Backcountry Ranger Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $37.97 - $48.13 Hourly
Location : Parks Renton Shop - 3005 NE 4th St, Renton, WA
Job Type: Career Service (Exec)
Job Number: 2026-27218
Department: DNRP-Natural Resources & Parks
Division: Parks
Opening Date: 05/29/2026
Closing Date: 6/14/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: Z3 : KC Personnel Guidelines
Full- or Part-Time: Full Time
Hours/Week: 40 hours/week
Summary
In addition to the current opening, this recruitment may be used to establish a pool of qualified candidates to fill future Career Service Park Ranger vacancies within the Parks Division over the next six months.
Protect, Educate, and Inspire in the Great Outdoors!
King County Parks is looking for passionate, community-focused Park Rangers to help create a welcoming, positive and safe environment across our parks, trails, and open spaces! King County Parks will be hiring one (1) Career Service position. If you thrive on engaging with people, educating the community, and fostering camaraderie in shared spaces, and working outside in all types of weather the Park Ranger position offers an ideal opportunity for you.
About the Role:
King County Parks is looking for dedicated and community-minded Park Rangers to serve as environmental stewards and goodwill ambassadors in our parks, trails, and open spaces. As a Park Ranger, you will play a mission-critical role in ensuring a positive and inclusive experience for all visitors by providing on-site customer service, safety assistance, and public education.
This role requires regular visits by vehicle, bicycle, and foot across both urban and backcountry parks and trails in all seasons. You will engage directly with the public, conduct community outreach, document and report incidents using GIS technology, address park code violations through voluntary compliance and assist park users using various resources and skills, and coordinate with emergency services when needed.
As a Park Ranger, you will be at the forefront of creating a welcoming and safe environment for all park visitors. You will navigate diverse community dynamics, problem-solve complex situations, and collaborate with various agencies to support public safety efforts. This is a mission-critical, on-site position that may also serve as a key point of contact during countywide or park emergencies, requiring availability during such events.
About the Team:
King County Parks' mission is to steward, enhance and acquire parks to inspire healthy communities, and with 205 parks, 28,000 acres of open space, 215 miles of backcountry trail, and 175 miles of regional trails, King County Parks offers close-to-home recreational experiences for everyone.
The new Park Ranger Program will be part of the Parks Operations team which is a vibrant and expanding section within the Parks division. Our various lines of business offer support positions that provide a wide range of experiences, offering valuable growth opportunities for individuals at all levels of experience.
Commitment to Equity, Racial and Social Justice:
King County, named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is a diverse and vibrant community that represents cultures from around the world. Our True North is to create a welcoming community where everyone can thrive. We prioritize equity, racial and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. As a Park Ranger, you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at
Apply now for a rewarding career at the Apply now for a rewarding career at the King County Parks Division of the King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP). Join our talented workforce in protecting and restoring the natural environment and promoting more resilient, sustainable, and equitable communities. Enjoy training, comprehensive benefits, and growth opportunities.
Job Duties
What You Will Be Doing:

• Maintain a positive and welcoming presence to park users whether on foot or bicycle and assist those through education on park rules, policies, codes, laws and provide other resources as needed and/or applicable to help support voluntary compliance of Park Rules (KCC Title 7).
• Promote safe use of our parks and an inclusive environment for all.
• Partner closely with the Ranger Supervisor and/or other Parks employees to support internal and external stakeholders and to support associated events, planned activities, and emerging issues while using various forms of communication, including radios, cell phones, or computers.
• Safely and effectively operate a motor vehicle and bicycle and navigate various terrains on a daily basis.
• Effectively document interaction on a daily basis with the public using various computer databases or systems and keeping team, supervisor, and stakeholders updated as needed.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
Qualifications You Bring:

• Park Ranger Experience: Previous Park Ranger experience or at least two (2) years of outdoor education experience or leading volunteer events in parks or environmental settings.
• Customer Service/Public Experience: Demonstrated experience in a customer service or public-facing role involving answering questions, providing guidance or information, and interacting effectively with the public.
• Conflict Resolution: Demonstrated experience resolving conflicts or addressing concerns with members of the public in a professional, calm, and effective manner; ability to find common ground during tense situations and de-escalate situations when possible.
• Technology Proficiency: Proficient in working with Microsoft Suite and other software or databases as necessary to write daily reports, develop work programs, and goal setting, emails, training among other needs.
• Documentation: Strong skills in documenting incidents, writing reports, and communicating issues to relevant authorities.
• Communication and Collaboration: Exceptional ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with a diverse community, including during stressful public encounters. Strong ability to work collaboratively with various teams and agencies, specifically under urgent or emergency circumstances.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to work in all types of weather, walking, hiking, and biking on various uneven terrains for multiple hours per day.
• Ability to ride a 2-wheel, non-electric mountain bike without accommodations over uneven terrain through a full shift in various weather conditions.
• Ability to safely drive a vehicle and potentially tow and place mobile message boards, speed limit devices, or other devices to help with safety in parks or informing the public.

Competencies You Bring:

• Customer Focus: Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.
• Manages Complexity: Making sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
• Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Manages Conflict: Handling conflict situations effectively, with a minimum of noise.
• Drives Engagement: Creating a climate where people are motivated to do their best to help the organization achieve its objectives.
• Situational Adaptability: Adapting approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations.

Required Licenses/Certifications:

• WA State Driver's License.
• CPR/AED and wilderness first aid training must be completed within the first 6 months of employment and will be county-paid.

It Would Be Great if You Also Bring:

• Fluency in multiple languages or experience in using translation tools.
• Training in de-escalation techniques.
• Experience working in a public service setting.

Supplemental Information
Working Conditions:

• Work Location: Central Maintenance Facility, 3005 NE 4th St, Renton, WA 98056.
• Work Schedule: This full-time position works a 40-hour work week. From October - April, this position will work a shift of Tuesday - Saturday, 10:00 AM - 6:30 PM. From May - September, this position will work a shift of Wednesday - Saturday from 10:00 AM - 8:30 PM. There may be some flexibility and occasional changes based on business needs, but shifts will generally remain within the swing shift period. This position is covered under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is overtime eligible.
• Union Representation: This position is not represented by a union.

Application and Selection Process:
We welcome applications from all qualified applicants. We value diversity, diverse perspectives and life experience and encourage people of all background to apply.
Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness and alignment with the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills essential for this role to determine which candidates may be invited to participate in one or more panel interviews.
To apply, submit a complete application. However, please be aware that cover letters, resumes and other documents won't be considered during minimum qualification screening.
Who to Contact: For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact Jessica Fuqua at
Discover More About the Parks Division: Visit our website and check us out at, , and
Discover More About DNRP: Visit our website, explore aninteractive mapof our recent accomplishments and check us out atFacebook, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram, YouTubeand Keeping King County Green News
Sign up for to be notified of additional career opportunities with King County. Select the Natural Resources category for DNRP opportunities and explore other categories of interest.
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Guided by our , we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.
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No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
To Apply
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.
King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what's best for themselves and their eligible dependents
• Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
• Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
• Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
• 12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays
• Generous vacation and paid sick leave
• Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves
• Flexible Spending Account
• Wellness programs
• Onsite activity centers
• Employee Giving Program
• Employee assist...