State of Washington Job Opportunity

Recruitment # 1-2-313-OC   LLL    
Job Class: 97052  &  97090
Open to the Public

PARK RANGER IN-TRAINING / PARK RANGER 1

$2053-2586 per month (range 33)

$2249-2841 per month (range 37)

Open: Continuous

This register will be used to fill year-round, full-time vacancies as they occur throughout the state.

Under supervision, assists higher level rangers in the administration, operation, maintenance, development, interpretation, 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.

Candidates hired as Park Rangers In-Training will automatically advance to Park Ranger 1 after completion of the law enforcement academy, the Ranger Checklist and at least nine months of service. The law enforcement academy and Ranger Checklist must be completed within the first 12 months of employment.

This recruitment is open to anyone who meets the requirements.

Due to the development of a new exam, all candidates currently on the register must reapply and take the new exam. Old scores may not be used.

Send a completed 1) Washington State job application, 2) college transcripts, 3) exam responses, 4) Washington State Parks Personal History Statement, and 5) two fingerprint cards to:

P.O. Box 14309

Tumwater, WA 98511-4309

You may obtain a Personal History 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.

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 in a natural resource 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.

Please be sure to list your credit hours in parks and recreation or natural resource fields in the education section of the application form.

In order to be considered for appointment to a Park Ranger 1 position, you must have successfully completed one of the following:

• Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission Law Enforcement Academy.

• Park Ranger Law Enforcement Training sanctioned by Washington State Parks.

• Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission's Basic Law Enforcement Academy.

• P.O.S.T. (Police Officer Standards Training) from another state.

• Another basic law enforcement academy approved by Washington State Parks.

Reserve police officer training academies do not meet the basic training requirement. A lapse in law enforcement employment of more than two years or an out-of-state academy may require that you attend additional law enforcement training.

Please be sure to list your law enforcement academy on the education section of the application form.

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.

• Must be free from violations of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, hit and run, reckless driving, or an accumulation of driving violations, indicating a disregard for rules and regulations.

• 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), driver’s 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.

Complete only one application. One register will be established for these two classifications. All applicants will take the same exam.

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission has a union shop requirement. Any employee hired into a Park Ranger position will be required to join the Washington Public Employees Association within 30 days of employment.

Applicants may be required to obtain the following licenses: Pesticide, Asbestos, Water Treatment, Wastewater Treatment, Hazardous Waste Handlers.

All applicants are required to pass the following before being added to the register:

• Personal History statement
• Fitness Test

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

Push-Ups - must complete 20 push-ups from the toes.

Sit-ups - must complete 27 sit-ups in one minute.

Vertical Jump - minimum of 15 inches OR Agility Run - must complete
     in 22.4 seconds.

Mile and a Half Run/Walk - must complete in 15 minutes, 20 seconds.

300 Meter Run - must complete in 72 seconds.

Bench Press - must lift 68% of body weight (one repetition).

• Fingerprint background check

• Polygraph Examination

• Psychological Examination

• Drug and Alcohol Screening

• Medical Examination

• In-Depth Background Check (only for candidates who receive a marginal rating on the psychological exam or polygraph).

For Park Ranger In-Training Candidates: Completion of an approved law enforcement academy, the Park Ranger Checklist, and on-going weapon qualification requirements.

For Park Ranger 1 Candidates: On-going weapon qualification requirements.

• 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 examination.

• Only candidates who pass the fitness test will be allowed to take the psychological written examination.

• Candidates who pass the fitness test will be scheduled for the psychological interview, polygraph examination, drug screening and medical examination. Only candidates who pass each of these tests will have their name placed on the eligibility list (register) in ranked score order. When the process is complete, applicants will receive by mail a notice indicating whether or not they have been placed on the register for Park Ranger In-Training / Park Ranger 1.

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

The following exam is an evaluation of your experience and training. We will mail your score to you, but we cannot tell you your ranking on the list of job applicants.

INSTRUCTIONS: 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 employer’s 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 Associate’s degree in one of these subject areas.
4. I have earned a Bachelor’s 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 Associate’s degree in one of these subject areas.

4. I have earned a Bachelor’s 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 Associate’s degree in a recreation program area.

4. I have earned a Bachelor’s 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 Associate’s degree in one of these subject areas.

4. I have earned a Bachelor’s 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 state’s 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. a. 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 ad 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 organization’s 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.

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).

This announcement was published July 10, 2002 by the Washington State Department of Personnel. The State of Washington is an equal opportunity employer. Persons with a disability who need assistance in the application or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call (360) 664-1960 or Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (360) 664-6211.  For questions about this recruitment call (360) 664-6260.