2 job class salary range.


HOW TO APPLY:
To ensure consideration you must complete the online job application at careers.wa.gov. This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

To be considered, your application package must include ALL of the following:

  1. 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.
  2. Letter of Interest.
  3. FIVE (5) names of professional references including phone numbers and email addresses. 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.
  4. Complete Supplemental Questionnaire - The answers to your supplemental questions will be initially reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure you meet our Park Ranger law enforcement standards. Throughout the process, your answers will continue to be reviewed along with your law enforcement tests results to verify your answers. Responses 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 and remember absolute honesty is essential!
  5. Veterans - Candidates with prior military experience must submit a member 4 copy of their DD214, DD256, or NGB22.
  6. 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
  7. Certificate from a Law Enforcement Academy or syllabus from the Law Enforcement Academy completed (if applicable).

The information provided in your application must support your selected answers in the application questions. Answers will be verified and documentation may be required. Responses not supported in your application may disqualify you for consideration of employment from this recruitment.

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.

Supplemental Information

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.

Note: 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, polygraph, psychological examination, 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 support@neogov.com.

For information or questions about the recruitment, qualifications, or waiver process please contact Nikki Williams at Nikki.Williams@parks.wa.gov or (360) 902-8678.

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.

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