Description

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, 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!

This recruitment is for candidates who are currently attending, or have already successfully completed a qualifying law enforcement academy BLEA, POST, PRLEA, or SLETP preferably within the past 24 months.

NOTE: We are no longer requiring candidates to submit a driving abstract with their initial application. They will be required at the point of conditional hire.

Duties

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• 
  Successful completion OR currently attending a qualifying basic law enforcement academy (BLEA or POST) AND two (2) years of college (Military experience, Commissioned law enforcement experience, Natural Resource, or Recreation field experience will substitute year for year for education). **

OR

• Successful completion OR currently attending a qualifying Park Ranger Law Enforcement Academy (PRLEA, or SLETP).**

AND

• 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).

**Candidates must have graduated from a qualifying law enforcement academy (or currently be attending one) or must have worked as a commissioned (and armed) law enforcement officer or WA State commissioned Park Ranger within the last 24 months from date of hire. If you have previously worked in a fully commissioned (and armed) law enforcement capacity in Washington State but haven't done so within the past 24 – 60 months, you can still apply. Applications will be reviewed by subject matter experts to determine qualifications. Successful candidates may be required to complete additional equivalency training.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT: All Washington State Parks employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by the time of hire. If you have questions about this requirement, please contact the recruitment team at HR.Recruitment@parks.wa.gov.

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 any 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 submit a waiver to the policy 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 and or submission please send all correspondence to: Molly.Doherty@Parks.wa.gov.

REQUIRED TRAINING:

1. In-Training Plan

Agency sponsored, 720-hour, 4–5-month Basic Law Enforcement Academy (BLEA) at the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center in Burien or Spokane, WA or the Park Ranger Law Enforcement Academy (PRLEA) at Skagit Valley College in Mount Vernon, WA. While attending BLEA or PRLEA, 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

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 the 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 $3,558 - $4,656 monthly. The salary range of the Park Ranger 2 job class is $4,013 - $5,268 monthly. Most newly hired Park Rangers will start at Step A (depending on qualifications) 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.

Supplemental Information

• 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.
• Letter of Interest.
• 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.
• 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!
• Training program certificate from your approved Law Enforcement Academy (BLEA, POST, PLEA, or SLETP). If currently enrolled, please provide a letter which includes the class dates and status.
• Veterans - Candidates with prior military experience must submit a member 4 copy of their DD214, DD256, or NGB22.
• 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

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.

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

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