Salary: $69,348.00 - $93,288.00 Annually
Location : Pacific County - Other, WA
Job Type: Agency Internal - Permanent
Job Number:
Department: Parks and Recreation Commission
Opening Date: 07/31/2026
Closing Date: 8/7/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description
Job Title: Park Ranger 3, Fully Commissioned Law Enforcement
Location: Long Beach Area State Parks
Closes: August 7, 2026, at 11:59pm PST.

Position Status: This permanent position is full-time year-round. There is dedicated housing available for this position at a subsidized cost.
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 law enforcement operations for the Long Beach Area and provide others with opportunities to learn and grow. 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 Long Beach Area State Parks. This position will be based out of Cape Disappointment State Park. The Long Beach Area includes Cape Disappointment, Fort Columbia, Colbert House, and Leadbetter Point State Park, as well as the Long Beach Seashore Conservation Area, which includes Pacific Pines State Park, Lake Loomis State Park property, and beach access points in a variety of areas.

The Park Ranger 3 leads routine law enforcement operations within the park area and serves as the primary team leader for implementing the area law enforcement plan from a concept or vision into operation. This position is also the lead for the Long Beach Seashore Conservation Area (SCA) and surrounding lands, so will need to gain an understanding of the SCA, property lines, trespass enforcement, special activity permits, and other challenges unique to this conservation area. The ability to build and maintain partnerships with a variety of key stakeholders, volunteer groups, and community members will also be critical to the successful management of the SCA.

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

Cape Disappointment State Park and the Long Beach Area - Cape Disappointment is a 2,023-acre camping park on the Long Beach Peninsula, fronted by the Pacific Ocean and looking into the mouth of the Columbia River. The park offers yurts and unique historic vacation homes, a boat ramp and 135 feet of dock on Baker Bay in the Columbia River, and is host to the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center and the North Head Lighthouse. The "Camp D" camp store is closed in 2026 and into 2027 due to construction of the new contact station.

Park Housing is available at a subsidized cost. Housing for this position is located at Fort Columbia State Park in an excellent location just 15 minutes north of Astoria, OR. It is a three-story historic home with a breathtaking view of the Columbia River. The home has 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, a small office/nursery, large living and dining rooms, basement, attic, a cozy modern kitchen with pantry, and baseboard heat. Wake up every morning to have coffee on the porch and enjoy your view. Nearby attractions and amenities include museums (history/film/marine), grocery stores (Costco, Walmart, Fred Meyer, Natural Grocers, pet store etc.), movie theater, craft brewery and distilleries, public aquatic center, Historic Liberty Theater (with music and plays year-round), and year-round trail walks, beach combing, exploring the fort, etc.
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, including serving as the lead for management of the Long Beach Seashore Conservation Area.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Perform administrative duties as an Operations Manager for the Long Beach Area SCA, 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 the SCA and surrounding properties.
  • Staff schedules - utilize data driven evidence when determining proper use of staff time and classifications.
  • 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, Federal partners, weed boards, wildlife departments and other outside entities.
  • Assist Area Manager with development and maintenance of Operational Planning & Reports, such as but not limited to, Staffing and Overtime Plan, Law Enforcement Plan, and Emergency Management Plan.
• Perform duties as the lead Law Enforcement Ranger for the Long Beach Area Parks and Seashore Conservation Area.
  • Maintain expertise of rules and regulations necessary to perform Law Enforcement duties, including WAC 352.32 and WAC 352.37 (the Seashore Conservation Area).
  • Review all Incident Reports for correctness and completeness.
  • Provide Enforcement Guidance to Ranger 1's and 2's.
  • Schedule appropriate Law Enforcement coverage based on demonstrable park needs.
  • Provide shift Law Enforcement coverage within jurisdictional parameters: rule enforcement; visitor education and protection.
  • Ensure all area Law Enforcement staff attend required quarterly training and In-Service.
  • Ensure proper Law Enforcement safety requirements/practices are met.
  • Manage park area Law Enforcement equipment and vehicles.
  • Provide local Law Enforcement outreach/coordination/communication (police agencies, courts, fire department).
• Participate in maintenance functions within SCA and surround properties.
  • Assist with setting maintenance priorities for the SCA.
  • Work with the Park Operations Ranger to assign, schedule, and complete lower-level maintenance projects for SCA where journey level skills are not required.
  • Assist in coordination of conservation projects within the SCA, provide logistical support as needed.
• 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.
  • Facilitate hiring for vacant positions.
  • Timely complete Position Description forms, as necessary.
  • Timely complete PDPs on an annual basis.
  • Hold staff accountable for meeting expectations; raise issues of significance with Area Manager.
  • Coordinate as necessary with Area Manager on personnel matters.
• Leadership to area staff as defined by Area Manager.
  • Understand and support mission and vision of Agency, Division and area.
  • Proactively communicate with staff in a positive and supportive manner.
  • Create an environment of collaborative teamwork and respect for all employees. Address concerns in a timely and effective manner.
  • Provide appropriate mentorship opportunities in order to improve skills and abilities for all staff under your purview.
• Represent the Long Beach 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.

NOTE: Applicants that are not currently employed as a Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission Park Ranger will first be screened for the required qualifications. It is important that you attach a copy of your qualifying law enforcement academy transcript or certificate and ensure you include this in the education section of the application form.(You must have graduated from a qualifying law enforcement academy and must have worked as a Commissioned Law Enforcement Officer or Commissioned Park Ranger within the last 24 months.)
Qualified applicants who are selected to move forward in the process will be emailed the required Personal History Review questionnaire to complete and will be required to submit a complete driving abstract (dated within the last 30 days).

JOB SUITABILITY DETERMINATION: Successful external applicants will have a history of law-abiding behavior and must pass a background investigation, drug and alcohol screening, medical/psychological/polygraph examination, and a physical ability test. Adverse background data may be grounds for immediate disqualification.

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.
FITNESS STANDARDS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT POSITIONS: Applicants that are not currently employed as a Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission Park Ranger will be required to pass a Physical Abilities Test (PAT). For more information click
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