See Park Ranger 1

Positions at this level independently perform journey level Park Ranger duties either as a:
• Fully commission law enforcement ranger performing law enforcement ranger duties; or
• A limited commission law enforcement ranger performing operational management to oversee operations as the highest level position at a satellite park within a Park Area, as designated in writing by the Assistant Director of Operations.

Works under general supervision to provide fully commissioned law enforcement, or limited law enforcement commission and management of operations at a satellite park.

Supervises and works with subordinates on development, construction and maintenance of park structures, camp sites, water and sanitary systems, recreational, camping, picnicking, interpretation, and other park facilities;

Inspects work in progress and upon completion to ensure that plans and specifications have been followed;

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

Protects park properties; exercises commissioned police power;

Manages an Environmental Learning Center (ELC), including all phases of purchasing, collection of visitor fees, coordination with visitor groups, maintenance of facilities and equipment, submittal of project work requests, budgeting expenditures, requisitioning equipment and supplies, operating within the allotted budgets and completing all ELC related reporting requirements;

Performs other duties as required.

All positions require an unrestricted (other than corrective lenses) driver’s license.
Must be 21 years of age by date of hire.

All fully commissioned law enforcement positions require certification from Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission.

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.

One year of experience as a park ranger, commissioned law enforcement officer or equivalent experience in a natural resources field.


Fully commissioned officers must have Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission certification (or currently be enrolled) or must have worked as a commissioned law enforcement officer within the last 24 months from date of hire or worked as a commission Park Ranger with Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission within the last 24 months. Training and Officer experience must meet Washington commission regulatory requirements.


Experience as a park ranger, commissioned law enforcement officer or 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.

Note: Military experience or natural resource or recreation field experience will substitute year for year for education.

Equivalent education/experience.

New Class. Replaces 97110 Park Ranger 2, effective January 1, 2006.
Revise class. Revises desirable qualifications. Reduced experience from 18 months to one year and added history as a desirable major; effective March 4, 2008.
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.
Revised typical work, legal requirements, desirable qualifications; base range increase from 51 to 53, adopted June 23, 2025, effective July 1, 2025.