Park Ranger 1

Location: This register will be used to fill vacancies as they occur throughout the state.
Salary: $2,799 - $3,653 per month
Recruitment #: R-286-OC
Job Class Title: Park Ranger 1 (389A)
Posting Date: 03/28/2006
Closing Date: Open Continuously

Duties
Under supervision, assists higher level rangers in the administration, operation, maintenance, development, interpretation, resource stewardship, education, visitor services and law enforcement of a state park or park area. All Park Rangers hired after November 19, 1999 are required to carry a firearm as part of their duties.

The Park Ranger 1 is an in-training classification. Incumbents will promote to Park Ranger 2 after successful completion of the in-training plan (initially set at 18 months).

Conditions of Employment
Are you willing and able to meet all of these employment conditions? If you cannot answer "yes" to all of these items, please do not apply because you cannot be considered for hire in these positions.

• Successfully complete a background investigation that includes, but is not limited to: personal history, driving record, credit rating, and employment. Applicants will be required to sign releases of information and shall not have access to any investigative materials and files. Background investigations are part of the pre-employment selection process and are not a commitment to employment.
• Must be 21 years of age at time of appointment.
• Willing to obtain a current American Red Cross Standard First Aid Certificate or equivalent.
• Possess sufficient physical stamina and dexterity to work arduous manual tasks over extended periods.
• Willing to work Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, and long or irregular hours.
• Must not have any felony or misdemeanor convictions involving theft, crimes of violence (including domestic violence), larceny, moral turpitude, controlled substances, or fraud.
• A driving record that indicates a disregard for rules and regulations is disqualifying. Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, hit and run, reckless driving, or an accumulation of driving violations will be evaluated and may disqualify you.
• Able and willing to arrest and handle suspected violators.
• Able to legally acquire and possess firearms and ammunition, as well as, willing to carry and use the firearms in a safe and appropriate manner.
• Must possess a valid, unrestricted (other than corrective lenses), drivers license.
• Willing to not use or be in possession of illegal narcotics, controlled substances, and to submit to drug testing.
• Willing to be free from excessive alcohol consumption and willing to submit to alcohol testing.

Special Notes:

1. The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission has a union shop requirement. Any employee hired into a Park Ranger position must meet union shop requirements within 30 days of employment.
2. This agency has a No Smoking Policy. Smoking will not be allowed indoors in State Parks facilities and buildings. Smoking will not be allowed in State Parks vehicles or in the pilot house and living quarters on State Parks vessels.
3. The Essential Functions of the position will be discussed with candidates at the oral interview. Essential functions include the minimum qualifications and primary duties on this announcement. Candidates are hired on a conditional basis; contingent upon candidates showing the ability to perform the essential functions, with or without accommodation.
4. Overnight travel may be required to attend training.
5. Applicants may be required to obtain the following licenses: Pesticide, Asbestos, Water Treatment, Wastewater Treatment, Hazardous Waste Handlers, and Commercial Drivers License (CDL).
6. Applicants will remain on the register for one year. All applicants not hired within one year of placement on the register are required to reapply for consideration.

Pre-Job Offer Screening
All applicants who are not already Park Rangers with the Washington State Parks & Recreation Commission are required to pass the following before being added to the register:

• Fitness Test - The General Population Single Standard Cooper Fitness Test (40th Percentile):

If you do not pass all of the fitness test elements you may retake the test until you pass. All candidates who retake the test must take and pass all elements.

• Fingerprint Background Check
• Psychological Examinations
• Reference Check

Post-Job Offer Screening

• Polygraph Examination
• Psychological Examinations
• Psychological Interview
• Drug and Alcohol Screening
• Medical Examination

Post-Employment Screening
Completion of an approved law enforcement academy and on-going weapon qualification requirements.

Minimum Qualifications
A Bachelors degree with 24 quarter/18 semester hours in parks and recreation or a natural resource field (Anthropology, Archaeology, Biology, Botany, Chemistry, Conservation, Ecology, Environmental Science, Forestry, Geology, History, Horticulture, Natural Resources, Outdoor Recreation, Park Management, Physics, Recreation, Wildlife, Zoology, or other related fields)

Experience as a Park Ranger, commissioned law enforcement officer or experience in a natural resources or outdoor recreation field will substitute year for year for education, provided that 24 quarter/18 semester hours in parks and recreation or a natural resource field have been attained.

If you have attended a law enforcement academy, please list this on the education section of the application form. A lapse in law enforcement training or employment of more than two years or an out-of-state academy may require that you attend additional law enforcement training.

