This is the senior level of the series and is a fully commissioned law enforcement ranger.  Positions at this level typically have one of the following assignments:

• The principal assistant/operations manager to the manager of a Park Area, overseeing daily park work activities.  They also assist in the development and control of all program activities for all or part of the Park Area; or
• Assigned to oversee operations as the highest level position at a satellite park within a Park Area, as designated in writing by the Assistant Director for Operations.

Identifies, plans, and schedules all park functions and activities for the staff on an annual basis which are updated quarterly and as required to fulfill the operational function of the park;

Directs a program of construction and maintenance of park structures, camp sites, water and sanitary systems, recreational, camping, picnicking, interpretation, and other park facilities;

Collects and accounts for charges; prepares the park's maintenance and operation budget including personnel and equipment for inclusion in the region budget; manages the maintenance and operating funds allocated to the park;

Trains park personnel, evaluates their performance and recommends appropriate action;

Represents agency at various meetings and gatherings; by direction, gives speeches where required;

Receives and adjusts complaints; writes letters; assists in the gathering of information for park usage and trends;

Performs other duties as required.

Must have graduated 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.

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

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

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 97130 Park Ranger 3, 98150 97150 Park Ranger 4; effective January 1, 2006.
Revise class. Revises desirable qualifications. Reduced experience from three years to two 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 “98150” and replaced with corrected class code 97150.
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.