Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission 

AGENCY PROFILE                                                                                                                                                                                                             

State Parks is governed by a board of seven volunteer citizens appointed by the Governor. Commission members serve staggered six-year terms, setting public policy and guiding the agency. The Washington state park system includes more than 100 developed parks, recreation programs, trails, boating safety and winter recreation.

Our Mission 
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission cares for Washington’s most treasured lands, waters and historic places. State parks connect all Washingtonians to their diverse natural and cultural heritage and provide memorable recreational and educational experiences that enhance their lives. 

Our Vision 
Washington’s state parks will be cherished destinations with natural, cultural, recreational, artistic and interpretive experiences that all Washingtonians enjoy, appreciate and proudly support.

Washington State Parks employs more than 500 permanent staff and more than 350 seasonal and temporary staff throughout the state. The headquarters office is located in Tumwater, and region offices are located in Burlington, East Wenatchee and Tumwater.

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The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is recruiting to fill a permanent Park Ranger 3 position for the South Sound Area which includes Penrose Point, Kopachuck, Joemma Beach, Cutts Island State Parks and the Haley property located in Pierce County, Washington.

For more information about Washington State parks, click here. 

If you have questions regarding this recruitment, please contact the manager listed in the “Supplemental Information” section of this publication.

This position serves as the Operations Manger for Penrose Point, Kopachuck, Joemma Beach, Cutts Island State Parks and the Haley property, implementing area strategies based on the mission and goals as defined by the Area Manager.  This position further serves as the expert level Law Enforcement Officer for the area.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Perform administrative duties as the Operations Manager for park area, implementing area strategies based on mission and goals as defined by Area Manager
  • Assess operational needs for the area; raises issues with Area Manager
  • Develop logistical plans for completion of park projects
  • Provide oversight for day to day operations of park area
  • Schedule staff – utilize data driven evidence when determining proper use of staff time and classifications
  • Emergency Management – First Responder: emergency oversight
  • Develop and manage special projects in collaboration with work groups, weed boards, wildlife departments and other outside entities

• Perform duties as the lead Law Enforcement Ranger for park area
  • Maintain expertise of rules and regulations necessary to perform Law Enforcement duties
  • Schedule appropriate Law Enforcement coverage based on demonstrable park needs
  • Provide local Law Enforcement – outreach, coordination, communication (police agencies, courts, fire department)

• Participate in maintenance functions within park area
  • Assign, schedule and complete lower level maintenance projects for park area, where journey level skills are not required
  • Ensure all safety requirements are met on job site
  • Ensure all permitting requirements are met prior to commencement of job
  • Responsible for care and upkeep of major park equipment

• Supervise staff and volunteers following all applicable Agency policies and procedures; statewide rules and regulations; and the Collective Bargaining Agreement
  • Timely complete Position Description form, as necessary
  • Ensure staff meet training requirements for position

• Leadership to area staff as defined by Area Manager
• Assist Area Manager in Representing Area

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Valid driver’s license
• 2 years professional experience in a Natural Resource field
• Successful completion of a qualifying law enforcement academy (BLEA, POST, PLEA, or SLETP)

** Experience in a Natural Resource or Recreation field will substitute year for year for education.
 
Every one year of experience as a commissioned Washington State Park Ranger can be substituted for two years of education.

NOTE: Applicants that are not currently employed as a Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission Park Ranger, will be first be screened for the required qualifications. Qualified applicants who are selected to move forward in the process  will be emailed the required Personal History Review questionnaire to complete. Please attach a copy of your qualifying law enforcement academy, and ensure you include this on the education section of the application form. You must have graduated from a qualifying law enforcement academy and must have worked as a Commissioned Law Enforcement Officer or Commissioned Park Ranger within the last 24 months. Job Suitability Determination: Successful external applicants will have a history of law abiding behavior and must pass a background investigation, drug and alcohol screening, medical/psychological/polygraph examination, and a physical ability test. Adverse background data may be grounds for immediate disqualification.

JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES:
• Ability to remain flexible to respond to park emergencies.
• Ability to use learned knowledge and understanding of the organizational and political climate to make decisions and take actions that satisfy diverse interests and contribute effectively to organizational goals.
• Ability to focus on educating and influencing park users for voluntary compliance.
• Ability to consistently enforce governmental laws, rules, and regulations.
• Ability to initiate enforcement actions in a way that the public perceives as fair, objective and reasonable.
• 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.
• Ability to make independent decisions that achieve desired results.
• Ability to collect data, make sound decisions from data gathered, and evaluate consequences.
• Have the demonstrated knowledge, skills, abilities, and attitudes required to effectively supervise and lead personnel.
• Ability to establish clear performance expectations, coach and mentor employees, provide regular feedback, and correct behavior when necessary.
• Ability to adapt to changing business needs, conditions, and work responsibilities.
• Ability to orally communicate effectively on a one-on-one basis and in small groups.
• Ability to write clearly and succinctly.

CORE COMPETENCIES:
Accountability- Accepts personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of his/her work. Can be relied upon to achieve excellent results.
Communication Effectiveness – Conveys clear, timely and persuasive messages that positively influence the thoughts and actions of others.
Customer Focus – Builds and maintains internal and external customer satisfaction with the services offered by the organization.
Ethics and Integrity- Earns the trust, respect and confidence of coworkers and customers through consistent honesty, forthrightness and professionalism in all interactions.
Inclusiveness – Actively contributes to a work environment that embraces building relationships and recognizing the value of cultural, ethnic, gender and other individual differences, to enhance the attainment of organizational goals.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT POSITIONS:
1. No criminal activity while working in the criminal justice system.
2. No possession of illegal drugs in the last ten years.
3. No crime committed as an adult, prosecutable under the statute of limitations.
4. No intentional deception in any stage of the testing process.
5. No intentional deception in the selection process of any law enforcement agency.
6. No domestic violence convictions.
7. No driving under the influence within the last five years.

FITNESS STANDARDS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT POSITIONS:
Applicants that are not currently employed as a Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission Park Ranger will be required to pass a Physical Abilities Test (PAT). For more information click here.

The minimum fitness standards identified below are the required and requisite levels for a Park Ranger:

• Sit-ups – 30
• Push-ups – 21
• 1.5 mile run/walk – 14 minutes, 31 seconds
• 300 meter – 71 seconds

To ensure consideration, please complete the online job application and profile at www.careers.wa.gov. Use reference number 10331 when searching for the job announcement. You must attach or embed in your application the following:

• Letter of Interest specifically addressing the qualifications listed in this announcement.
• Current resume.
• Three professional references.

*Abstract of your driving record (EXTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY):. This record can be obtained from any Washington Department of Licensing agency for a fee. The abstract must be dated no more than 30 days before submittal. When requesting the abstract, you will be given four versions of the abstract to choose from. The only acceptable version is the “COMPLETE RECORD” choice listed on the request for abstract of driving record form. Out of state candidates must also provide an abstract or driving record from your state. For information on how to obtain the abstract, click here Driving Record Abstract.

**All requested materials must be submitted. Incomplete or late application materials will not be accepted. Failure to follow application process may disqualify you from further consideration.**
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 will disqualify you for consideration of employment from this recruitment.

This position is covered by a union shop provision. Therefore, as a condition of employment, candidates who are appointed are required to become members of the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) and pay dues or as a non-member pay agency shop fee, non-association fee or a representation fee.  The union shop provision shall be effective no later than the 30th day following the effective date of the appointment.
For more information: http://www.dop.wa.gov/recruitment/JobSeekerServices/Pages/UnionInformation.aspx

Diversity Policy Statement
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is committed to creating an equitable, hospitable, appreciative, safe, and inclusive park environment – one that embraces the full spectrum of all community members’ contributions. The Commission makes this commitment because:

• Diversity strengthens the workforce in competence and ability;
• Celebrating diversity appreciates and values individual differences;
• Diversity serves an increasingly heterogeneous society;
• Diversity helps ensure the relevance of a state park system, its mission, properties, and programs to the people of this state today and in the future; and
• Diversity is crucial to our ability to serve all citizens.

The Commission encourages and supports staff efforts to reach out to people of all races, national origins, abilities, religions, sexual orientations, veteran status, ages, and genders who use the parks and who live in communities nearby parks. This outreach is to focus on engaging in partnerships that expand programs and services in a way that is meaningful and of value to all people. The Commission is dedicated to offering quality experiences to all visitors through a workforce and volunteer corps that reflects the diversity of Washington State.

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam veterans and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. 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 information about this position, please contact the Area Manager, Joel Pillers at Joel.Pillers@parks.wa.gov or (360) 552-2314.