1. A completed Washington State job application form
2. College Transcripts
3. Exam Responses
4. Washington State Parks Personal History Statement (110kb PDF)
5. Two Fingerprint Cards
6. Availability Statement

Washington State Parks
P.O. Box 14309
Tumwater, WA 98511-4309

You may obtain a Personal History Statement, Availability Statement, and fingerprint cards by contacting Washington State Parks at (360) 902-8565 or hr@parks.wa.gov. Your application will not be processed until all of the required forms are received.

Examination Procedure

• Applicants who meet the minimum requirements and pass the exam will be notified by mail when and where to appear for the fitness test and psychological written examinations.
• Candidates who pass the fitness test and psychological examinations will be placed on the Park Ranger 1 eligibility list (register). Candidates will be contacted to schedule a job interview, based on the Availability Statement. Only those candidates who are selected for a position will be scheduled for the post-job offer screening.

Applicants may only take the psychological examinations, psychological interview, polygraph, medical examination or drug analysis once in a 12-month period.

Examination
The following examination is an evaluation of your experience and training. To answer the questions, darken the appropriate letter choices using Part 9 "Test Answers" on your employment application. On the line before each answer, specify the job in which you gained the experience by listing the job number (located to the left of the employers name in Part 4 of your application). List a maximum of two numbers per line. The raters will score only those answers that follow the instructions. Additional information will not be accepted after the closing date of this announcement.

NOTE: Prior to choosing your answer to the questions in this exam, be sure to read all of the answer choices. Several of the answer choices may apply to you, but you should mark the level that best describes your education or experience.

NOTE: Do not count your degree in more than one subject area. Credit where it fits best. For example, if your major area of study was Outdoor Recreation, and you had 12 quarter credits of parks-related classes, you should not count your degree in the Parks category, but in the Recreation category. However, you may credit yourself with 12-quarter college credits in the Parks category. Be sure to read all four of the questions relating to education before answering them. Your college transcript will be used for verification.

1. Park-related college education (e.g., park operations and maintenance, park management, or other comparable programs.) Mark the one answer choice below that best describes your highest level of college education achieved:
1. I have successfully completed less than 12 quarter or 8 semester credits in these subjects.
2. I have successfully completed at least 12 quarter or 8 semester credits in these subjects.
3. I have earned an Associates degree in one of these subject areas.
4. I have earned a Bachelors degree in one of these subject areas.
5. I have earned a Graduate degree in one of these subject areas.
   
   
2. Natural Resource college education (e.g., ecology, forestry, biology, environmental resources, conservation). Mark the one answer choice below that best describes your highest level of college education achieved:
1. I have successfully completed less than 12 quarter or 8 semester credits in these subjects.
2. I have successfully completed at least 12 quarter or 8 semester credits in these subjects.
3. I have earned an Associates degree in one of these subject areas.
4. I have earned a Bachelors degree in one of these subject areas.
5. I have earned a Graduate degree in one of these subject areas.
   
   
3. Recreation-related college education. (Does not include physical education.) Mark the one answer choice that best describes your highest level of college education achieved:
1. I have successfully completed less than 12 quarter or 8 semester credits in recreation courses.
2. I have successfully completed at least 12 quarter or 8 semester credits in recreation courses.
3. I have earned an Associates degree in a recreation program area.
4. I have earned a Bachelors degree in a recreation program area.
5. I have earned a Graduate degree in a recreation program area.
   
   
4. Cultural resource studies. Mark the one answer choice below that best describes your highest level of college achieved in archaeology, anthropology, or history.
1. I have successfully completed less than 12 quarter or 8 semester credits in these subjects.
2. I have successfully completed at least 12 quarter or 8 semester credits in these subjects.
3. I have earned an Associates degree in one of these subject areas.
4. I have earned a Bachelors degree in one of these subject areas.
5. I have earned a Graduate degree in one of these subject areas.
   
   
5. Park aide experience: Mark the one answer below that best describes your experience working or volunteering in a park as an aide.
1. I have little or no experience working or volunteering in a park setting.
2. I have worked as an aide in a city, county, state, or national park for at least 3 months.
3. I have worked as an aide in a city, county, state, or national park for at least 6 months.
4. I have worked as an aide in a city, county, national or another states park for at least 12 months.
5. I have worked as an aide in a Washington State Park for at least 12 months.
   
