Full Time Park Ranger Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $52,872.00 - $80,496.00 Annually
Location : Multiple Locations Statewide, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Job Number: 2026-05401
Department: Parks and Recreation Commission
Opening Date: 07/01/2026
Closing Date: 7/14/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step
Description
Job Title: Park Ranger 2 In-Training
Location: Statewide
Deadline: This posting is scheduled to close on July 14, 2026, but the hiring manager reserves the right to close the posting at any time if there is a large applicant response. It is in the applicant's best interest to apply as soon as possible.
This recruitment will be used to fill multiple full-time permanent Park Ranger 2 in-training positions. When applying for these positions, you are entering your name into a candidate pool to fill vacancies in all statewide locations.
Here's an opportunity for you to apply for what many consider to be a "dream job" - working as a Park Ranger for Washington's beautiful state parks. As a Park Ranger, you get to work outdoors, share your passion for the outdoors with the public, and protect the public and the state's natural resources. There are so many opportunities for learning, growth, and advancement options. While law enforcement is not the only work you'll be performing, these positions at the Park Ranger 2 level are fully commissioned and armed. If this sounds like your ideal job, we would love for you to apply!
**Note** Candidates who have not attended a law enforcement academy will be required to attend the 18-week Basic Law Enforcement Academy (BLEA). Parks and Recreation will sponsor your attendance and cover the academy fees. Candidates who have completed a law enforcement academy (NOT BLEA), are subject to a general equivalency certification (you will be asked to provide a syllabus of the academy completed) and will also be required to attend a two-week BLEA Equivalency Course. Candidates whose law enforcement equivalency cannot be certified would be required to attend the full 18-week BLEA academy.
These positions are not eligible to telework, as physical in-office presence is required to perform essential functions.
Duties
Park Ranger 2's are responsible for protecting, preserving, and enhancing our state parks and natural resources, while ensuring the safety and welfare of park visitors. They communicate with the public, including providing public information; they identify, improve and protect wetlands, archeological sites and other sensitive or endangered sites; they prepare and present interpretive and educational talks to the public regarding parks resources and related topics; and they complete law enforcement activity. The specific duties will have some variation by park location.
This recruitment will be used to fill current and future full-time, permanent Park Ranger 2 vacancies across Washington State. Park placement is based on many things, including candidate preference and agency need. The specific Park locations available will be discussed with candidates at a point after the conditional offer of employment has been made. What follows is a list of current park vacancies as of July 1, 2026, which will change significantly during the candidate recruitment process as positions are filled and new positions are approved to fill:
East Side of the State

• - located in Chelan, WA. Housing available.
• - located in Washtucna, WA. Housing available.
• - located in Othello, WA. Housing available.
• - located in Nine Mile Falls, WA. Housing available.

West side of the State
North:

• - located in Belfair, WA. Housing available.
• - located in Camano, WA. Housing is not available.
• - located in Brinnon, WA. Housing available.
• - located in Port Townsend, WA. Housing available.

South:

• - located in Battle Ground, WA. Housing is not available.
• - located in Grayland, WA. Housing available.
• - located in Silver Creek, WA. Housing available.
• - located in Hoquiam, WA. Housing is not available.
• - located in Seabeck, WA. Housing available.

