Park Ranger 3 (Riverside) Fully Commissioned Law Enforcement

Job Title: Park Ranger 3
Location: Riverside State Park
Close/Review: June 30th, 2025, at 11:55pm
Schedule: As the evening Operations Manager, core work hours are typically 2pm to 10:30pm.

Note: Washington State has approved a 3% salary increase effective July 1, 2025. Additionally, the Park Ranger 3 series will be moving from Range 56 to Range 59, resulting in an additional approximately 7.5% salary increase, effective July 1, 2025. The salary currently listed for this position will be adjusted accordingly on July 1, 2025.

This position is full-time year-round. There is dedicated housing available for this position.
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The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is recruiting to fill one (1) full-time Park Ranger 3 position for Riverside State Park. This is a rare opportunity to become one of the Inland NW Area’s three Assistant Area Managers, and the evening Operations Manager for Washington’s 2nd-largest state park - Riverside!

Riverside State Park is a 10,000+ acre park adjacent to the City of Spokane and is a sportsperson’s dream. We have the only dedicated off-road vehicle play area in our park system, along with camping, hiking, kayaking, horseback riding, and an incredibly active mountain biking community.



Park Housing is available at a subsidized cost. Housing for this position is at our recently renovated, post-modern architecture 1,600 sq ft, 3 BR residence located at our Bowl & Pitcher area, just a few steps from the iconic swinging bridge over the Spokane River. Don’t be surprised to have moose or deer in your yard, or possibly a mountain lion! The “boom town” of Spokane offers ample work, school, shopping and cultural opportunities for your family. We’re adjacent to the Selkirk Mountains in a vast forest of Ponderosa pine and experience all four seasons. We’re also centrally located to some of the best fly-fishing spots in the world, and just a day trip to Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks.

Park Ranger 3's lead routine operations within a park or park area and serve as the primary catalyst for implementing the area management plan from a concept or vision into operation. As a Park Ranger 3 you will be coaching, mentoring, supervising and leading your park team while coordinating multiple long-term plans and projects important to the successful operation of the park or area. You will be a part of a collaborative environment where you'll be empowered to share your creative ideas and support area operations through coordination, planning and execution.

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Want to join a great organization? The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission manages one of the largest, most diverse - and most beautiful - parks systems in the country. With more than 120,000 acres, the system includes 124 developed parks, including 19 marine parks, 11 historical parks, 35 heritage sites, 13 interpretive centers and approximately 500 miles of long-distance recreation trails. And the agency is staffed with nearly 1000 employees (summers), who are some of the most passionate employees you'll find anywhere. We love what we manage and what we do. For more information on Washington State Parks, click here.

Under the direct supervision of the Area Manager (Park Ranger 4), this position serves as the Operations Manager for Riverside State Park within the Inland Northwest Area. This position further serves as the expert level Law Enforcement Officer for the area and supports administration, supervision, maintenance, and public service within the management area.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Perform administrative duties as an Operations Manager for the Park Area, implementing area strategies based on mission and goals as defined by Area Manager.
  • Assess operational needs of park area; raise issues with Area Manager.
  • Develop logistical plan for completion of park projects. Provide area manager with prioritized lists and necessary documentation.
  • Provide oversight for day-to-day operations of park area.
  • Develop staff schedules.
  • Prepare for emergency management. Ensure that all necessary plans are in place and up to date.
  • 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.
    
    
• Participate in maintenance functions within the 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 the care and upkeep of park tools and equipment.
    
    
• Supervise staff and volunteers following all applicable Agency policies and procedures; statewide rules and regulations; and the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
  • Provide oversight and instruction to staff.
  • Ensure staff meet training requirements.
  • Timely complete PDPs on an annual basis.
  • Hold staff accountable for meeting expectations; raise issues of significance with Area Manager.
  • Coordinate with Area Manager on personnel matters when necessary.
  • Supervise and provide oversight for work groups and volunteers.
    
    
• Leadership to area staff as defined by Area Manager.
  • Create an environment of collaborative teamwork and respect for all employees. Address concerns in a timely and effective manner.
  • Proactively communicate with staff in a positive and supportive manner.
    
    
• Represent Area.

• Two (2) years of experience as a fully commissioned Washington State Park Ranger.

• Bachelor's Degree **Experience in a Natural Resource, Law Enforcement or Recreation field will substitute year for year for education. AND
• Two (2) years of professional experience as a Park Ranger, commissioned Law Enforcement Officer, or equivalent experience in a Natural Resource field. AND
• Having successfully completed a qualifying law enforcement academy (BLEA, POST, PLEA, or SLETP).

• Supervisory experience.
• Project planning experience.
• Completion of trail maintenance classes.

NOTE: Applicants that are not currently employed as a Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission Park Ranger, will first be screened for the required qualifications. It is important that you attach a copy of your qualifying law enforcement academy, and ensure you include this in the education section of the application form. (You must have graduated from a qualifying law enforcement academy and must have worked (2 yrs) as a Commissioned Law Enforcement Officer or Commissioned Park Ranger within the last 24 months.)

• 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.
  

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT POSITIONS
(Validated through Psychological & Polygraph examination 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 of illegal drugs in the last ten years.
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.

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.

** 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 included in the supervisory bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). For more information: https://wfse.org/

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion -
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to build a workplace culture that is welcoming and inclusive in which all employees feel respected and empowered to bring their unique ideas to the agency. At State Parks, we believe that embracing diverse backgrounds and experiences is essential to growing a strong workforce. We encourage applicants underrepresented in natural resources and outdoor recreation fields to apply, including but not limited to women, Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC), individuals with disabilities, neurodivergent individuals, disabled and Vietnam era veterans, persons over 40 years of age, and individuals who identify as a part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

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 the recruitment process and qualifications, please contact Nikki Williams at Nikki.Williams@parks.wa.gov or (360) 902-8678.