   
6. Park Ranger experience. Mark the one answer below that best describes your park ranger experience. For items "a," "b", "c", and "d", you may count temporary, seasonal or permanent experience in a city, county, state, or national park. NOTE: Item "e" refers ONLY to Washington State Parks. If you have 9 or more months of experience in a Washington State Park, you should mark "e," not "c" or "d."
1. I have less than 6 months experience as a Park Ranger.
2. I have served as a park ranger for at least 6 months.
3. I have served as a park ranger for at least 12 months.
4. I have served as a park ranger for at least 24 months.
5. I have served as a park ranger in a Washington State Park for at least 9 months.
   
   
7. Outdoor recreation experience: Mark the one answer below that best describes your level of involvement in outdoor recreation activities such as boating, kayaking, hiking, backpacking, climbing, fishing, hunting, camping, mountain biking, search and rescue operations.
1. I have not participated, or participated very seldom, in any of these types of outdoor activities.
2. I have actively participated more than four times in these types of outdoor activities.
   
   
8. Writing skills: Mark the one answer choice that most closely describes your experience independently writing or composing letters, reports, memos or comparable written documents.
1. I have not had work experience where I was responsible for writing.
2. I have 3 months or more of full-time work experience using writing skills.
3. I have 6 months or more of full-time work experience using writing skills.
4. I have 12 months or more of full-time work experience using writing skills.
5. I have 24 months or more of full-time work experience using writing skills.
   
   
9. Oral communication skills (Education/training). Mark the one answer choice that most closely describes your education or training in oral communications, speech, debate or comparable courses.
1. I have had no post-high school courses in these subject areas.
2. I have had at least one post-high school course in these subject areas.
3. I have had at least two post-high school courses in these subject areas.
   
   
10. Oral communication skills (Experience). Mark the one answer choice below that most closely describes your experience participating in community or workplace public meetings or debates, conducting training, or speaking before groups of 10 or more. Do NOT count talks/presentations already counted in Question #9. NOTE: A "formal" presentation (Item "e") is one where you were invited to give a presentation OR were scheduled to administer training or give a presentation to a group who had pre-registered.
1. Have had little or no work or volunteer experience with this activity.
2. Have given informal talks to groups of 10 or more.
3. Have prepared and given 3 or more presentations, training, or talks before small groups.
4. Have prepared and given 3 or more presentations, training or talks before groups of 30 or more.
5. Have prepared and given 3 formal park-related presentations to groups of 30 or more.
   
   
11. Customer/public service. Mark the one answer that best describes your experience. (This may include working in a library, hospital, restaurant, any type of retail outlet or service counter, or in a similar environment where you encountered the public. Do NOT include experience where the only interaction was with co-workers.)
1. I have had little or no experience in a job where I have interacted with the public in person.
2. I have had at least 3 months of this type of work experience.
3. I have had at least 6 months of this type of work experience.
4. I have had at least 12 months of this type of work experience.
5. I have had at least 24 months of this type of work experience.
   
   
12. Operating a cash register or till/calculating math. Mark the one choice below that best describes your experience being responsible for performing math calculations and operating a cash register or till.
1. I have not held a job or a volunteer position in this capacity.
2. I performed these duties for at least 3 months.
3. I performed these duties for at least 6 months.
4. I performed these duties for at least 12 months.
5. I performed these duties for at least 12 months, AND I was responsible for balancing the books.
   
   
13. Computer operation. Mark the one choice below that best describes your level of experience using computers.
1. I have little or no computer experience.
2. I have independently used a computer to send or receive email and to access the Internet. As a result, I am quite comfortable using a computer, and am willing to learn to access a database and perform word processing activities on a computer.
3. I have independently used a computer to send and receive email, to research the Internet, and to do word processing.
4. I have independently used a computer to do the tasks listed above, as well as use spreadsheets and databases.
   
   
14. Leadership: Mark the one answer below that best describes your leadership roles either within or outside the workplace.
1. I have not held any lead positions or leadership roles.
2. I have served as a committee chair, a club officer, or a team or group leader on 1 occasion.
3. I have chaired at least 3 committees OR served as an organizations leader on 3 or more occasions.
4. I have held leadership roles listed in item "c" AND have organized, led, or coached 3 or more outdoor activities.
5. 
   
   
15. Leading/Supervising. Mark the one answer below that best describes your experience serving as a lead worker or supervisor of others. (A lead worker may have been paid the same as the employee, but the lead worker usually had more experience than the person or persons being led. For item "d", a supervisor is someone who does hiring, scheduling, assigning work, training, monitoring, evaluating, and being responsible for corrective action.)
1. I have less than 6 months experience leading or supervising volunteers or employees.
2. I have worked in the capacity of a lead worker for at least 6 months.
3. I have supervised at least one employee or one volunteer for at least 12 months.
4. I have served as a supervisor over 3 or more employees at one time for at least 12 months.
   
