This is the supervisory or expert level of the series. Positions at this level are responsible for the overall management of a park area, including budget, staff, facilities, maintenance, programs, customer service, operating plans and stakeholder work.

Performs work of lower-level park rangers; determination of the supervisor/expert level is based upon the complexities of the park or park areas managed;

Disseminates information to the public; establishes and maintains cooperative relations with the general public, contractors, and with officials of other interested public jurisdictions;

Protects park properties; exercises commissioned police powers;

Oversees activities of concessionaires to ensure compliance with concession agreements and park rules;

Assists the Regional Supervisor in planning and implementation of internal policies for the operation of regional programs; assists in preparation of biennial budget;

Schedules inspections of regional parks and areas to provide coordination of maintenance, visitor protection, interpretation, and construction programs; with region team conducts inspections to ensure proper operation, funding, and/or maintenance;

Evaluates regional programs to ensure compliance with agency policy, i.e., region wide Master Equipment Plan; as region troubleshooter recommends solutions regarding specific park related problems;

Assumes responsibility for regional activities during temporary absence of Regional Supervisor;

As regional Training Officer, is responsible for planning, coordinating, and conducting regional in-service training, i.e., Lifeguard & Fire Protection Programs;
Carries out various special projects and assignments as directed by the supervisor; may represent the agency and/or Regional Supervisor at meetings and functions as directed;

Responsible for planning, development, and coordination of the Statewide State Parks law enforcement and visitor protection program;

As Program Planner, develops and maintains division plans regarding park operations, maintenance, law enforcement, forestry, youth programs, and interpretive programs;

Performs other duties as required.

All positions require an unrestricted (other than corrective lenses) driver’s license.

Some positions may require prior graduation from a qualifying law enforcement academy and must have worked as a commissioned law enforcement officer or commission Park Ranger within the last 24 months. Training and Officer experience must meet Washington commission regulatory requirements.
Must be 21 years of age by date of hire.
There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law.

A Bachelor’s degree with 24 quarter/18 semester hours in parks and recreation, history, or a natural resource field

AND

Three years of experience as a park ranger, commissioned law enforcement officer or equivalent experience in a natural resources field

AND

Two years of supervisor at the professional level.

Note:  Experience as a Washington State Park Ranger will substitute on the basis of one year of experience for two years of education.

Note:  Experience as a park ranger, commissioned law enforcement officer or equivalent experience in a natural resources or outdoor recreation field will substitute year for year for education, provided that 24 quarter/18 semester hours in parks and recreation, history, or a natural resource field have been attained.

New class. Consolidates 97170 Park Ranger 5, 98190 97190 Park Ranger 6, 97210 Park Ranger 7; effective January 1, 2006.
Revise class. Revises desirable qualifications. Increases experience from two years to three years and added history as a desirable major; effective March 4, 2008.
(3/9/2009) Corrected specification history effective January 1, 2006. Deleted class code “98190” and replaced with corrected class code 97190, and added class code 97210 as it had been omitted previously.
Revised definition, distinguishing characteristics, typical work statements, knowledge and abilities and minimum qualifications, adopted 06/13/2019, effective 07/01/19.

Revised Legal Requirements; effective June 6, 2024, due to adopted legislative action.