Park Aide (Cascade Foothills Area) Multiple Parks

Experience the natural beauty of Washington State Parks and get paid to do it!

• 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.

• Temporary positions are eligible for 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.  

• 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.

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This recruitment will be used to fill multiple non-permanent Park Aide positions located throughout the Cascade Foothills Area; Lake Sammamish, Saint Edward and Wallace Falls State Parks. The majority of positions are available and may begin March, April, May, or June and generally are 3-5 months in duration. The number of vacancies and housing availability will vary from park to park.

Positions in this area typically are scheduled to work 40 hours a week, but we may have ability to offer less than full-time work – over the entire period of employment or for specific periods.  If you are interested in less than 40 hours a week, just let us know in the supplemental questions section of the application process. 

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)  

To read about other current and former Park Aides' experiences, click Here!

Lake Sammamish State Park - (located in King County) is a 531-acre day-use park with 6,858-feet of waterfront on Lake Sammamish. The area around the lake was an important culture zone for local Native American tribes for centuries. The park provides deciduous forest and wetland vegetation for the enjoyment of visitors. A salmon-bearing creek and a great-blue-heron rookery are additional features.

Saint Edward State Park- (located in King County) is a 316-acre day-use park with 3,000 feet of freshwater shoreline on Lake Washington. Once a Catholic seminary, the park's rich history reflects in its grounds and architecture. Walks along the undeveloped lake shore are peaceful and give the visitor many opportunities for nature study, including the chance to see bald eagles, otters, and other animals. The park also has two sites suitable for weddings and other special events.

Wallace Falls State Park- (located in Snohomish County) is a 4,735-acre camping park with shoreline on the Wallace River, Wallace Lake, Jay Lake, Shaw Lake, and the Skykomish River. Located on the west side of the Cascade Mountains, the park features a 265-foot waterfall, old-growth coniferous forests, and fast-moving rivers and streams. Opportunities to view local wildlife, include cougar near Wallace Falls, and peregrine falcons inhabit the rock cliffs of the Index Town Wall.

• 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.

• 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 QUALIFICATION:

• Possess bilingual skills (Spanish language preferred).

UNIFORM INFORMATION:
All non-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 non-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.

TRAVEL INFORMATION:
Upon request, all benefit eligible bargaining unit employees assigned to an official duty station in King County will receive a "One Regional Card for All" (ORCA) card for travel.

To ensure consideration, please complete the online job application and profile at State Parks Jobs. 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.  

For more information about these positions, please contact the Park directly. You can search for the specific Park contact information here.  

Salary : $75