Park Ranger 3 (South Sound Area) Fully Commissioned Law Enforcement

Puget Sound Partnership

Puget Sound Partnership

Pierce County, WA, USA

Posted on May 15, 2026

Description


Job Title: Park Ranger 3, Fully Commissioned Law Enforcement
Location: South Sound Area State Parks
Close/Review: May 26, 2026, at 11:59pm PST

This opportunity is internal only and limited to current Washington State Parks employees only.
___________________________

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 area law enforcement and provide others with opportunities to learn and grow within a park area that highlights some of the best of Washington State's stunning 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 South Sound Area State Parks. This position will be based out of Penrose Point State Park. The South Sound Area includes Penrose Point, Belfair, Twanoh, Jarrell Cove, Harstine Island, Joemma Beach, and Kopachuck State Parks. In the South Sound, you can experience expansive recreational opportunities, while still being an hour or less from the Olympia or Tacoma areas.

The Park Ranger 3 serves as the expert level Law Enforcement Officer for the area and supports administration, supervision, maintenance, and public service within the management area. You will work in tandem with the Park Operations Ranger, C&M Supervisor, and Park Ranger 4 to implement the area management plan from a concept or vision into operation. 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.

Penrose Point State Park and the South Sound Area - Penrose Point is a richly forested 237-acre marine park with nearly 2 miles of Puget Sound shoreline, 2-1/2 miles of trails, overnight moorage, picnic sites and a shady campground. The South Sound Area Parks feature beautiful beaches and forests in a variety of marine parks, featuring warm saltwater swimming, scenic beauty and abundant shellfish. Recreational opportunities include beach exploration, swimming, boating, crabbing and fishing, shellfishing, kayaking and paddleboarding, scuba diving, hiking and camping.


Park Housing is available at a subsidized cost. Housing for this position is located at Belfair State Park in our 1,800 sq ft, 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom residence with a fully fenced back yard. The house is located in the admin area for Belfair, outside of the main park area. The house offers a carport but no garage.

Duties

Under the direct supervision of the Area Manager (Park Ranger 4), this position 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 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.

  • Perform administrative duties 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.

  • 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 accountable for meeting expectations; raise issues of significance with Area Manager.
    • Coordinate with Area Manager on personnel matters when necessary.
    • Supervise and provide oversight for work groups and volunteers.

  • Leadership to area staff as defined by Area Manager.
    • Create an environment of collaborative teamwork and respect for all employees. Address concerns in a timely and effective manner.
    • Proactively communicate with staff in a positive and supportive manner.

  • Represent Area.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Two (2) years of experience as a fully commissioned Washington State Park Ranger.
OR
  • Two (2) years of professional experience as a Park Ranger, commissioned Law Enforcement Officer, or equivalent experience in a Natural Resource field. AND
  • Bachelor's Degree **Experience in a Natural Resource, Law Enforcement or Recreation field will substitute year for year for education. AND
  • Having successfully completed a qualifying law enforcement academy (BLEA, POST, PLEA, or SLETP).

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Supervisory experience.
  • Project planning experience.

CORE COMPETENCIES:
  • Accountability - Accepts personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of their work. Can be relied upon to achieve excellent results.
  • Communication Effectiveness - Conveys clear, timely and persuasive messages that positively influence the thoughts and actions of others.
  • Customer Focus - Builds and maintains internal and external customer satisfaction with the services offered by the organization.
  • Ethics and Integrity - Earns the trust, respect and confidence of coworkers and customers through consistent honesty, forthrightness and professionalism in all interactions.
  • Learning and Growth - Adapts to change and applies new approaches, learns to navigate systems, processes, tools, and technology, and increases and develops knowledge, skills, and abilities.
  • Takes Action to Meet the Needs of Others - Collaborates with others to overcome challenges and find solutions, increases access, opportunities, and positive outcomes for others, and helps and supports people and communities from all backgrounds.

JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES:
  • Ability to remain flexible to respond to park emergencies.
  • Ability to use learned knowledge and understanding of the organizational and political climate to make decisions and take actions that satisfy diverse interests and contribute effectively to organizational goals.
  • Ability to focus on educating and influencing park users for voluntary compliance.
  • Ability to consistently enforce governmental laws, rules, and regulations.
  • Ability to initiate enforcement actions in a way that the public perceives as fair, objective and reasonable.
  • Ability to work with the public, employees and other staff in a friendly, positive and approachable manner in order to create a positive work environment.
  • Ability to make independent decisions that achieve desired results.
  • Ability to collect data, make sound decisions from data gathered, and evaluate consequences.
  • Have the demonstrated knowledge, skills, abilities, and attitudes required to effectively supervise and lead personnel.
  • Ability to establish clear performance expectations, coach and mentor employees, provide regular feedback, and correct behavior when necessary.
  • Ability to adapt to changing business needs, conditions, and work responsibilities.
  • Ability to orally communicate effectively on a one-on-one basis and in small groups.
  • Ability to write clearly and succinctly.
  • Ability to learn and grow.
  • Ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT POSITIONS
(Validated through Psychological & Polygraph examination and fitness testing):
1. No criminal activity while working in the criminal justice system.
2. No marijuana consumption within the past 12 months from the date of application received.
3. No possession of illegal drugs in the last ten years.
4. No crime committed as an adult, prosecutable under the statute of limitations.
5. No intentional deception in any stage of the testing process.
6. No intentional deception in the selection process of any law enforcement agency.
7. No domestic violence convictions.
8. No driving under the influence within the last five years.
9. Must meet the minimum fitness standards for law enforcement positions. Physical Ability Test (PAT) Information.
10. Possess sufficient physical stamina and dexterity to work arduous manual tasks over extended periods.
11. Willing to work Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, long and/or irregular hours and during inclement weather conditions.
12. Refrain from excessive alcohol consumption.
13. Must not have a substantial amount of driving violations that indicate a disregard for rules or laws.


How to Apply:
Only candidates who reflect the minimum qualifications on their NEOGOV profile will be considered. Failure to follow the application instructions below may lead to disqualification. To apply for this position, you will need to complete your profile, which includes three professional references and attach:

ALL APPLICANTS MUST ATTACH THE FOLLOWING:
1. Cover Letter specifically addressing the qualifications listed in this announcement.
2. Current resume.

** All requested materials must be submitted. Incomplete or late application materials will not be accepted. Failure to follow application process may disqualify you from further consideration. **

The information provided in your application must support your selected answers in the application questions. Answers will be verified, and documentation may be required. Responses not supported in your application will disqualify you for consideration of employment from this recruitment.

To take advantage of veteran preference, please do the following:

  • Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 long-form copy), NGB 22, or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
  • Please black out any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers. Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.
  • For more information on Veteran's Preference and instructions on how to check your eligibility, click here.

Supplemental Information

About Parks:
Want to join a great organization? The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission manages one of the largest, most diverse--and most beautiful—parks systems in the country. With more than 120,000 acres, the system includes 124 developed parks, including 19 marine parks, 11 historical parks, 35 heritage sites, 13 interpretive centers and approximately 500 miles of long-distance recreation trails. Parks is staffed with nearly 1,000 employees (summers), who are some of the most passionate employees you'll find anywhere. For more information on Washington State Parks, click here.

Note: This position is covered by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). Once the listed position(s) is (are) filled, this recruitment announcement may also be used to fill additional position(s) for up to sixty (60) days.

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.

Diversity Policy Statement:
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to build a workplace culture that is welcoming and inclusive in which all employees feel respected and empowered to bring their unique ideas to the agency. At State Parks, we believe that embracing diverse backgrounds and experiences is essential to growing a strong workforce. We encourage applicants underrepresented in natural resources and outdoor recreation fields to apply, including but not limited to women, Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC), individuals with disabilities, neurodivergent individuals, disabled and Vietnam era veterans, persons over 40 years of age, and individuals who identify as a part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
Persons needing accommodation 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 hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.

For information about the recruitment process and qualifications, please contact Nikki Williams at Nikki.Williams@parks.wa.gov or (360) 902-8678.

All applicants with a legal right to work in the United States are encouraged to apply.

Job Alerts to receive a list of new job postings at Parks.

See more open positions at Puget Sound Partnership