What are the responsibilities and job description for the Construction & Maintenance Project Specialist (Olmstead Place) position at State of Washington Parks and Recreation Commission?
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.
About the 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. We encourage you to apply!
Duties
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.
Qualifications
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.
AND
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Requirements:
Uniform: All Construction & Maintenance Specialist 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.
How to apply:
Only candidates who reflect the minimum qualifications on their NEOGOV profile will be considered. Failure to follow the application instructions below may lead to disqualification. To apply for this position, you will need to complete your profile which includes three professional references. It is highly encouraged to attach:
- A cover letter that specifically addresses how you meet the qualifications for this position
- Current resume
To take advantage of veteran preference, please do the following:
- Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 long-form copy), NGB 22, or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
- Please black out any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers. Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.
- For more information on Veteran's Preference and instructions on how to check your eligibility, click here.
Supplemental Information
About Parks:
Want to join a great organization? 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. Parks is staffed with nearly 1,000 employees (summers), who are some of the most passionate employees you'll find anywhere. For more information on Washington State Parks, click here.
Note: This position is covered by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). Once the listed position(s) is(are) filled, this recruitment announcement may also be used to fill additional position(s) for up to sixty (60) days.
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.
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 (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.
For information about this position, please contact Chad Stevens at Chad.Stevens@parks.wa.gov or (509) 607-9641.
For information about the recruitment process and qualifications, please contact Jenee Kramer at Jenee.Kramer@parks.wa.gov or (360) 902-8569.
All applicants with a legal right to work in the United States are encouraged to apply.
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Salary : $200