Park Aide (Tahoma Gateway Area) Permanent

Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission

Job Title: Park Aide
Location:Federal Way,WA
Closes: May 11th,2026, at 5 p.m.

Position status: This is a permanent position.There is no housing available for this position.

The Park Aide position assigned to Dash Point will also work closely with Saltwater State Park. This offers a unique opportunity to work in the cultural nexus of the Puget Sound. These parks expose you to a greater variety of job assignments than many other parks provide. If you are looking for a position that offers you an opportunity to work with a group of diverse individuals as they promote marine and watershed stewardship, forest health, safe equipment operation, visitor services, interpretation opportunities, campground and vehicle maintenance, and some administrative tasks, this could be the right place for you!

These positions are not eligible to telework, as physical on-site presence is required to perform essential functions.

Under the supervision of the Park Ranger, Park Aides perform a variety of responsibilities that include routine facility cleaning and maintenance, grounds and equipment maintenance, and customer service in the parks. This position directly supports day-to-day operations for the Tahoma Gateway State Park Area.Primary duties include, but are not limited to:
Facilities Maintenance:

• Daily routine inspection and cleaning of comfort stations, CXTs, and lodge using appropriate chemical cleaners.
• Follows posted cleaning procedures to clean toilets, urinals, sinks, walls, shower stalls, floors, etc.
• Restocks paper supplies and empty garbage cans, as needed.
• Routinely inspects and cleans other park facilities including the park shop, picnic shelters, and contact station.
• Hauls garbage with park pickup; litter pickup in all areas, as needed.
• Cleans campsites and picnic sites with hand tools.

Grounds Maintenance:

• Mows and trims all lawn areas at least once per week; operates a riding mower, push mower, weed trimmers, backpack blowers, and other power tools/hand tools.
• Trims trees, shrubs and other vegetation using chainsaws, hedge trimmers, and appropriate hand tools.
• Maintains, inspects, and repairs trail system using appropriate power and hand tools.

Equipment Maintenance:

• Maintains, cleans, and inspects all vehicles, powers and hand tools that are assigned or used to complete assigned tasks.

Public Relations:

• Provides excellent public service by providing park visitors information and answering questions regarding park facilities, park rules and regulations, park passes, reservations, and local attractions and events.
• Reports violations or other problems to park rangers.
• Cross trains to work in the park contact station registering campers and selling park passes and/or merchandise.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must be a minimum of 17 years old.
• Possess a valid (unrestricted) driver's license (except corrective lenses).

DESIRED QUALIFICATION:

• First aid and CPR certification

ADDITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to work independently while using good judgement and problem-solving skills in decision making.
• Awareness and willingness to follow safety policies and protocols.
• Promotes cooperation and an eagerness and capacity to learn new skills.
• Self-starter who can see a project through to completion.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

CORE COMPETENCIES:
Facility & Sanitation Maintenance

• Understands sanitation standards, knows how to use chemical cleaners safely, and takes pride in maintaining a clean environment for the public.

Technical Equipment Proficiency

• Demonstrates the ability to operate, inspect, and perform basic maintenance on these power tools and vehicles safely.

Landscaping & Groundskeeping

• Skills in mowing, trimming vegetation, and trail repair including the knowledge on how to properly prune trees/shrubs and maintain trail systems to ensure they are safe and navigable.

Customer Service & Public Relations

• Acting as a face of the Washington State Parks, the employee must be approachable and knowledgeable. Having the ability to answer visitor questions clearly, explain park rules politely, and handle public interactions with professional "excellent service."

Accountability & Reliability

• Ability to follow a set schedule without constant reminders; A "self-starter" who ensures the paper supplies are restocked and the garbage is hauled on time, every time.

The Ability to take Action to Learn and Grow

• Considering and incorporating new information and different perspectives.
• Practicing self-awareness by reflecting on personal strengths, growth areas, and biases.
• Taking responsibility for learning and adapting, rather than relying on others to fill gaps.

The Ability to take Action to Meet the Needs of Others

• Adapting communication and approaches to different communities and individuals.
• Welcoming and valuing different identities and perspectives.
• Increasing access, opportunities, and positive outcomes for others.

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

Working Conditions:Position works five (5) days a week; Core work hours are typically 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Work schedule varies and requires weekend work. Incumbents may be expected to adjust the work scheduled to meet business needs. A flexible work schedule may be considered at incumbent's request and is subject to supervisory approval. Incumbent is expected to maintain regular and reliable attendance to accommodate facility, grounds, equipment, and customer needs. Travel and overnight travel may be required periodically between parks and/or statewide for meetings, training, and other field work. Travel will be necessary in all types of weather conditions and climates.

How to apply:
Only candidates who reflect the minimum qualifications on their NEOGOV profile will be considered. Failure to follow the application instructions below may lead to disqualification. To apply for this position, you will need to complete your profile which includes three professional references. It is highly encouraged to attach:

• A cover letterthat specifically addresses how you meet the qualifications for this position
• Current resume

To take advantage of veteran preference, please do the following:

• Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 long-form copy), NGB 22, or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
• Please black out any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers. Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.
• For more information on Veteran's Preference and instructions on how to check your eligibility, click here.

About Parks:
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. Parks is staffed with nearly 1,000 employees (summers), who are some of the most passionate employees you'll find anywhere. For more information on Washington State Parks, click here.

Note:This position is covered by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). Once the listed position(s) is(are) filled, this recruitment announcement may also be used to fill additional position(s) for up to sixty (60) days.

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.

Diversity Policy Statement: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 Jenee Kramer at Jenee.Kramer@parks.wa.gov or (360) 902-8569.

For information about this position, please contact Mitchell Rudd at Mitchell.Rudd@parks.wa.gov or (360) 899-8385.

All applicants with a legal right to workin the United States are encouraged to apply.

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