Park Ranger 1

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

Benefits offered by this job

Work/life balance

11 paid holidays a year

a competitive benefits package

Job summary

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is seeking a Park Ranger 1 to patrol Tryon Creek State Natural Area, enforce park rules, maintain facilities, and assist with carpentry, electrical, plumbing, and landscape tasks.

This full-time, permanent position requires two years of visitor services or maintenance experience, an associates degree or higher in relevant fields, and readiness to work nights, weekends, and holidays.

Qualifications

• Two years of visitor services experience and/or maintenance experience.
• Associate's degree or higher in a relevant field; six months of related experience is required.

Responsibilities

• Protect, maintain, operate, and repair state park lands, resources, structures, facilities, equipment, and systems.
• Perform landscape, carpentry, electrical, plumbing, painting, and trail maintenance.
• Enforce park rules and provide interpretation and customer service to visitors.

Skills

Park operations

Visitor services

Maintenance & trades

Customer service

Safety awareness

Education

Associate's degree or higher in Park and Recreation Administration or Natural Resource Management, Environmental Studies or a related field

Six months of visitor services experience or maintenance experience

Job description

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.

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
• 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).
• 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.

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.

The State of Oregon does not request or require your age, date of birth, attendance or graduation dates from an educational institution during the application process.

Oregon state government is a large organization by nearly any standard. With over 40,000 employees working all over the state, in small communities and large, we are proving that government can be innovative. We work as a team, challenging ourselves to be better, faster and more efficient with taxpayer dollars. After all, when every day we are responsible for caring for the needs of a diverse population and thriving business community, we simply must have the best and brightest workforce.

If you take responsibility for your actions, are passionate about helping others succeed, and have a reputation for excellence and honesty, why not make Oregon state government your next career move? Joining our team means you open the door to many possibilities.

From entry level to executive, outdoor work to policy setting, we have a role for nearly every calling, expertise and background. If you’re looking at us from across the country (or beyond!), know that Oregon is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Made up of seven diverse regions, Oregon has the ocean, mountains, valleys, high desert, cities, small towns, and almost everything in between. Oregon “flies with her own wings.”