Internship - WA State Parks; DOD Skillbridge

Internship Opportunity

This internship opportunity is only open to active duty service members who are with 180 days of their transition date. The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission (WSPRC) is looking for transitioning service members who are interested in participating in the DOD Skill Bridge Internship Program for 2026. This program is specifically aimed at service members who are in their last 90-180 days of service that are interested in learning more about State Parks Rangers (enforcement), operations, interpretation or maintenance.

Learn more about this exciting opportunity on the DOD Skill Bridge website. The availability of the duty stations for these positions are state-wide through 26 separate internship opportunities by geographical parks management area. These internships require in person on-site at the park. For more information on Washington State Parks and their locations please visit our website.

Washington State Parks and Recreation provides these fantastic opportunities in our beautiful settings. Many people join Skillbridge to gain professional development skills or "try out" a position similar to one they're thinking of making a career in – such as teaching or environmental habitat restoration. These opportunities to gain real-world experience which gives you the advantage for follow on, full-time employment post separation/retirement.

No guarantee is made for follow-on employment with WSPRC, although we have a good track record of bringing on our interns for full-time work. Whatever the initial reason, by the end of their service term, Skill Bridge members realize the impact that the service itself has had on them; forever changing the way they view and interact with the world around them.

At this time, we offer three potential internship tracks
- Park Ranger/stewardship, Operations/construction, and Park Interpretation/education.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Be a military service member with enough service time remaining prior to your date of discharge to participate in a 120–180 day program and you have at least 180 continuous days of active service
• Please DO NOT apply if you're more than 12 months out from your Terminal Leave date.
• Obtain approval from your unit commander, and agree that participation in Skill Bridge can be terminated at any time by the Service if mission requirements dictate.
• Agree to and complete a Background Check (This position requires a fingerprint criminal background investigation prior to an approved internship; background checks are used in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform as an intern).
• Unrestricted Drivers License (other than corrective lenses).
• Must be able to work weekends, holidays, nights, days, and 40 hours a week.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Placement in this program is not guaranteed, availability and dates may vary from park to park area and is limited.
• Housing for these positions is not provided (before applying to a specific location it is recommended that you research your options, if not local).
• Service members participating in Skill Bridge receive their military compensation and benefits, we provide the training and work experience (no salary or benefits are provided by WSPRC).

POTENTIAL OBJECTIVES AND DUTIES:

• To gain experience in how parks operate and are maintained by supporting Park Rangers and other staff in their roles
• To gain an experience in parks operations and interpretation programs
• To gain an understanding of volunteer management and the role of volunteers in the parks
• To gain broad-based knowledge in State Park procedures and methods
• Learn about commissioned law enforcement duties and responsibility
• Shadow Rangers as they perform Law Enforcement duties
• Shadow Rangers while they conduct investigations
• Learn about protecting parks' properties
• Learn about WAC, RCW, policies and directives
• Shadow Parks staff as they educate the public on park rules
• Learn how to maintain equipment in proper working order to ensure safety
• Work alongside more experienced staff to ensure park facilities are clean and well maintained
• Observe staff interacting with visitors to influence the visitors' in voluntarily complying…