Park Ranger 2 In-Training (Statewide)

Job Title: Park Ranger 2 In-Training
Location: Statewide
Close/Review: January15th, 2024

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Here's an opportunity for you to apply for what many consider to be a "dream job" - working as a Park Ranger for Washington's beautiful state parks. As a Park Ranger, you get to work outdoors, share your passion for the outdoors with the public, protect the public and the state's natural resources. There are so many opportunities for learning, growth, and advancement options. While law enforcement is not the only work you'll be performing, these positions at the Park Ranger 2 level, are fully commissioned and armed. If this sounds like your ideal job, we would love for you to apply!

**UPDATE** Due to recent legislation and the implementation of HB1132, candidates who have not attended a law enforcement academy will be required to attend the 18-week Basic Law Enforcement Academy (BLEA). Candidates who have completed a law enforcement academy (NOT BLEA), are subject to a general equivalency certification (you will be asked to provide a syllabus of the academy completed) and will also be required to attend a two-week BLEA Equivalency Course. Candidates whose law enforcement equivalency cannot be certified would be required to attend the full 18-week BLEA academy.

Duties

Park Ranger 2's are responsible for protecting, preserving, and enhancing our state parks and natural resources, while ensuring the safety and welfare of park visitors; they communicate with the public including providing public information; they identify, improve and protect wetlands, archeological sites and other sensitive or endangered sites; they prepare and present interpretive and educational talks to the public regarding parks resources and related topics; they complete law enforcement activity. The specific duties will have some variation by park location.

This recruitment will be used to fill current and future full-time, permanent, Park Ranger vacancies across Washington State. Park placement is based on many things including candidate preference and agency need. The specific Park locations will be discussed with candidates at a point after the conditional offer of employment has been made.

For more information on Washington State Parks and Recreation, including location information for all Washington State Parks, click here.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or GED.
• United States citizen or lawful permanent resident.
• A valid driver's license (unrestricted, other than corrective lenses).
• Must be 21 years of age by date of hire (approx. 6 months from submitting application).
• Two (2) years of college (Military experience, Commissioned law enforcement experience, Natural Resource, or Recreation field experience will substitute year for year for education).

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree.
• Previous work experience in a State or National Park.
• College coursework in Natural Resources or Recreation.
• Bilingual – English/Spanish
• Knowledge of, experience and awareness of Native American tribal culture, perspective, history, language, traditional arts, or cultural practices.

**Candidates must have graduated from a qualifying law enforcement academy (or currently be attending one) or must have worked as a commissioned (and armed) law enforcement officer or WA State commissioned Park Ranger within the last 24 months from date of hire. If you have previously worked in a fully commissioned (and armed) law enforcement capacity in Washington State but haven't done so within the past 24 – 60 months, you can still apply. Applications will be reviewed by subject matter experts to determine qualifications. Successful candidates may be required to complete additional equivalency training.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT POSITIONS (Validated through psychological, polygraph examinations and fitness testing):
_1. No criminal activity while working in the criminal justice system.
2. No marijuana consumption within the past 12 months from the date of application received.
3. No possession or use of illegal drugs in the last ten years or no more than 3 lifetime uses of illegal drugs (see substance use section for more information).
4. No crime committed as an adult, prosecutable under the statute of limitations.
5. No intentional deception in any stage of the testing process.
6. No intentional deception in the selection process of any law enforcement agency.
7. No domestic violence convictions.
8. No driving under the influence within the last five years.
9. Must meet the minimum fitness standards for law enforcement positions. _Physical Ability Test (PAT) Information.

11. Willing to work Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, and long and/or irregular hours and during inclement weather conditions.
12. Refrain from excessive alcohol consumption.
13. Must not have a substantial amount of driving violations that indicate a disregard for rules or laws._

SUBSTANCE USE INFORMATION:
The Washington State Parks & Recreation Commission (WSPRC) drug standards for Park Rangers are: (1) No possession or use of non-prescribed stimulant, Opium, Cocaine, Codeine, Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, Methadone, Methamphetamine, Amphetamine, Depressants, Hallucinogenic substances, etc., as defined in RCW 69.50.201-214, within the last 10 years or no more than 3 lifetime uses of any combination (excluding marijuana/hashish). "Possession" is defined as illegal control, touching, holding, selling, or trafficking of any illegal, non-prescribed drugs. (2) Zero tolerance for the selling or manufacturing of any drugs, as defined in RCW 69.50.201-214, including the illegal selling or manufacturing of marijuana. (3) Zero tolerance for the illegal possession or use of any non-prescribed drugs (as defined in RCW 69.50.201-214), while employed or having been employed in a commissioned capacity by a law enforcement agency, including a military position with law enforcement powers. (4) No marijuana consumption within the past 12 months (from the date of application received).
_If your past substance use is outside of our current drug policy, you may submit a waiver by writing a letter to the screening committee that includes full details of the past substance use and provides justification of why you should be granted an exception to our policy. You can also include any evidence or letters of recommendation to be reviewed along with your letter. Waivers must be attached to your application and received with your application package. For questions regarding waivers and or submission please send all correspondence to: HR.Recruitment@Parks.wa.gov.

