Park Ranger 2 Information

Duties

Park ranger 2s are responsible for protecting, preserving and enhancing our state parks and natural resources, while ensuring the safety and welfare of park visitors. The specific duties will have some variation by park location, but below are basic duties of a park ranger 2: Law enforcement: Once commissioned, protects park properties and exercises limited commissioned police power. Must have knowledge of WAC, RCW, policies and directives. Conducts investigations, educates the public on park rules, issues citations, performs surveillance, conducts crowd control, directs traffic, makes arrests/physical arrests and forwards charges to prosecutor. Prepares written reports. All non-permanent park rangers will be required to carry a firearm as part of their duties.

Public administration: Communicates with the public both orally and in writing, including providing public information, giving presentations to groups of various sizes, answering questions and giving directions. Informs the local community of park changes.

Maintenance: Performs grounds and facilities maintenance. Operates, evaluates and repairs complex equipment and utility systems, complex irrigation systems, domestic water systems, complex sewage systems, simple sewage systems and buildings. Tests and treats domestic water for the protection of the public. Maintains roads and trails. Schedules, operates and repairs heavy and light equipment.

Administrative: Updates manuals; records traffic counter readings; completes law enforcement reports, vehicle and equipment usage reports, attendance reports, incident reports, cash receipt transmittals, purchasing requisitions, employee timesheets and other reports as assigned or needed; and performs expenditure reconciliations.

Resource stewardship: Recognizes, understands, values, manages and protects natural resources. Identifies, improves and protects wetlands, archaeological sites and other sensitive or endangered sites. Enforces rules and laws to prevent unauthorized access or damage to park property.

Supervision: Schedules, prioritizes and evaluates the work of several seasonal staff and special program workers (community service workers, volunteers, etc.). Establishes work expectations and standards, monitors results, coaches, trains, mentors and evaluates performance. Performs corrective action as necessary. Promotes teamwork, crew diversity and a safe and respectful working environment.

Interpretation: Prepares and gives interpretive and educational talks to the public regarding park

Qualifications

  • Two years of college; AND
  • Successful completion of a qualifying law enforcement academy (BLEA, POST, PLEA, or SLETP), OR currently enrolled; AND
  • High school diploma or GED; AND
  • A valid driver's license; AND
  • Must be 21 years of age by date of hire.

*Military experience or in a natural resource or recreation field will substitute year for year for education.

**Must have graduated from a qualifying law enforcement academy or must have worked as a commissioned law enforcement officer within the last 24 months from date of hire.

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.

Law enforcement training

Park ranger 2 will be required to attend and successfully pass a mandatory one-week law enforcement training. This training will include a curriculum of defensive tactics certifications, firearms qualifications, radio communications, legal update and other duties and responsibilities specific to the role of a park ranger 2, such as:

  • Chain-of-command structure
  • Supervision of non-permanent employees/volunteers
  • Role and authority
  • Discover Pass enforcement
  • Issuing of infractions
  • Crime recognition and incident reporting
  • Tactical communications

Job suitability determination

Successful applicants will have a history of law-abiding behavior and must pass a background investigation, drug and alcohol screening, medical and psychological examination, and a physical ability test. Adverse background data may be grounds for immediate disqualification. Information obtained in this process will remain confidential.