Park Ranger 3 (Central Lakes Area) Fully Commissioned Law Enforcement

Park Ranger 3, Fully Commissioned Law Enforcement

Location:

Central Lakes Area State Parks. Close/Review:
July 14, 2026, at 11:59pm PST. This permanent position is full-time year-round. There is dedicated housing available for this position at a subsidized cost.

Are you ready to step beyond the field and into a position where you can lead and direct a team? This position offers an exciting opportunity to direct operations and provide others with opportunities to learn and grow within a park area that features some of the best of Washington State's unique geography. We are looking for a law enforcement professional who likes variety in their day, enjoys building relationships and mentoring others, and can create an organized and inclusive operations structure to effectively implement the area vision.

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is recruiting to fill one (1) full-time Park Ranger 3 position for The Central Lakes Area State Parks. This position will be based out of Alta Lake State Park. The Central Lakes Area includes Alta Lake, Bridgeport, Lake Chelan and Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park. In Central Lakes, you can experience high desert sunshine living in dramatic geological landscapes.

The Park Ranger 3 leads routine operations within a park or area and serves as the primary team leader for implementing the area management plan from a concept or vision into operation. As a Park Ranger 3, you will be coaching, mentoring, supervising and leading your park team while coordinating multiple long-term plans and projects important to the successful operation of the area.

You will be a part of a collaborative environment where you'll be empowered to share your creative ideas and support area operations through coordination, planning and execution. This position is not eligible to telework, as physical in-office presence is required to perform essential functions.

Alta Lake State Park and the Central Lakes Area - Alta Lake State Park is a camping and day-use park where mountainous pine forests meet the desert, offering a wide variety of family friendly activities including camping, swimming, hiking, volleyball, horseshoe pits and picnicking. The 2-mile-long lake offers trout fishing, water skiing and windsurfing during the summer months. Spring months bring a wide variety of wildflowers to enjoy as well as birdwatching.

Alta Lake features a seasonal concession stand with snacks, beverages, groceries and camping items, as well as kayaks and stand-up paddle board rentals. The Central Lakes Area parks feature dramatic landscapes created by Ice-Age floods. Freshwater lakes and rivers provide ample opportunities for visitors to launch a watercraft, paddle board, or SUP to swim, paddle, fish, water ski, windsurf or even scuba dive.

The area's recreational opportunities also include playgrounds, sports courts, biking and hiking trails, and a variety of camping opportunities. The Central Lakes Area also includes one of Washington State's most popular state parks:
Lake Chelan. Generations of families continue to enjoy the 50-mile-long Lake Chelan every year, as will first-timers.

Under the direct supervision of the Area Manager (Park Ranger
4), this position serves as the Operations Manager for the Central Lakes Area. This position further serves as the expert level Law Enforcement Officer for the area and supports administration, supervision, maintenance, and public service within the management area.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Perform administrative duties as an Operations Manager for the Park Area, implementing area strategies based on mission and goals as defined by Area Manager.
• Assess operational needs of park area; raise issues with Area Manager.
• Develop logistical plan for completion of park projects. Provide area manager with prioritized lists and necessary documentation.
• Provide oversight for day-to-day operations of park area.
• Develop staff schedules.
• Prepare for emergency management. Ensure that all necessary plans are in place and up to date.
• Develop and manage special projects in collaboration with work groups, weed boards, wildlife departments and other outside entities.
• Perform duties as the lead Law Enforcement Ranger for park area.
• Maintain expertise of rules and regulations necessary to perform Law Enforcement duties.
• Schedule appropriate Law Enforcement coverage based on demonstrable park needs.
• Participate in maintenance functions within the park area.
• Assign, schedule, and complete lower-level maintenance projects for park area, where journey level skills are not required.
• Ensure all safety requirements are met on job site.
• Responsible for the care and upkeep of park tools and equipment.
• Supervise staff and volunteers following all applicable Agency policies and procedures; statewide rules and regulations; and the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
• Provide oversight and instruction to staff.
• Ensure staff meet training requirements.
• Timely complete PDPs on an annual basis.
• Hold staff…