Description

Job Title: Parks Interpretive Specialist 1
Location: Ginkgo Petrified Forest Interpretive Center - Central Cascades Park Area
Closes: February 20th, 2023, at 5 p.m. PST
The Central Cascades Area is home to an incredibly diverse array of natural and cultural resources. Our collaborative staff is looking for an enthusiastic individual who can assist in our mission of conserving these precious resources while educating visitors and community members about the variety of opportunities and experiences our parks have for everyone to enjoy.

Duties

This position assists the lead interpretive specialist by providing professional level interpretation services, curator activities, and operational management of the Ginkgo Petrified Forest Interpretive Center and interpretive services provided in the Central Cascades Park Area which includes Lake Easton, Palouse to Cascades, Olmstead Place, Yakima Sportsman, Ginkgo Petrified Forest, Wanapum Recreation Area, and Fort Simcoe.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Assist the supervisor with the day-to-day operation and management of the Ginkgo Petrified Forest Interpretive Center and Olmstead Place Interpretive Center.
• Collect fees and other revenue generated through sales at the interpretive center and maintain fiscal records and operational reports.
• Supervise Park Aide in staffing interpretive center and in grounds and maintenance work inside and outside the facility.
• Educate Park visitors on rules and regulations that govern activities within the park.
• Market interpretive services and special events within the Park Area and assist with scheduling of services.
• Assist in the development and delivery of formal interpretive program presentations that include a variety of venues and programming for park visitors, schools, and tour groups such as: guided walks, talks, presentations, living history programs, and Junior Ranger programs.
• Provide technical interpretive expertise for internal and external exhibits as well as interpretive media publications, brochures, panels, signage, and other educational materials.
• Assist in curator activities by ensuring protection of collections and identification, preservation and cataloging of historic artifacts, geologic specimens, interpretive collections, relevant records, and library resources for use in interpretative programming and exhibits.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree involving major study in interpretation of Pacific Northwest history, American history, Anthropology, Geology, Forestry, Archeology, Ecology, or a closely related field.
• A valid unrestricted (except for corrective lenses) driver's license.

**Experience in historic preservation or in historic or natural science research or interpretation may be substituted year for year for education.**

Supplemental Information

HOW TO APPLY
To ensure consideration, please complete the online job application and profile at www.careers.wa.gov. 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, if not completed in the application process.

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/.

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.

• 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.

If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or support@neogov.com .

For information about this position, please contact Kevin Lieske at Kevin.Lieske@parks.wa.gov or (509) 859-3016.