Salary: $3,246.00 – $4,216.00 Monthly
Location: Cowlitz County – Multiple Locations, WA
Job Type: Full Time – Permanent
Department: Parks and Recreation Commission
Job Number: 2022-17657
Description
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. And the agency is staffed with nearly 1000 employees (summers), who are some of the most passionate employees you’ll find anywhere We love what we manage and what we do. For more information on Washington State Parks, click here.
This position is a great opportunity to work at a beautiful flagship visitor center in close proximity to our partners at the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. Nestled in a forest on a lake with volcanic views, we are a must-visit attraction!
Come join our energetic staff as we offer fun summer Interpretive programs in our plaza and campgrounds, and staff a busy information desk, disseminating area information and providing trip-planning advice. This is a very popular site with plentiful summer crowds and endless enthusiasm for all things volcano, flora, fauna, history, and culture!
Duties
This position assists the Area Parks Interpretive Specialist 2 in the management of the Mount St. Helens Visitors Center and professional level interpretive program support to the Upper Cowlitz Park Area which includes Ike Kinswa State Park, Lewis & Clark State Park, Jackson House State Park Heritage Site, Matilda N Jackson State Park Heritage Site, Mount Saint Helens Visitor Center, and Seaquest State Park.
Duties include but are not limited to:
- Assist the Parks Interpretive Specialist 2 with the day-to-day operation and management of the Mount Saint Helens Visitor Center:
- Staff the front desk during open business hours and provide orientation and area-wide information services for the visiting public, while providing first-class customer service.
- Assist with advertising and scheduling interpretive programs and special events within the Park Area.
- Assist in activities to recruit, schedule, train, and oversee volunteers and volunteer groups involved in interpretive or special event activities.
- Trains, schedules, oversees daily routines, and supervises seasonal park aides.
- Daily Maintenance:
- Perform the daily upkeep and janitorial duties throughout the visitor center to maintain the exhibits/buildings, this includes cleaning restrooms.
- Participate in the grounds keeping and maintenance work outside the facility and along the trail.
- Assist in the development and delivery of formal interpretive programs that include a variety of venues for park visitors, schools, and tour groups.
- Assist with internal and external exhibits, publications, brochures, panels, signage, and other educational materials:
- Assist with annual special events and large facility projects. This could include partnership work between agencies/organizations and/or working with contracted vendors.
Qualifications
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- **Bachelor’s degree involving major study in interpretation, history, geology, forestry, ecology, natural resource sciences, anthropology, archeology, or a closely related field.
- A valid unrestricted (except for corrective lenses) driver’s license.
**Experience in historic or natural science research or interpretation may be substituted year for year for education.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience with customer service and Interpretive interactions at a busy site or visitor center.
- Experience with multimedia development and virtual programming skills.
CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT: All Washington State Parks employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by the time of hire. Please note that any offer of employment is contingent upon you providing verification of your vaccine status. If you have questions about this requirement, please contact the recruitment team at HR.Recruitment@parks.wa.gov.
UNIFORM INFORMATION: All Parks Interpretive Specialists are required to wear a uniform. A complete and properly worn uniform helps establish the professional identity of an Interpretive Specialist and promotes respect as a Washington State Parks employee. All Parks Interpretive Specialists will receive the same standard uniform that is issued to the Park Ranger series, to include: shirts, pants, shorts, headwear, sweater, belt, necktie, jacket, and badge.
Supplemental Information
How to apply: To ensure consideration, please complete the online job application and profile at www.careers.wa.gov – https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/3841803/parks-interpretive-specialist-1-mount-st-helens-visitor-center
You must attach or embed in your application the following:
- Letter of interest specifically addressing the qualifications listed in this announcement.
- Current resume.
- Three professional references, if not completed in the application process.
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/.
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.
Diversity Policy Statement: The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is committed to creating an equitable, hospitable, appreciative, safe, and inclusive park environment – one that embraces 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 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 Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. 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 encouraged to apply.
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.
If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or support@neogov.com.
For information about this position, please contact Alysa Adams at Alysa.Adams@parks.wa.gov or (360) 274-0962.
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