Do you love nature? These state agencies have job openings helping the environment
The Evergreen State is home to 154 state parks and approximately 120,000 acres full of forests, waterfalls, wildlife, beaches and over 400 miles of hiking trails, according to the Washington State Parks Foundation.
These parks rely on seasonal and salaried employees such as rangers, wildlife technicians and planners with important roles in the “operation, maintenance, improvement and protection of Washington’s cherished state parks,” the foundation’s website says.
If you love nature or would like to be a part of preserving and protecting Washington’s parks and wildlife, here are five state jobs currently hiring:
Park Aide (South Sound Area) Multiple Parks
Salary: $16.09 - $18.48 hourly
Full time, non-permanent
Location: South Sound Washington State Parks
Department: Parks and Recreation Commission
Job description: The Park Aide will maintain the park through light housekeeping duties, janitorial services and grounds maintenance. Provide park information to visitors, register campers, answer phones and collect fees.
Requirements: must be at least 17 years of age with a valid driver’s license.
Application deadline: September 30, 2022 at 5:00 p.m.
Wildlife Area Technician
Salary: $2,738 - $3,535 a month
Full time, seasonal
Location: Ferry County
Department: Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
Job description: The Wildlife Area Technician will maintain and repair main facilities, compost facility, irrigation system, fences, trail heads, signs and gates and operate arc welders, cutting torches, tractors, mowers, basic power and hand tools and park vehicles, as well as assist in park maintenance and restoration.
Requirements: Three years of experience as a natural resources worker, or college-level experience in the field of agriculture, wildlife or other relating fields. Required certifications and licenses include a valid driver’s license, pesticide applicator license, CPR/First Aid certification, chainsaw operator certification and ATV/UTV operator certification.
Application deadline: May 16, 2022 at midnight.
Parks Planner
Salary: $5,772 - $7,574 a month.
Full time, permanent
Location: Thurston County
Department: Parks and Recreation Commission
Job description: The Parks Planner will plan and conduct project administration for projects between public and private partners, as well as manage projects, public hearings, tribal consultations and coordinations, contracts and grant applications.
Requirements: Bachelor’s degree with a majority of studies in park resource planning, landscape architecture, business administration, or land use planning or other related fields, four years of professional experience in collaborative project work, and an unrestricted driver’s license.
Application deadline: Open until filled.
Park Ranger
Salary: $4,627 - $6,063 a month
Full time, permanent
Location: Skamania County
Department: Parks and Recreation Commission
Job description: This specific park ranger job listing is for Beacon Rock State Park. Park Rangers will conduct administrative duties, enforce park rules, maintain and preserve park facilities through maintenance, upkeep and cleaning, supervise staff and volunteers and assist park visitors.
Requirements: Two years of experience as a fully commissioned Washington State Park Ranger or a Bachelor’s degree, two years of experience as a Park Ranger, commissioned Law Enforcement Officer or other experience in a Natural resource field and successful completion of law enforcement academies such as BLEA, POST, PLEA or SLETP.
Application deadline: Open until filled.
Scenic Bikeway Coordinator
Salary: $5,772 - $7,574 a month
Full time, permanent
Location: Thurston County
Department: Parks and Recreation Commission
Job description: The Scenic Bikeway Coordinator will work out of Tumwater and will coordinate efforts to develop a stateside scenic bikeway program, work within the legislative direction, regulations of the American Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials and other applicable regulations, and include tribal involvement throughout the process.
Requirements: Bachelor’s degree with major study in park administration, landscape architecture, park planning, environmental engineering, environmental planning or another related field, three years of professional experience in park planning, landscape architecture or similar professional work and an unrestricted valid driver’s license.
Application deadline: Open until filled.
You can browse for more environmental state jobs here.
This story was originally published April 27, 2022 at 12:42 PM.
