What are the responsibilities and job description for the Parks Interpretive Assistant (Sacajawea State Park) position at State of Washington Parks and Recreation...?
Description
Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
Job Title: Parks Interpretive Assistant
Location: Pasco, WA
Closes: March 13th, 2025, at 5 p.m. PST. Work schedule is five (5) eight hour shifts a week, Wednesday - Sunday, including holidays. Work hours are typically 9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
This recruitment is for one (1), full-time, non-permanent position. The expected duration of this 6-month, non-permanent appointment is April 1, 2025, through September 30, 2025.
Benefits eligibility for this position may be different than what’s listed in the benefits tab of this recruitment announcement, for more information on employee benefits eligibility visit - Public Employee Benefits Board (PEBB)
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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.
The ideal candidate will have the ability to engage visitors with the rich cultural and natural history of Sacajawea Historical State Park. They will be comfortable presenting dynamic interpretive programs to large and small audiences in the interpretive center and outdoor settings. If you have a love for history, nature and people, this is the right position for you! This position staffs the interpretive center in addition to leading nature walks, guided paddles, and educational programs on a variety of subject.
Duties
Under the direction of parks management, this position supports the mission by supporting interpretive program of Sacajawea State Park and Interpretive Center and the Blue Mountain Area Parks. This position will enable staffing consistency and program delivery at the Sacajawea Interpretive Center.
Duties include but are not limited to:
- Act as interpretive resource for the visitor center. Greet tourists, students and other organized groups.
- Participates in revenue generating activities and collection of user fees through the Interpretive Center bookstore.
- Presents and assists with interpretive program delivery and campfire programs, community outreach events, and school field trips.
- Responds to questions and correspondence from visitors.
- Assists with routine maintenance of site interpretive facilities and resources, trails, exhibits such as cleaning exhibit cases, floor care, window washing, garbage checks.
- Performs grounds maintenance work such as blowing off sidewalks, weeding outdoors exhibits, and assisting with restroom cleaning.
- Assists with administrative tasks including maintenance of bookstore inventory and interpretive program attendance records for interpretive statistics tracking.
- Attends staff meetings and safety meetings.
- Educates Park visitors on rules and regulations that govern activities within the parks, to include Discover Pass requirements.
Qualifications
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Two (2) years of college training involving major study in Pacific Northwest history, American history, anthropology, geology, forestry, archaeology, ecology, or related field.**
- 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.
DESIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- Bilingual in English/Spanish.
- 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 clearly, effectively, and concisely, both written and oral.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
The successful candidate for this position will work indoors and outdoors and must be able to lead easy to intermediate nature walks up to 1-mile.
UNIFORM INFORMATION:
All Parks Interpretive Assistants are required to wear a uniform. A complete and properly worn uniform helps establish the professional identity of an Interpretive Assistant and promotes respect as a Washington State Parks employee. All Parks Interpretive Assistants will receive the same standard uniform that is issued to the Park Ranger series, to include: shirts, pants, shorts, headwear, sweater, belt, necktie, jacket and badge.
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.
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.
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/.
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.
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.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 this position, please contact Mary Jane Keffer at Mary.Keffer@parks.wa.gov or (509) 520-4013.
For information about the recruitment process and qualifications, please contact Jenee Kramer at Jenee.Kramer@parks.wa.gov or (360) 902-8569.
