Park Operations Ranger; Lakes Area; Internal

Location:

Pateros, WA

Compensation: $64,512 - $86,688 annually

Closes:
October 9, 2026, at 11:59 PM Pacific.

This opportunity is internal only and limited to current permanent and current non-permanent/temporary Washington State Parks employees only.

This recruitment will be used to fill one (1) full-time permanent Park Operations Ranger position in the Central Lakes Area.

The newly created Park Operations Ranger position will serve as the principal assistant/operations manager for the Central Lakes Area Parks and will be based at Alta Lake State Park. This position is critical in ensuring area parks are functional, welcoming, and aligned with the agency’s mission to preserve natural and cultural resources while supporting public recreation. This administratively commissioned (non-law enforcement) Park Operations Ranger position will provide oversight for day-to-day operations, operations staff, facilities, and public services for the Central Lakes Area, under the direct supervision of the Area Manager.

They also assist in the development and control of program activities for the park area.

This Park Operations Ranger position includes supervisory responsibilities and will directly supervise Park Ranger 1’s, Senior Park Aide’s, and other park personnel as assigned. This position will not supervise journey-level Construction and Maintenance staff or fully commissioned law enforcement staff.

This position is not eligible to telework, as physical in-office presence is required to perform essential functions.

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.

Park Housing is available for this position at a subsidized cost. The residence is a 3-bedroom, 2 bath rambler with an attached one car garage located at Bridgeport State Park.

These positions serve as a Park Operations Ranger for their area, implementing area strategies based on the mission and goals as defined by the Area Manager.

• Perform administrative duties as the Park Operations Ranger for 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.
  • Provide oversight for day-to-day operations of park/park area.
  • Staff schedules; utilizes data driven evidence when determining proper use of staff time and classifications.
  • Oversee and inform fee collection processes. Ensure operating funds are used effectively and in compliance with guidelines under the direction of the Area Manager.
  • Assist Area Manager with development and…