Description

Temporary Washington State Senior 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 or Senior Park Aides.
• Students who are looking for summer work.
• Active retirees looking for work that keeps them moving and doing good in the world.

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.

Senior 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 Senior Park Aides get to experience fairly regularly.
• Positions are at least moderately physical – walking, raking, bending, kneeling, lifting and moving lighter items (and heavier ones with assistance).

The following park may have low-cost housing options for temporary Senior Park Aides this season: Lime Kiln State Park, Moran State Park, and Spencer Spit State Park.

The following parks may have low-cost options for a recreational vehicle (trailer, camper, etc) site for temporary Senior Park Aides this season (must provide own functioning RV) : Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park. Contact the Park directly for more information on housing availability.

Duties

Under the supervision of the Park Ranger, Senior 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, performing grounds maintenance and minor repairs on roads, trails, and campgrounds. The specific duties will have some variation by park location.

Primary duties include, but are not limited to:

• Lead Park Aides
• Perform grounds maintenance and cleaning of all park facilities, including picnic sites, trails, and roads.
• Assist with interpretive programs, walks, and talks.
• Register campers, collect, sort, and count revenue; prepare bank transmittals and deposits.
• Provide park information to visitors and answer phones.
• Maintain park facilities through light routine and semi-skilled maintenance and janitorial services.
• Perform maintenance and light repairs on all park trails, picnic areas and campsites.
• Perform grounds keeping maintenance using power and hand tools to clear brush and trees, prune shrubs, rake leaves, weed and flower bed maintenance.
• Maintain park lawns using a mower, weed eater, trimmers, and various maintenance tools.
• Perform daily garbage collection and litter control.
• Clean restrooms and stock cleaning supplies.
• Some coastal or island positions may operate and navigate boats up to 20' in a marine environment.

Current Non-Permanent Openings:

• Columbia Plateau Trail State Park located in Eastern Region, Adams County, Washington.
• Dry Falls Visitor Center located in Eastern Region, Grant County, Washington. (This position is for the Visitor Center and will perform tasks related to maintenance of facilities, displays, interpretive signs, bulletins, kiosks, and developing interpretive programming.)
• Fort Townsend State Park located in Southwest Region, Jefferson County, Washington.
• Lime Kiln State Park located in Northwest Region, San Juan County Washington.
• Moran State Park located in Northwest Region, San Juan County, Washington.
• Spencer Spit State Park located in Northwest Region, San Juan County, Washington.
• Sucia Island State Park located in Northwest Regional, San Juan County, Washington.
• Sun Lakes State Park located in Eastern Region, Grant County, Washington. (This position is for the Welcome Station and will perform specific administrative tasks to include but not limited to: Processing registrations, using, training others, and troubleshooting the Camis Reservation System, maintaining accurate records, and sending notifications to customers who need to register and pay fees.)
• Wanapum State Park located in Eastern Region, Kittitas County, Washington.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Twelve (12) months of experience in building maintenance or grounds keeping, or performing semi-skilled/general carpentry, electrical and/or plumbing repair work.

OR

• Six (6) months cumulative experience as a Park Aide (or equivalent), or twelve (12) months experience in a special employment program (Washington Conservation Corps) with a parks agency. A combination of experience (WCC and Park Aide) may be used provided candidate has at least three months experience as a Park Aide (or equivalent).

AND

• A valid unrestricted (except for corrective lenses) driver's license.
• Must be at least 18 years old.

• 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 lead and instruct others and follow direction.
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 and large equipment.
Ability to make minor repairs to park buildings and facilities, such as minor electrical, plumbing, and roofing.
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, evenings and holidays.
Ability to learn about equipment servicing, diagnosing, and maintenance for all types of equipment, large and small.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT
All Washington State Parks and Recreation employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Any offer of employment is contingent upon verification of your vaccine status. Please note - a medical or religious accommodation may be available once an offer of employment is made. If you have questions about this requirement, please contact the recruitment team at HR.Recruitment@parks.wa.gov.

UNIFORM INFORMATION:
All non-permanent Senior Park Aides are required to wear a uniform. A complete and properly worn uniform helps establish the professional identity of a Senior Park Aide and promotes respect as a Washington State Parks employee. All non-permanent Senior Park Aides will receive 2 shirts, 1 baseball cap, and a clothing stipend of $75.00 per calendar year. Some position 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.

You must attach in your application the following:

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

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: https://wfse.org/.

Diversity Policy Statement

• 
  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 all people of this state today and in the future.
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion strengthens our ability and commitment to serve all citizens.

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating and sustaining a working environment that includes, welcomes, and respects diverse identities of race, culture, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, and more. 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 invited to apply.

Persons desiring any accommodations 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 hearing impaired may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.

For more information about these positions, please contact the Park directly. You can search for the specific Park contact information here by clicking on 'Find a Park'.