Hundreds of positions available across Washington
OLYMPIA – Feb. 10, 2021 – Washington State Parks announces its annual recruitment for a variety of park aide and senior park aide positions across the state.
The available park aide and senior park aide positions are seasonal and non-permanent.
Each summer, State Parks employs 400 park aides and 45 senior park aides to work the busy season, which runs from April through September. Park aides register campers, maintain trails, clean campgrounds and comfort stations and perform a variety of custodial maintenance chores. They also may work in park offices, interact with visitors and help with interpretive and educational programs.
Senior park aides are designated as lead workers and lead other park aides.
Park aides are essential to summer operations in Washington state parks. Many who served as park aides report they received benefits well beyond a paycheck, learning about parks and the natural and cultural resources in State Parks’ care. Park aides gain people skills by interacting with the public and working as part of a team. They also may learn everything from trail-building techniques to the use and operation of small power tools and equipment.
Non-permanent and seasonal positions
Most of the currently available park aide positions are non-permanent, meaning the position is allotted for a certain amount of time, typically five to six months and less than one year. State Parks also has many seasonal and non-permanent senior park aide positions available. Seasonal park aides and senior park aides come back each year for the same time period, for example March 1 to Oct. 31. With seasonal positions, the employee has the opportunity to gain permanent status.
Application process
Applications are open now through August. Park aides earn between $14.42 - $18.48 an hour, and senior park aides earn between $17.24 - $20.32 an hour, depending on qualifications and experience. More information and online applications are at www.careers.wa.gov. Enter “park aide” or the name of a specific state park in the website’s search function.
Work for Washington State Parks
More information about the job of a Washington State Parks park aide, as told by current and former staff, is available in this video.
Equal Opportunity Employer
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-era veterans and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may contact the Human Resources Office at (360) 902-8565, Human Resources office or the Washington Telecommunication Relay Service at (800) 833-6388.
News media contacts:
Amy Zurfluh, Human Resources, (360) 902-8569
Toni Droscher, Communications Office, (360) 902-8604
media@parks.wa.gov
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About Washington State Parks
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission manages more than 100 state parks and properties totaling approximately 120,000 acres. The Commission provides a variety of recreation opportunities for citizens and provides stewardship protection for a diverse array of natural, cultural and historic resources. State Parks’ statewide programs include long-distance trails, boating safety and winter recreation.
News release number: 21-008