Park Ranger 1

State of Oregon; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 46,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department seeks a Park Ranger 1 near Portland to protect and manage Tryon Creek State Natural Area. Responsibilities include maintaining grounds, facilities, and trails, conducting resource interpretation, and enforcing park rules to support safe visitor experiences.

The role requires basic carpentry, plumbing, painting, and landscape skills, with night/weekend work during peak seasons and a background check.

Qualifications

• Two (2) years of visitor services experience (e.g. rule enforcement; interpretation such as education and environmental awareness programs; special events and activities; etc.)
• An Associate's degree or higher in Park and Recreation Administration or Natural Resource Management, Environmental Studies or a related field; AND Six (6) months of visitor services experience (e.g. rule enforcement; interpretation such as education and environmental awareness programs; special events and activities; etc.)
• To be hired, a criminal record and driving record check must be completed that meets OPRD Criteria at the time of hire, and throughout employment while also maintaining a valid driver’s license.
• This position is required to work nights, weekends and holidays especially during the summer season.

Responsibilities

• Protect, maintain, operate, and repair state park lands, natural and cultural resources, structures, facilities, equipment, and systems.
• Support maintenance and operational needs of Oregon Parks and Recreation Department programs and properties within the Tryon Creek/Milo McIver Management Unit.
• Perform building trades related tasks and basic landscape maintenance to ensure safe, clean park facilities and trails.

Skills

Visitor services

Maintenance experience

Customer service

Trail maintenance

Patterning of resources interpretation

Resource interpretation

Basic plumbing

Carpentry

Painting

Grounds-keeping

Education

Associate's degree or higher in Park and Recreation Administration or Natural Resource Management

Tools

Basic tools handling

Job description

## Park Ranger 1Apply: Portland | OPRD | Valleys Region - Columbia District - (MU) Tryon Creek: Full time: Posted 6 Days Ago: REQ-205422**Initial Posting Date:**09/08/2026**Application Deadline:**09/16/2026**Agency:**Parks and Recreation Department**Salary Range:**$4,124 - $5,458**Position Type:**Employee**Position Title:**Park Ranger 1**Job Description:**# **Tryon Creek State Natural Area - Oregon State Parks**Near Portland, Oregon**Welcome Statement**Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is proud to care for Oregon’s extraordinary landscapes and rich cultural history. The department serves its visitors and all Oregonians through its properties and programs, and recognizes that the state’s resilience and beauty are strengthened by its diverse population. Oregon State Parks are public spaces where all are welcome. We value and serve everyone, and we are committed to providing safe and equitable access to state parks and agency programs. The department will not tolerate racism, harassment, discrimination or intimidation in any form.**Your New Role**As a **permanent, full-time Park Ranger 1,** you will carry out a wide range of tasks to protect, maintain, operate, and repair state park lands, natural and cultural resources, structures, facilities, equipment, and systems. This work involves using skills in the building trades such as carpentry, electrical, plumbing, painting, and landscape maintenance, as well as specialized program skills, including resource interpretation, cultural and natural resource restoration, utility infrastructure operation, and park rule enforcement. In this role, you will support the maintenance and operational needs of Oregon Parks and Recreation Department programs and properties within the Tryon Creek/Milo McIver Management Unit.**For a complete review of the position and responsibilities please** click **here.****What's in it for you:**An exciting opportunity to help millions of visitors connect with the top state parks across America; working alongside a dedicated, skilled, and passionate team of professionals. Additional benefits include:* Work/life balance, 11 paid holidays a year, and a **competitive benefits package****.*** Advancement and learning opportunities that will help grow your career with the State of Oregon.**Minimum Qualifications:*** **Two (2) years of visitor services** experience (e.g. rule enforcement; interpretation such as education and environmental awareness programs; special events and activities; etc.) **AND/OR** maintenance experience (e.g., construction trades, landscaping).**OR*** **An Associate's degree or higher in** Park and Recreation Administration or Natural Resource Management, Environmental Studies or a related field; **AND Six (6) months** of visitor services experience (e.g. rule enforcement; interpretation such as education and environmental awareness programs; special events and activities; etc.) **AND/OR** maintenance experience (e.g., construction trades, landscaping).**Special Requirements:*** To be hired, a criminal record and driving record check must be completed that meets OPRD Criteria at the time of hire, and throughout employment while also maintaining a valid driver’s license.* This position is required to work nights, weekends and holidays especially during the summer season.**Desired Attributes:*** Knowledge of basic park resources, facility operations, resource interpretation, and landscape, building, facility and trail maintenance.* Skill in the safe use of tools, materials and equipment associated with landscape, building, facility and trail maintenance.* Skill in providing excellent customer service to a diverse visitor base and promoting a culturally diverse work environment.* Skill in maintaining a variety of trail types including natural surface, equestrian, and multi-use paved bike trails.* Skill in giving direction concerning work procedures to individuals or teams composed of staff and volunteers to accomplish tasks and achieve established goals.* Skill in performing basic plumbing, carpentry, painting and grounds-keeping tasks.* Experience collaborating with partners such as non-profit friends groups and watershed councils in a park setting.**How to Apply:****Applications will be reviewed for minimum qualifications and desired attributes listed above,** consistency of information, and professional communication.**A resume and cover letter are REQUIRED for this posting. Failure to provide may remove your application from consideration.*** Use the \"My Experience\" section in your Workday candidate profile to provide a detailed overview of your work history, experience, and skills, demonstrating how you meet the minimum qualifications and any of the desired attributes listed above. **What You Need to Know to Get the Job**.* The information in your application will be used to complete a pay equity assessment to determine salary placement upon hire. Please see the link here to our **Pay Equity Project****.*** ***External Applicants:*** Click on the “Apply” link and submit your application. View this **video** or this **knowledge article** for assistance.* ***Internal Applicants*** **(Current State of Oregon employees):** Apply via your employee Workday account. View this **knowledge article** for help.* **Veterans:** We value the dedication of Veterans! Take advantage of Veterans’ Preference by submitting the required documentation at time of application. The requirements can be found on the **Veterans' Resources** page under “Qualifying for Veterans’ Preference”.* **After applying, log in to your Workday account (application site)** to see if you have any **pending tasks or actions** that need to be completed before the announcement closes. Save a copy of this job announcement for your reference.* **Interviews are tentatively scheduled within the first two weeks of October.****Additional Information:*** This position is ***represented by Service Employees International Union (SEIU).**** This announcement **may be used to fill future vacancies** as they occur.* Oregon Parks & Recreation Department does not offer visa sponsorships. Within three days of hire, all applicants will be required to complete the **US Department of Justice Form I-9**, confirming authorization to work in the United States. Oregon Parks and Recreation Department uses E-Verify to confirm that applicants are authorized to work in the United States.**Contact Information:*** For questions about this position, contact hiring supervisor: **Sam Gibson, [e-mail]*** For questions on application process, email: [e-mail].* Follow **Oregon Parks & Recreation Department** **on** **Facebook** **Instagram****Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, committed to diversity.**