For more information on Washington State Parks and Recreation, including location information for all Washington State Parks, click
Note: Applicants who are selected to move past the first application review will be invited to attend an optional virtual Park Ranger Q&A on August 11, 2026, from 6pm to 7:30pm PST to learn more about these positions and ask questions of Parks staff.
Qualifications
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or GED.
• United States citizen or lawful permanent resident.
• A valid driver's license (unrestricted, other than corrective lenses).
• Must be 21 years of age by date of hire (approx. 6 months from submitting application).
• Two (2) years of college, Military experience, Commissioned Law Enforcement experience, Natural Resource, or Recreation field experience.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree.
• Previous work experience in a State or National Park.
• College coursework in Natural Resources or Recreation.
• Bilingual - English/Spanish
• Knowledge of, experience and awareness of Native American tribal culture, perspective, history, language, traditional arts, or cultural practices.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Accountability - Accepts personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of their work. Can be relied upon to achieve excellent results.
• Communication Effectiveness - Conveys clear, timely and persuasive messages that positively influence the thoughts and actions of others.
• Customer Focus - Builds and maintains internal and external customer satisfaction with the services offered by the organization.
• Ethics and Integrity - Earns the trust, respect and confidence of coworkers and customers through consistent honesty, forthrightness and professionalism in all interactions.
• Learning and Growth - Adapts to change and applies new approaches, learns to navigate systems, processes, tools, and technology, and increases and develops knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Takes Action to Meet the Needs of Others - Collaborates with others to overcome challenges and find solutions, increases access, opportunities, and positive outcomes for others, and helps and supports people and communities from all backgrounds.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT POSITIONS (Validated through psychological, polygraph examinations, and fitness testing):
1. No criminal activity while working in the criminal justice system.
2. No marijuana consumption within the past 12 months from the date of application received.
3. No possession or use of illegal drugs in the last ten years or no more than 3 lifetime uses of illegal drugs (see substance use section for more information).
4. No crime committed as an adult, prosecutable under the statute of limitations.
5. No intentional deception in any stage of the testing process.
6. No intentional deception in the selection process of any law enforcement agency.
7. No domestic violence convictions.
8. No driving under the influence within the last five years.
9. Must meet the minimum fitness standards for law enforcement positions.
10. Possess sufficient physical stamina and dexterity to work arduous manual tasks over extended periods.
11. Willing to work Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, and long and/or irregular hours and during inclement weather conditions.
12. Refrain from excessive alcohol consumption.
13. Must not have a substantial amount of driving violations that indicate a disregard for rules or laws.
SUBSTANCE USE INFORMATION:
The Washington State Parks & Recreation Commission (WSPRC) drug standards for Park Rangers are:
(1) No possession or use of non-prescribed stimulant, Opium, Cocaine, Codeine, Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, Methadone, Methamphetamine, Amphetamine, Depressants, Hallucinogenic substances, etc., as defined in RCW 69.50.201-214, within the last 10 years or no more than 3 lifetime uses of any combination (excluding marijuana/hashish). "Possession" is defined as illegal control, touching, holding, selling, or trafficking of any illegal, non-prescribed drugs.
(2) Zero tolerance for the selling or manufacturing of any drugs, as defined in RCW 69.50.201-214, including the illegal selling or manufacturing of marijuana.
(3) Zero tolerance for the illegal possession or use of any non-prescribed drugs (as defined in RCW 69.50.201-214), while employed or having been employed in a commissioned capacity by a law enforcement agency, including a military position with law enforcement powers.
(4) No marijuana consumption within the past 12 months (from the date of application received).
If your past substance use is outside of our current drug policy, you may request a waiver by writing a letter to the screening committee that includes 1.) full details of the past substance use including dates of use (approximate month/year) and 2.) provides justification of why you should be granted an exception to our policy. You can also include any evidence or letters of recommendation to be reviewed along with your letter. Waivers must be attached to your application and received with your application package. For questions regarding waivers or submission, please send all correspondence to Nikki Williams at Nikki.Williams@parks.wa.gov.
REQUIRED TRAINING:
1.In-Training Plan
Agency sponsored candidates must attend a 720-hour, 4-5-month Basic Law Enforcement Academy (BLEA) at the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center in Burien, Spokane, or a satellite site. Candidates who have already attended an approved equivalent law enforcement academy (not BLEA) will be required to attend a two-week BLEA Equivalency Course. While attending BLEA, the candidate will be paid as a Park Ranger 1. Washington State Parks will cover the cost of tuition, meals, and lodging while the candidate is at the Academy.
2. Internal Mandatory Law Enforcement Training
All Park Rangers will be required to attend and successfully pass this training, which will include a curriculum of defensive tactics certifications, firearms qualifications, radio communications, legal updates, and other duties and responsibilities specific to the role of a Park Ranger 2, such as:

• Chain-of-command structure
• Supervision, employees/volunteers
• Role and authority
• Discover Pass enforcement
• Issuing of infractions
• Crime recognition and incident reporting
• Tactical communications
• Must possess or obtain a valid First Aid and CPR certification (provided by Agency).

A commissioning ceremony will conclude the training session.
3. Field Training Program (FTP)
The FTP is a required component of the in-training to facilitate the Ranger's transition from academic learning to actual law enforcement duties in the field. During the FTP, the Ranger will ride with multiple Field Training Officers over the course of 14-20 weeks, until it has been determined that the Ranger can perform law enforcement independently.
Park Rangers will initially be hired at the Park Ranger 1 classification and will remain at that level until they have successfully passed the Field Training Program. Upon successful completion of Field Training Program, they will promote to the Park Ranger 2 classification where they will serve a minimum 6-month review period to complete the in-training plan and gain permanent status.
Ranger Training Program (RTP)
In addition to the requirements of the in-training, Park Ranger 2's will go through the Ranger Training Program (RTP). The RTP is a standardized training program to ensure that all Rangers attain the training required of their position, both formal and on the job training. The Ranger will have to demonstrate specific awareness, knowledge, skills, and ability in a wide range of areas and duties that reflect the varied job duties of the Ranger job class. These duties include, but are not limited to, supervision, performing interpretive tasks, grounds and facility maintenance, resources, stewardship, administrative duties, customer service, and public administration.
The salary range of the Park Ranger 1 job class is $4,406.00 - $5,928.00 monthly. The salary range of the Park Ranger 2 job class is $4,980.00 - $6,708.00 monthly. Most newly hired Park Rangers will start in the Park Ranger 1 job class salary range. After successful completion of the In-Training plan, candidates will advance to the Park Ranger 2 job class salary range.
HOW TO APPLY:
To ensure consideration you must complete the online job application at careers.wa.gov. This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.
To be considered, your application package must include ALL of the following:

1. Complete online application that includes all past work history (including current and previous supervisors' names and phone numbers) and education, going back at least ten (10) years.
2. Letter of Interest.
3. Three (3) to five (5) names of professional references including phone numbers and email addresses. A minimum of three is required, five is advised. We will be contacting your current/previous supervisors. You do NOT need to attach letters of recommendation; we will be contacting them. A professional reference is defined as an individual who has been paid to supervise or observe your work and can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job competencies.
4. Complete Supplemental Questionnaire - The answers to your supplemental questions will be initially reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure you meet our Park Ranger law enforcement standards. Throughout the process, your ans