WA State Parks is hiring multiple Park Aides

Pasco WA

Description

Experience the beauty of Washington State and get paid to do it! Washington State 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. • Students who are looking for summer work. • Active retirees looking for work that keeps them moving and doing good in the world. Less than full-time work is a possibility in many locations. Some benefits you might not know or be thinking about: • Even short-term temporary positions receive 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. 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 Park Aides get to experience fairly regularly. • Most positions are at least moderately physical – walking, raking, bending, kneeling, lifting and moving lighter items (and heavier ones with assistance). If that is not appropriate for you, but you are still interested, read the announcement carefully to determine if there might be a position dedicated to less physical work at the park(s) you are interested in. Sacajawea State Park- (located in Franklin County) is a 284-acre inland waters, day-use park at the confluence of the Snake and Columbia rivers. It features 9,100 feet of freshwater shoreline. The area is spread out with a big sky and excellent views of the two rivers as they flow together. The park features the Sacajawea Interpretive Center, where visitors can learn about the story of the Lewis and Clark expedition through the experiences of Sacagawea, the young Shoshone Indian woman who accompanied the expedition. Lewis & Clark Trail State Park- (located in Columbia County) is a 37-acre camping park with 1,333-feet of freshwater shoreline on the Touchet River. The park is a rare treasure of old-growth forest and river in the midst of the surrounding arid grassland. Like an oasis in the middle of the desert, this lovely wooded park on the Touchet River refreshes visitors with its unusual vegetation and geology. The park is rich in history. Camp Wooten State Park- (located in Columbia County) Nestled in the valley along the Tucannon River in the Blue Mountains, sits State Park's largest retreat center, Camp Wooten. Built in the 1930's by Civilian Conservation Corps crews this camp now hosts many large groups looking for a beautiful place to get away from it all. Camp Wooten offers a dining hall with large commercial kitchen, a recreation hall, sleeping cabins, restrooms with showers, and even an indoor swimming pool. There are sleeping accommodations for up to 200 people and with park manager approval, tents and RVs may be allowed. Palouse Falls State Park- (located in Franklin/Whitman Counties ) is a 94-acre park known as an ideal picnic and birding spot. The park offers three distinct views of the state waterfall. The lower viewpoint provides a direct view; it is reached by a set of steps from the main day-use area adjacent to the parking lot. The second, at the end of a paved interpretive path, tells the story of the secluded canyon. Both the interpretive path and gravel secondary parking area lead to the third and highest viewpoint, the Fryxell Overlook, offering panoramic views of the falls and Palouse River Canyon. Some positions have low-cost shared housing options or options for a recreational vehicle (trailer, camper, etc) site for temporary Park Aides this season. (You must provide your own functioning RV). Duties- Under the supervision of the Park Ranger, 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, mowing lawns, or explaining park rules. The specific duties will have some variation by park location. Primary duties include, but are not limited to: • All positions- Maintain park facilities through light routine maintenance and janitorial services. • Perform grounds maintenance work, such as cutting grass, weeding flower beds, pruning shrubs, raking leaves, and picking up litter. • Maintain park lawns using a mower, weed eater, trimmer, and various maintenance tools. • Provide park information to visitors and answer phones. • Register campers, collect, sort and count revenue; prepare bank transmittals and deposits. • Perform daily garbage collection and litter control. • Clean restrooms and stock cleaning supplies. • Clean rental properties and perform general housekeeping duties including washing windows, scrubbing floors, mopping, and sweeping. • Drive light truck or other state vehicle to transport supplies and equipment within the park area; haul refuse and garbage. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: • Must be a minimum of 17 years old. • Possess a valid (unrestricted) driver's license. - If your DL is out of state (other than WA State), you will be required to show proof of a valid and current unrestricted driver's license at the time of the interview. DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS: • 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 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 equipment. Ability to perform general maintenance to park buildings and facilities. 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, and holidays. Ability to learn about equipment servicing, diagnosing, and maintenance. CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT: Pursuant to Emergency Proclamation 21-14, all Washington State Parks employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by the time of hire. As a condition of employment, the successful candidate will be required to provide proof of their COVID-19 Vaccination as part of the hire process for all positions within our agency. If you have questions about this requirement, please contact the recruitment team at [email protected]. Please note, a medical or religious accommodation may be requested, once an offer of employment is made. To apply, go to www.careers.wa.gov and search “Park Aide (Blue Mountain Area) ” or 00529.