Superintendent of Visitor Protection and Law Enforcement

Superintendent Of Visitor Protection And Law Enforcement

Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission

Job Title:

Superintendent of Visitor Protection and Law Enforcement

Location:

Lacey, WA

Closes:
Continuous. This position will remain open until filled but the screening process will move quickly. In order to be considered for the first round of interviews, please submit your application materials no later than March 6, 2026.

About this Position:

Washington State Parks is seeking a strategic, grounded, and service-oriented leader to serve as the next Superintendent of Visitor Protection and Law Enforcement - a role that sits at the heart of how the public experiences safety, support, and stewardship in parks across the state. This position offers the chance to shape and elevate a statewide visitor-protection program that is both responsive and forward-looking.

You will guide and mentor a team of rangers and law enforcement professionals who work on the front lines every day, supporting visitors, navigating complex situations, and serving as trusted ambassadors for the outdoors. Your leadership will directly influence how staff are trained, supported, and empowered to deliver consistent, high-quality service rooted in professionalism and care. The Superintendent will play a central role in strengthening operational systems, enhancing statewide coordination, and ensuring that policies, practices, and training reflect modern approaches to public safety.

This includes balancing compliance with education, cultivating strong relationships with local partners and allied agencies, and championing a culture of accountability, inclusion, and continuous improvement. This is a rare opportunity for a leader who is ready to make a meaningful and lasting contribution— someone who brings sound judgment, a collaborative spirit, and a deep commitment to supporting both people and mission.

If you are energized by complex problem-solving, leading through change, and helping professionals thrive in a dynamic outdoor environment, we invite you to consider this important role.

About Washington State Parks:

Washington State Parks protects some of the most diverse and most beautiful lands in the country. From ocean beaches to mountain waterfalls, hiking trails to swimming areas, Washington's state parks welcome you to explore a wide variety of outdoor recreation and experience the state's most iconic and breathtaking natural wonders. Washington State Parks is the steward of one of the most diverse, spectacular, and beloved park systems in the country.

With 124 state parks, recreation areas, heritage sites, and trails, the agency manages nearly 120,000 acres of land that showcase Washington's extraordinary natural and cultural heritage—from rugged Pacific coastline and volcanic landscapes to inland forests, lakes, and historic sites. Washington State Parks operates with a commitment to accessibility, inclusion, sustainability, and stewardship, ensuring that current and future generations can enjoy safe, meaningful, and memorable outdoor experiences.

The agency is also actively engaged in expanding partnerships with local communities, tribes, and outdoor recreation organizations to strengthen conservation efforts and enhance recreational opportunities across the state.

The Superintendent of Visitor Protection and Law Enforcement leads the statewide Visitor Protection and Law Enforcement Program, integrating visitor and resource protection into Washington State Parks' broader mission. This position directs the development, coordination, and administration of the Visitor Protection and Law Enforcement Program, which includes the operational aspects of public safety, ranger law enforcement activities, risk management, while working collaboratively as a subject matter expert with Operations Division leadership, Park Area Managers, other agencies, and stakeholders.

The Superintendent provides policy direction and strategic leadership to both commissioned and limited-commissioned rangers, ensuring agency enforcement practices are mission-aligned, education-focused, and community-oriented. The position emphasizes…