Construction & Maintenance Project Specialist (Olmstead Place)

State-of-Washington-Parks-and-Recreation-Commissio; Ellensburg (WA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission in Ellensburg, WA is seeking a Construction & Maintenance Project Specialist to perform advanced work in multiple trades, plan and complete routine and non-routine projects, and coordinate with park staff. On-site required; position is permanent and not eligible for telework.

Duties include overseeing equipment, facilities, and safety compliance, with a focus on timely project completion and emergency response.

Qualifications

• Two years as a Maintenance Mechanic 1 or equivalent.
• Four years in two or more construction/building trades with hands-on experience.
• High school diploma or GED required.
• Valid WA driver's license; CDL and First Aid/CPR per policy within 12 months.

Responsibilities

• Perform advanced skilled maintenance and construction tasks across trades.
• Lead and coordinate work with area staff and park personnel.
• Oversee maintenance and operation of agency equipment, tools, buildings and facilities.
• Prepare written documents and project plans for maintenance and repairs.
• Respond to emergencies and urgent maintenance needs.
• Operate Parks-owned light and heavy equipment as required.

Skills

Maintenance experience

Multi-trade skills

Leadership and crew coordination

Independent problem solving

Safety and compliance

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Autodesk AutoCAD

Autodesk Revit

Job description

Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission

Job Title: Construction & Maintenance Project Specialist

Location: Ellensburg, WA

Closes: October 29th, 2026, by 5 p.m. PST.

Position Status: This is a permanent position.

Park housing is unavailable for this position.

Under the direct supervision of the Construction & Maintenance Supervisor, the Construction & Maintenance Project Specialist performs advanced skill level work in various trades accomplishing routine, planned, and emergency maintenance in the Central Cascades area.

This position may serve as the maintenance and project contact for the area and associated park managed facilities and properties. Duties include coordinating and working cooperatively with area and park staff, responsibility for project identification, planning, development, and completion of routine and non-routine projects (including emergency and urgent repairs, as well as overseeing maintenance and operation of agency owned equipment, tools, buildings, and facilities.

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

The Central Cascades Area is in the heart of Washington State, offering a diverse natural landscape to enjoy through all four beautiful seasons. The area is home to many unique cultural and natural resources as well as a large inventory of historic properties.

Whether working in the heavy timber of Snoqualmie Pass or the scenic shrub step of the Columbia River Gorge, everyday can be a different experience to enjoy while working to provide recreational opportunities and protect some of Washingtons valued resources.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Performs construction, maintenance and repair work for completing preventative and deferred maintenance projects requiring lead and journey level skills.
• Performs journey level work in equipment operations, repair, improvement projects, carpentry, masonry, roofing, plumbing, and electrical trades.
• Maintains, constructs, and remodels buildings, floats, docks, trails infrastructure, and other facilities for continued park operations.
• Provides written documents.
• Performs construction and maintenance tasks and projects within the parks and facilities managed and permit codes.
• Responds and repairs area park maintenance related emergencies and urgencies.
• Operates Parks' owned light and small engine equipment such as mowers, trucks/vehicles, snow removal, chainsaws, brush chippers, stump grinders, welders, and other equipment used in the park.
• Responsible for heavy equipment operation, maintenance, and repair, as needed.
• Operates and transports equipment, as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Two (2) years as a Maintenance Mechanic 1.
• Four (4) years of advanced level experience in two (2) or more of the construction/building trades to include: building maintenance, repair, remodeling, construction duties, and mechanical/machinery operation.
• Two (2) years of technical or vocational training or education in a building/construction trade may substitute for up to two (2) years of the required experience.
• High school graduation or GED.
• Valid Washington State unrestricted (except corrective lenses) driver's license.
• Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with a valid medical certification must be obtained within the first 12 months of employment.
• First Aid/CPR Certification must be obtained within the first 12 months of employment.

Required Competencies

• The Ability to take Action to Learn and Grow.
• The Ability to take Action to Meet the Needs of Others.
• Technical Trade Skills –Competent in multi-trade journey level work including carpentry, masonry, roofing, plumbing, and electrical trades to handle complex structural needs.
• Leadership and Crew Coordination – Guiding and teaching other staff, directs others and assigns tasks. Ensures productivity, accountability, and adherence to standards while fostering a collaborative team environment.
• Equipment Operations & Logistics – Resourceful, skilled, and safety-focused when operating, maintaining, repairing, and transporting heavy machinery and specialized gear safely to various job sites.
• Independent Problem Solving & Judgment –Self-directed, analytical, and reliable when working alone in remote locations, using sound judgment to resolve unexpected issues, responding to urgent emergencies, and managing preventative or deferred projects.
• Project Planning & Coordination – Organized, proactive, and strategic in developing work methods, building schedules, ordering required materials, and requesting necessary staff or contracted labor assistance to see a project through to completion.
• Administrative & Regulatory Compliance – Detailed, compliant, and fiscally responsible when navigating permitting processes, managing budget, and preparing formal Work Project Requests within strict code requirements.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience working for Washington State Parks or a similar parks and recreation entity.
• Advanced level experience driving and operating a variety of vehicles and light to heavy equipment.
• Advanced knowledge and experience working with various hand and power tools.
• Intermediate technical knowledge and expertise in construction, installation, and problem-solving issues impacting agency facilities, sites, and systems.
• Beginner skills and experience with the use of Microsoft Office products, such as Word, Outlook. and Excel.
• Beginner project management experience to include planning, purchasing, and completion of tasks.
• Experience organizing work projects to include time management, multi-tasking, and communication.
• Knowledge and application of building codes and all other rules and regulations governing safety, repair, maintenance, and construction of facilities and tasks.

Additional Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of structural, geotechnical, and environmental factors in a variety of park and recreation settings.
• Ability to critically evaluate the condition of a facility, equipment, or property for routine, preventive, and corrective use.
• Strong teamwork for working on complex jobs with multiple trades and stakeholders.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and Autodesk (AutoCAD, Revit).
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with stakeholders, management, engineered contractors, and citizens.
• Strong sense of safety, compliance, and environmental stewardship.
• Ability to work independently or with a cross-functional team in fast-paced, dynamic settings.

Requirements

Uniform: All Construction & Maintenance Specialists are required to wear a uniform. A complete and properly worn uniform helps establish the professional identity of a Construction & Maintenance Specialist and promotes respect as a Washington State Parks employee. All Construction & Maintenance Specialists will receive 6 shirts within the first year (2 shirts per calendar year after the first year), 1 jacket every 3 years, 1 baseball cap every year, 1 safety vest every 3 years, and a clothing stipend of $200 per year, and a $250 boot stipend every 2 years. Uniform stipends are intended to offset the cost of clothing worn in the workplace such as pants, boots, raingear, etc.

Working Conditions

Position works four (4) days a week, 10 hours per day. Core working hours are typically 6:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday - Thursday. This position requires travel and overnight travel between parks and statewide for meetings, training, and other field work. Adjustment to the core schedule may be needed to meet business needs. A flexible work schedule will be considered at the incumbent's request and is subject to supervisory approval. Incumbent must maintain regular and reliable attendance to accommodate office and customer demands.

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 [phone]. 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 this position, please contact Chad Stevens at [e-mail] or [phone].

For information about the recruitment process and qualifications, please contact Jenee Kramer at [e-mail] or [phone].

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