Park Aide (San Juan Area) Marine Parks

Experience the natural beauty of Washington State Parks and get paid to do it!

Temporary Washington State Park Aide jobs are perfect for:

• People who like to get outside and enjoy nature, do physical work, and contribute to a truly important mission - maintaining a fantastic Parks system for everyone!

• Individuals who are interested in a longer-term career with State Parks.  Many permanent staff, including members of our executive team, started their careers as Park Aides.

• Students who are looking for summer work.

• Active retirees looking for work that keeps them moving and doing good in the world. Less than full-time work is a possibility in many locations.

Some benefits you might not know or be thinking about:

• Temporary positions are eligible for vacation and sick leave.

• Holiday pay might be available to you depending on when and how long you work.

• Great teammates who care about their work.

• Learning and refining a set of very practical and transferrable job skills.

• Being in nature is good for your physical and mental well-being.

• Wildlife sightings! From chipmunks and quail, to orcas and moose, and everything in between.

Park Aide jobs can be fun, fulfilling and career starters, but there are a few important things to consider:

• Weekend work is expected, and you might be asked to work evening shifts.

• Our Parks are busiest on spring and summer holidays, so we need more of our workers to be on schedule those days.  Getting time off around a holiday is not guaranteed.

• Bathroom cleaning is a task that most Park Aides get to experience fairly regularly.

• Most positions are at least moderately physical - walking, raking, bending, kneeling, lifting and moving lighter items (and heavier ones with assistance). If that is not appropriate for you, but you are still interested, read the announcement carefully to determine if there might be a position dedicated to less physical work at the park(s) you are interested in.

There may be low-cost housing options for temporary Park Aides this season.  Contact the Park directly for more information here. 

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This recruitment will be used to fill multiple non-permanent Park Aide positions located throughout the San Juan Area; Moran and Spencer Spit State Parks. Most positions are 3-5 months in duration, beginning in April-May.

Positions in this area typically are scheduled to work 40 hours a week, but we may have ability to offer less than full-time work - over the entire period of employment or for specific periods.  If you are interested in less than 40 hours a week, just let us know in the supplemental questions section of the application process.

Benefits eligibility for this position may be different than what's listed in the benefits tab of this recruitment announcement, for more information on employee benefits eligibility visit

- Public Employee Benefits Board (PEBB)

Park Aide Recruitment Video

• Typical Day

• Washington State Parks  

To read about other current and former Park Aides' experiences, click Here!

Moran State Park - (located in San Juan County) is 5,252-acres and offers abundant camping (151 sites), five freshwater lakes for swimming and non-motorized boating and more than 30 miles of hiking, bicycling, mountain biking and equestrian trails. Mount Constitution stands 2,409 feet above sea level.

Lime Kiln Point State Park - (located in San Juan County) is a 41-acre day-use park that is easily accessed by car or by bike from Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. The location is considered one of the best places in the world to view whales from a land-based facility. This park is considered one of the best whale-watching spots on earth. The pods, which also include humpback and minke whales, pass through the area every May through September, with peak times depending on salmon runs. Visitors can see the action from a 1919-vintage lighthouse or from a nearby sea cliff. These are Senior Park Aide positions ONLY. For additional information and requirements please visit

- Senior Park Aide Statewide job announcement

Spencer Spit State Park- (located in San Juan County) is a 138-acre marine and camping park situated on Lopez Island in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The park is named for the lagoon-enclosing sand spit on which it rests. The park has a reputation for excellent crabbing, clamming and car-top boating. This is one of the few state parks in the San Juan Islands that is accessible by automobile. A sand spit encloses a salt chuck lagoon.

Under the supervision of the Park Ranger, Park Aides in this area perform a variety of tasks at a State Park, beach, or historical area. A typical workday may include anything from registering campers and collecting camp fees, to cleaning facilities, mowing lawns, or explaining park rules. The specific duties will have some variation by park location.

Primary duties include, but are not limited to:

• All positions- Maintain park facilities through light routine maintenance and janitorial services.

• Maintains marine environment facilities to include docks, moorage buoys, and Compost Toilet waste systems.

• Performs marine vessel operation up to 21 foot in length and safely navigates waterways utilizing GPS and tide charts as well as docking and anchoring vessels.

• Provides water/boater safety, marine animal, and marine vegetation safety information to visitors and answer phones.

• Perform grounds maintenance work, such as cutting grass, weeding flower beds, pruning shrubs, raking leaves, and picking up litter.

• Register campers, collect, sort and count revenue; prepare bank transmittals and deposits.

• Perform daily garbage collection and litter control.

• Clean restrooms and stock cleaning supplies.

• Clean rental properties and perform general housekeeping duties including washing windows, scrubbing floors, mopping, and sweeping.

• Drive light truck or other state vehicle to transport supplies and equipment within the park area; haul refuse and garbage.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must be a minimum of 17 years old.

• Possess a valid (unrestricted) driver's license.

• If your DL is out of state (other than WA State), you will be required to show proof of a valid and current unrestricted driver's license at the time of the interview.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Vessel operations.

• Possess bilingual skills (Spanish language preferred).

JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES:

Ability to learn and interpret park rules, area information, and local history and educate park visitors.

Ability to manage multiple projects and maintain organization, communication, and a reasonable completion time and quality.

Ability to operate a variety of hand tools, power tools, and small equipment.

Ability to perform general maintenance to park buildings and facilities.

Ability to perform janitorial services, including the use of chemicals.

Ability to perform physical labor for extended periods of time.

Ability to work in all weather conditions.

Ability to work Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

Ability to learn about equipment servicing, diagnosing, and maintenance.

UNIFORM INFORMATION:

All non-permanent Park Aides are required to wear a uniform.  A complete and properly worn uniform helps establish the professional identity of a Park Aide and promotes respect as a Washington State Parks employee.  All non-permanent Park Aides will receive 2 shirts, 1 baseball cap, and a clothing stipend of $75.00 per calendar year. Some positions may qualify for a $150 clothing stipend depending on the length of the position.  Clothing stipends are intended to offset the cost of clothing worn in the workplace such as pants, boots, raingear, etc.

To ensure consideration, please complete the online job application and profile at State Parks Jobs.

NOTE:  Prior to a new hire, a background check, including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

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, Equity, and Inclusion

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.

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.

Persons desiring any accommodations in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the human resources office at (360) 902-8565. Applicants who are deaf or hearing impaired may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388. 

For more information about these positions, please contact Jenee Kramer at Jenee.Kramer@parks.wa.gov or (360) 902-8569.