REQUIRED TRAINING:

1.In-Training Plan

Agency sponsored candidates must attend a 720-hour, 4–5-month Basic Law Enforcement Academy (BLEA) at the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center in Burien, Spokane, or a satellite site. Candidates who have already attended an approved equivalent law enforcement academy (not BLEA) will be required to attend a two-week BLEA Equivalency Course. While attending BLEA, the candidate will be paid as a Park Ranger 1. Washington State Parks will cover the cost of tuition, meals, and lodging while the candidate is at the Academy.

2. Internal Mandatory Law Enforcement Training

All Park Rangers will be required to attend and successfully pass this training which will include a curriculum of defensive tactics certifications, firearms qualifications, radio communications, legal updates, and other duties and responsibilities specific to the role of a Park Ranger 2, such as:

• Chain-of-command structure
• Supervision, employees/volunteers
• Role and authority
• Discover Pass enforcement
• Issuing of infractions
• Crime recognition and incident reporting
• Tactical communications
• Must possess or obtain a valid First Aid and CPR certification (provided by Agency).

A commissioning ceremony will conclude the training session.

3. Ranger Training Program (RTP)

The RTP is a standardized training program to ensure that all Rangers attain the training required of their position, both formal and on the job training. The Ranger will have to demonstrate specific awareness, knowledge, skills, and ability in a wide range of areas and duties that reflect the varied job duties of the Ranger job class. These duties include, but are not limited to, supervision, performing interpretive tasks, grounds and facility maintenance, resources, stewardship, administrative duties, customer service, and public administration. The RTP contains a law enforcement component described in more detail below.

4.Field Training Program (FTP)

The FTP is a required component of the RTP designed to facilitate the Rangers transition from academic learning to actual law enforcement duties in the field. During the FTP, the Ranger will ride with multiple Field Training Officers over the course of 14-20 weeks, until it has been determined that the Ranger can perform law enforcement independently.

Park Rangers will initially be hired at the Park Ranger 1 classification, as a training step. Incumbents will remain at the Ranger 1 level for a minimum of 12 months. Incumbents must successfully complete all of the above training requirements to advance to the Park Ranger 2 classification within 18 months of the initial date of hire. All Park Ranger 2's will serve a minimum 6-month trial service period** after completion of the In-Training Plan.

The salary range of the Park Ranger 1 job class is $3,883.00 - $5,214.00 monthly. The salary range of the Park Ranger 2 job class is $4,385.00 - $5,900.00 monthly. Most newly hired Park Rangers will start at Step A (depending on qualifications) in the Park Ranger 1 job class salary range. After successful completion of the In-Training plan, candidates will advance to the Park Ranger 2 job class salary range.

Supplemental Information

HOW TO APPLY:
To ensure consideration you must complete the online job application at Parks.wa.gov/jobs. This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

To be considered, your application package must include ALL of the following:

Complete online application that includes all past work history (including current and previous supervisors' names and phone numbers) and education, going back at least ten (10) years.

Letter of Interest.

FIVE (5) names of professional references including phone numbers and email addresses. We will be contacting your current/previous supervisors. You do NOT need to attach letters of recommendation; we will be contacting them. A professional reference is defined as an individual who has been paid to supervise your work and can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job competencies.

Complete Supplemental Questionnaire - The answers to your supplemental questions will be initially reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure you meet our Park Ranger law enforcement standards. Throughout the process, your answers will continue to be reviewed along with your law enforcement tests results to verify your answers. Responses not supported in your application, will disqualify you for consideration of employment from this recruitment. If you are currently a WSPRC employee, it could also affect your current or future employment with the agency. Bottom line - take your time answering these questions, and remember absolute honesty is essential!

Veterans - Candidates with prior military experience must submit a member 4 copy of their DD214, DD256, or NGB22.

Transcripts - Candidates with college education/credits must attach unofficial copies of all college and university transcripts that show the degree received and credits completed. International transcripts must include a foreign transcript evaluation. For a list of approved credential evaluation services visit: http://naces.org/members

Certificate from a Law Enforcement Academy or syllabus from the Law Enforcement Academy completed (if applicable).

The information provided in your application must support your selected answers in the application questions. Answers will be verified and documentation may be required. Responses not supported in your application may disqualify you for consideration of employment from this recruitment.

This position is included in the non-supervisory bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). For more information: https://wfse.org/

Diversity Policy Statement

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating and sustaining a working environment that includes, welcomes, and respects diverse identities of race, culture, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, and more. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam veterans and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are invited to apply.The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is committed to creating an equitable, hospitable, appreciative, safe, and inclusive park environment – one that embraces and values the full spectrum of all community members' contributions. The Commission makes this commitment because:Diversity strengthens the workforce in competence and ability.
Celebrating diversity appreciates and values individual differences.
Diversity serves an increasingly heterogeneous society.
Diversity helps ensure the relevance of a state park system, its mission, properties, and programs to all people of this state today and in the future.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion strengthens our ability and commitment to serve all citizens.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $46,596.00 - $70,800.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• On-the-job training
• Paid housing
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Physical setting:

• Camp
• Outdoor work

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Work Location: In person