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State of Washington Classified Job Specification

PARK RANGER 1

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PARK RANGER 1
Class Code: 389A
Category: Protective Services
Salary Range: 48


Class Series Concept

Positions in this series administer, operate, and maintain a state park or a park area. Positions provide interpretation of federal and state rules and regulations and provide assistance to park visitors. Positions provide education, interpretation, routine maintenance, visitor services and law enforcement. Positions in all class levels may be required to lead or supervise less trained or lower-level staff.

Definition

This level of the series performs limited enforcement. Incumbents are responsible for protecting, preserving and enhancing state parks while ensuring the safety and welfare of park visitors. Under the oversight of a higher level ranger, incumbents perform visitor services, maintenance, administration and/or enforcement duties. Incumbents may serve as a supervisor or lead worker for less trained park employees, volunteers, and temporary employees.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Works under general supervision to provide limited enforcement to provide security and to provide facility and program support services. Some positions, at the discretion and need of the agency, may serve as in-training positions, with training opportunities and experience to become fully qualified for any future Park Ranger 2 opportunities. For in-training positions, incumbents will remain a Park Ranger 1 through the required Criminal Justice Training Commission Law Enforcement Academy and Field Training Officer training, and will perform law enforcement duties under the direct supervision of a fully commissioned law-enforcement ranger.

Typical Work

Registers park visitors and assigns them to appropriate use areas; collects and accounts for fees;

Answers questions and explains park policies and regulations;

Protects the assigned park area and issue citations to violators;

Supervises and works with subordinates on development, construction, maintenance, and repair of park structures and facilities; supervises beach area and lifeguards;

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

Performs clean-up work and enforces standards for cleanliness and sanitation within park areas;

Performs maintenance and repair of park structures and facilities; performs grounds keeping activities;

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

Maintains records of park activities; prepares reports;

Performs other duties as assigned.

Legal Requirement(s)

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

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.
Ranger in-service training is required annually and provided by the Parks and Recreation Commission.

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.

Desirable Qualifications

Two years of lead worker experience or military service;

OR

90 quarter/60 semester hours of college;

AND

High school diploma or GED.

Equivalent education/experience.

Class Specification History

New class. Consolidates 97052 Park Ranger in-training, 97070 Park Ranger-Seasonal, 98090 97090 Park Ranger 1; effective January 1, 2006.
Revise desirable qualifications. Deleted driver’s license requirement under desirable qualifications and added history as a desirable major; effective March 4, 2008.
(3/9/2009) Corrected specification history effective January 1, 2006. Deleted class code “98090” and replaced with corrected class code 97090.
Revised class series concept and definition; adopted 3/11/2015, effective 3/12/2015.
(3/19/2015) Revised typical work, legal requirements, and desirable qualifications.
Revised category concept and definition; adopted as a handout May 14, 2015, effective May 15, 2015.
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 definition, distinguishing characteristics, typical work, desirable qualifications, and legal requirements; base range increase from 46 to 48, adopted June 23, 2025, effective July 1, 2025.