   
16. Equipment operation: Mark the one choice below that best describes your experience or willingness to learn to operate the following types of equipment: tractors such as front-end loaders, farm tractors, backhoes, riding mowers (with at least a 72" cut), chainsaws, 19-foot or longer motorboats, or truck-trailer combinations.
1. I am not interested in operating any of the types of equipment listed above.
2. I have not operated the types of equipment listed above; however, I am willing to learn.
3. I have operated at least one of the above types of equipment for 40 hours.
4. I have operated at least two of the above types of equipment (40 hours each).
5. I have operated at least three of the above types of equipment (40 hours each).
   
   
17. Vehicle and Equipment Maintenance: Mark the one choice below that best describes your experience or willingness to learn to perform tasks in these categories:
• Vehicle maintenance (e.g., engine tune-ups, lubricate and change oil, change filters, body work, etc.)
• Mowers and tractors maintenance (e.g., replacing belts, changing tires, pulleys, sharpening blades, etc.)
• Chainsaw and other small engine repair and maintenance (e.g., sharpening chains, replacing spark plugs, etc.)
• Welding
1. I am not interested in performing any of the types of tasks listed above.
2. I have no experience performing the particular tasks listed above; however, I am willing to learn.
3. I have had at least 40 hours of experience performing tasks in one of the above categories.
4. I have had at least 80 hours of experience performing tasks in two of the above categories (40 hours each).
5. I have had at least 120 hours of experience performing tasks in three of the above categories (40 hours each).
   
   
18. Grounds Maintenance: Mark the one choice below that best describes your experience or willingness to learn to perform tasks in these categories:
• Trail construction or maintenance (e.g., leveling, repairing)
• Road repair (e.g., patching, shoulder maintenance, clearing culverts)
• Irrigation (e.g., install and/or repair sprinklers, irrigation lines, operate automated sprinkler systems)
• Turf and landscape (e.g., mowing, fertilizing, herbicide application, pruning, edging, trimming)
1. I am not interested in performing any of the types of tasks listed above.
2. I have no experience performing the particular tasks listed above; however, I am willing to learn.
3. I have had at least 40 hours of experience performing tasks in one of the above categories.
4. I have had at least 80 hours of experience performing tasks in two of the above categories (40 hours each).
5. I have had at least 120 hours of experience performing tasks in three of the above categories (40 hours each).
   
   
19. Facility Maintenance. Mark the one choice below that best describes your experience or willingness to learn to perform facility maintenance tasks in these categories:
• Painting interior or exterior of buildings.
• Carpentry (e.g., framing, roofing, siding repair/replacement, building decks, fences, etc.)
• Minor plumbing repairs (e.g., replacement of fixtures, waterline repair/replacement, clearing plugged sewer lines.)
• Minor electrical repairs (e.g., upgrading old fixtures, wiring and installing fixtures.)
1. I am not interested in performing any of the types of tasks listed above.
2. I have no experience performing the particular tasks listed above; however, I am willing to learn.
3. I have had at least 40 hours of experience performing tasks in one of the above categories.
4. I have had at least 80 hours of experience performing tasks in two of the above categories (40 hours each).
5. I have had at least 120 hours of experience performing tasks in three of the above categories (40 hours each).

• 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 the people of this state today and in the future; and
• Diversity is crucial to our ability to serve all citizens.

The Commission encourages and supports staff efforts to reach out to people of all races, national origins, abilities, religions, sexual orientations, veteran status, ages, and genders who use the parks and who live in communities nearby parks. This outreach is to focus on engaging in partnerships that expand programs and services in a way that is meaningful and of value to all people. The Commission is dedicated to offering quality experiences to all visitors through a workforce and volunteer corps that reflects the diversity of Washington State.

THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. WOMEN, RACIAL AND ETHNIC MINORITIES, PERSONS OF DISABILITY, PERSONS OVER 40 YEARS OF AGE, AND DISABLED AND VIETNAM ERA VETERANS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY. PERSONS OF DISABILITY NEEDING ASSISTANCE IN THE APPLICATION/TESTING PROCESS, OR THOSE NEEDING THIS JOB ANNOUNCEMENT IN AN ALTERNATIVE FORMAT, MAY CALL THE HUMAN RESOURCE OFFICES OFFICE AT (360) 902-8565 OR THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS DEVICE FOR THE DEAF AT (360) 664-3133.

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