Park Area Manager (Park Ranger 4) Long Beach Area
Salary
$78,912.00 - $106,104.00 Annually
Location
Pacific County - Other, WA
Job Type
Agency Internal - Permanent
Job Number
2026-03272
Department
Parks and Recreation Commission
Opening Date
04/17/2026
Closing Date
5/1/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Salary Information
The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step
Description
Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
Job Title: Park Area Manager (Park Ranger 4)
Location: Cape Disappointment State Park, Ilwaco, WA. No housing available.
Salary: $78,912 - $106,104 Annually
Closes: May 1, 2026, at 11:59pm
Position Status: This is a full-time permanent position.
This opportunity is internal only and limited to current Washington State Parks employees only.
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Are you ready to take the next step in your career with Parks? This position offers an exciting opportunity to advance into a critical leadership role for Washington State Parks. The Park Area Manager (Park Ranger 4) plays a vital role in providing expert level input on projects, policy, procedure, rules, and regulations from a front-line operational perspective. They are responsible for a collection of parks, properties, trails and facilities, and the Parks staff assigned to their area. The Ranger 4 is the bridge between leadership and field staff.
Park Area Managers provide leadership and assistance to ensure that facilities and grounds are well maintained, operations run smoothly, and employees are positively engaged. The Area Manager oversees a variety of parks and state lands in the Long Beach Area, which includes Cape Disappointment State Park, Fort Columbia State Park, the Seashore Conservation Area, Leadbetter Point State Park, the Colbert House, and other Parks properties. This position reports to the Southwest South Region Manager. The duty station for this position is at Cape Disappointment State Park.
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 State Park 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. In addition to the large campground, the park offers yurts and unique historic vacation homes for overnight visitors. The North Head Lighthouse offers volunteer-led tours, and the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center features interactive exhibits and interpretive trails. Cape "D" also hosts a camp store with grocery, pizza and beverages, picnic and day-use facilities, and a boat ramp and docking space. This position offers unique opportunities to work in one of the highest Parks attendance areas in the state, with forested hiking trails and secluded beaches, one of the most intact historic coastal defense sites in the U.S. at Fort Columbia and help preserve and protect coastal forest habitat and 28 miles of the Seashore Conservation Area.
Duties
Every day is unique for Park Area Managers, and applicants should be ready to deal with a wide variety of complex, ever changing issues - from engaging with stakeholders and partners, to long term capital planning, tribal engagement, lease management, maintenance planning, law enforcement response and strategies, and crisis management. Staff include Park Rangers (law enforcement and non-law enforcement), construction and maintenance positions, Park Aides, Interpretive programs, and an administrative position.
Duties include, but are not limited to:
Facilitate the identification, planning, and oversight of all park activities as required to fulfill the mission/vision of the park area, division, and agency:
Manage area budgets; ensure fiscal accountability and compliance with agency.
Develop, submit for review, and maintain Operational Planning & Reports.
Independently operate Park vehicles to carry out job duties.
Provide direction and oversight for all maintenance functions in the area and coordinate with other Agency staff as needed:
Work with area Construction & Maintenance Supervisor to set maintenance priorities for area.
Develop and maintain biennial plan for area maintenance needs.
Ensure required maintenance safety training and procedures are met by all area staff.
Develop and manage area equipment and project budgets in cooperation with region and statewide priorities.
Oversee contract management at your location.
Supervise direct reports and assure they are following all applicable agency policies and procedures, statewide rules and regulations, and the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Provide leadership in park area and participate in leadership opportunities in the division and agency.
Understand and support agency and division mission and vision.
Create and maintain area mission and vision in alignment with agency and division goals.
Proactively communicate with staff in a positive and supportive manner.
Represent State Parks at meetings, in collaboration with agency programs, and in all facets of public engagement.
Oversight of Law Enforcement supervision.
Qualifications
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
CORE COMPETENCIES:
Note: This position requires the legal ability to operate a motor vehicle in the state of Washington. Applicants must possess a valid, unrestricted driver's license at the time of appointment and maintain it as a condition of employment.
HOW TO APPLY:
To ensure consideration, please complete the online job application and profile at careers.wa.gov. You must attach in your application the following:
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:
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 youll 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.
For information about the position duties, please contact Miles Wenzel at Miles.Wenzel@parks.wa.gov or (360) 581-1213.
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.
More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. Thats why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.
Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.
Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.
Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.
To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.
Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.
Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.
Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.
Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.
Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.
Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.
Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.
Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.
Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.
Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.
Bereavement Leave
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.
Additional Leave
Leave Sharing
Parental Leave
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay
Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.
Updated 01-07-2026
01
Do you possess a valid unrestricted (other than corrective lenses) drivers license AND two (2) years of driving experience?
02
Which of the following best describes your highest level of education?
03
In regards to question #2, please identify the area of focus of your degree. Please indicate how many quarter or semester hours you completed in the field. If this does not apply, enter "N/A".
04
How much experience do you have working in a Natural Resources field?
05
How much experience do you have working in a Recreation field?
06
How much experience do you have working as a Commissioned Law Enforcement Officers?
07
In regards to question #4, 5, and 6, please clearly describe when and where you received the experience including the name of the employer, position held, and dates of employment. If this does not apply, please enter "N/A". Incomplete answers or "see resume" will not be accepted.
08
How much supervisory experience do you have?
09
How much experience do you have in project planning?
10
Please briefly describe your project planning experience. If this does not apply, enter "N/A".
Required Question
Employer State of Washington
Address View Job Posting for Agency Information
View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504
Website http://www.careers.wa.gov