Park Ranger 1 Job Information

Park Ranger 1 Job Information

Duties

A Park Ranger 1 is responsible for preserving, enhancing, and protecting our state parks and natural resources, while ensuring the safety and welfare of park visitors. The specific duties will vary by park location, but below are the basic duties of a Park Ranger 1: 

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.

Public administration

Communicates with the public both verbally 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. Registers park visitors and assigns them to appropriate areas; collects and accounts for fees; answers questions and explains park policies and regulations.

Maintenance 

Performs maintenance and repair of park structures and facilities. Performs groundskeeping activities. Performs clean-up work and ensure standards for cleanliness and sanitation within park areas. Operates light maintenance equipment, such as power tools. Assists with road and trail maintenance. 

Administrative

Maintains records of park activities and prepares reports. Updates manuals; records traffic counter readings; completes 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.

Supervision

Supervise or serve as a lead worker for less-trained park employees, volunteers, special program workers and temporary employees. Schedules, prioritizes and evaluates work. Promotes teamwork, crew diversity and a safe and respectful working environment.

Interpretation

Prepares and gives interpretive and educational talks to the public regarding park resources and other related topics.

Enforcement

Protects park properties and issues non-traffic civil infraction notices such as Discover Pass violations, boat launch violations and overnight parking violations. May assist with investigations. Must have knowledge of WAC, RCW, policies and directives. Educates the public on park rules and directs traffic. Prepares written reports. Park Ranger 1s do not carry a firearm as part of their duties. 

Qualifications

You must meet all of the following to qualify:

• High school diploma or GED.
• United States citizen or legal to work in the U.S.
• A valid driver's license (unrestricted, other than corrective lenses).
• Must be 21 years old.
• Two (2) years of college (60 semester or 90 quarter credits), military experience, commissioned law enforcement experience, natural resource, or recreation field experience.

Job Specific Competencies: 

• Ability to take action to learn and grow.
• Ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
• Ability and willingness to effectively manage emergency situations. 
• Ability to adapt to changing business needs, conditions, and work responsibilities.
• Ability to complete forms and reports accurately and timely. 
• Ability to consistently enforce and follow governmental laws, rules, and regulations.
• Ability to focus on educating and influencing park users for voluntary compliance.
• Ability to interpret and represent agency policies, procedures, direction, and mission.
• Ability to maintain tools and keep workspaces organized.
• Ability to make independent decisions that achieve desired results. 
• Ability to verbally communicate effectively with individuals. 
• Ability to use Microsoft Office. 
• Ability to work with the public, employees and other staff in a friendly, positive and approachable manner in order to create a positive work environment. 
• Have the knowledge, skills, abilities, and attitudes required to effectively lead personnel. 
• Ability to write clearly and succinctly. 
• Knowledge of interpretive methods and techniques. 
• Skilled in using logic and proven methods when facing challenges.

Employment standards for Park Ranger 1 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 10 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.

Job suitability determination:

Successful applicants will have a history of law-abiding behavior and must pass a background investigation. Adverse background data may be grounds for immediate disqualification. Information obtained in this process will remain confidential.