State Park Ranger

Description

NOTE: All applicants must apply by 4:59 PM MST on the closing date.

Are you a passionate outdoor enthusiast who enjoys providing guest services and has hands-on skills in building maintenance, land stewardship, and equipment operation?

A new Idaho State Park, located 30 minutes outside of Salmon, is seeking a dedicated Park Ranger to help develop, maintain, and operate this exciting and evolving unit.

Nestled in Idaho’s Salmon River country, this new state park offers more than just a workplace. It provides a lifestyle rooted in natural beauty and outdoor opportunity. With sweeping views of the Rattlesnake drainage, direct access to the Salmon River, and close proximity to more than 1,500 miles of public land trails, the park is both a peaceful retreat and an active recreation hub. Whether you enjoy hiking, riding, wildlife viewing, or simply the calm of wide-open spaces, this location offers a unique and fulfilling place to live and work.

Originally a working guest ranch, the property now combines rustic charm with modern amenities across 670 acres in the Salmon River Valley. The park features 25 full-service rental units, a lodge, restaurant, multiple outbuildings, all of which require active stewardship and ongoing attention to detail. As a Park Ranger, your work will begin with facility maintenance and park operations. You will oversee essential infrastructure and perform both routine and emergency repairs in plumbing, HVAC, carpentry, and electrical systems. You will also operate and maintain a range of park equipment, including tractors, UTVs, snow removal machines, and irrigation systems. Additionally, you will help care for historic ranch structures, fences, corrals, and pastures to ensure both functionality and visual appeal throughout the park.

Guest services are equally central to this role. As one of the park’s most visible team members, you will help deliver exceptional experiences for overnight guests and day visitors alike. Your responsibilities will include welcoming visitors, managing check-ins, supporting retail operations, and assisting with special events such as weddings, reunions, and retreats. Your professionalism and presence will play a key part in creating a friendly, responsive environment that meets the expectations of today's park users.

This is a dynamic role that will evolve as the park continues to grow and stabilize. Over time, you may become more involved in trail development, recreational site readiness, partnerships with public land agencies, and long-term park planning. This position is ideal for someone who enjoys variety, takes pride in both service and hands-on work, and is excited about helping to shape the future of a growing park.

Park housing is available, providing a unique opportunity to live and work in one of Idaho’s most scenic and peaceful landscapes.

If you are committed to delivering excellent guest service while supporting daily operations behind the scenes, we encourage you to apply!

To learn more about this position, or the housing opportunity available, please contact Park Manager, Zack Grogan:

• Phone: (208) 272-0123
• Email: zack.grogan@idpr.idaho.gov

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES

Visitor Services and Resource Protection

• Provides information to visitors and the public regarding park history, geology, plants, and animals.
• Develops and presents interpretive programs for park visitors, school groups, and organizations.
• Ensures compliance with outdoor recreation programs, park rules, and regulations.
• Works with local enforcement agencies, fire departments, and community leaders.
• Patrols the park to protect and preserve its resources from vandalism and abuse.
• Promotes public safety.
• Maintains a current CPR and First Aid certification.
• Serves as a public contact representative delivering high-quality customer service to overnight and day-use guests.
• Assists with guest reservations, check-ins, cash handling, and point-of-sale retail operations.
• Supports hospitality services for premium lodging and event hosting, including weddings, reunions, and retreats.
• Coordinates with public land agencies and provides trail safety and regulatory information to users.
• Supports operation and readiness of on-site recreational venues such as the shooting range and rodeo arena.

Administrative

• Works with other park staff to hire, train, schedule, and supervise seasonal employees and volunteers.
• Prepares and maintains reports, expense transmittals, records, logs, and inventories in a timely manner.
• Purchases supplies and materials while following the department's purchasing rules and guidelines.
• May represent the department at meetings with the public, user and/or special interest groups, and partner agencies.
• Maintains documentation related to preventive maintenance programs, guest service logs, and trail operations.
• Coordinates with partner agencies (e.g., BLM, U.S. Forest Service) on shared trail management and joint projects.

Park Maintenance

• Maintains park facilities and grounds to ensure resource preservation and visitor safety.
• Performs a variety of maintenance duties including carpentry, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, painting, and masonry.
• Operates and maintains vehicles, mowers, trimmers, chainsaws, backhoes, snow removal equipment, and a variety of hand and power tools, including OHVs and UTVs.
• Performs and maintains building maintenance and historic infrastructure, including mowing, trimming, and upkeep of fences, corrals, lawns, and pastures.
• Executes a comprehensive preventative maintenance program for all buildings and grounds.
• Maintains and repairs utility systems including domestic water, wastewater, hand lines, and pressurized irrigation.
• Natural resource management includes identification of noxious weeds, spraying, following a pest management plan, and maintaining logs.
• Conducts maintenance and improvements on trail systems supporting motorized and non-motorized recreation.
• Oversees operational readiness and safety of recreational areas such as trails, the rodeo arena, and shooting range.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• This position requires working nights, weekends, and holidays, often in all weather conditions and around potentially hazardous materials such as caustic substances and pesticides.
• The role also requires the ability to lift and carry items weighing up to 40 pounds regularly and up to 100 pounds occasionally, as well as frequent bending, stooping, and climbing ladders, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• This position requires the incumbent to possess and maintain a valid driver’s license throughout the course of employment.
• Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Some knowledge of outdoor recreation and/or natural resource management. Typically gained by completing at least 9 college-level credits in a natural resource and/or outdoor recreation field AND at least six months of experience working with natural resource issues and/or outdoor recreation; OR, at least twelve (12) months experience as a Ranger (or similar position) in a city, county, state or federal park and recreation system.

Experience providing service to a variety of customers. Typically gained by at least 6 months of experience answering questions, providing direction, and asking questions to determine the needs or purpose of the visit.

Experience supervising the work of others. Typically gained by at least six (6) months' work experience assigning work or training new/existing staff.

THE PREFERRED CANDIDATE WILL HAVE

Experience operating and maintaining vehicles/equipment. Typically gained by at least six months of experience skillfully operating lightweight over-the-road type vehicles and equipment such as cars and pickups (manual shift not automatic), lawnmowers, weed eaters, trimmers, etc., and operating heavy equipment and vehicles such as tractors, trucks, backhoes, front end loaders, etc.

Experience performing construction and building maintenance. Typically gained by at least six months of experience skillfully performing basic carpentry tasks such as roof repair, erecting drywall, installing windows or doors, minor home repair, and performing basic plumbing tasks such as repairing/replacing faucets, sinks, drains, and toilets.

Some knowledge of Interpretation/Environmental Education. Typically gained by successfully completing at least three (3) college-level credits, one (1) agency-sponsored workshop, that included park interpretation or environmental education; OR, at least six (6) months of work experience creating and leading interpretive experiences such as campfire programs, school tours, and nature walks in a park and recreation or school system.

Given the high volume of applications for the Ranger position, we strongly encourage applicants to submit comprehensive resumes and cover letters. To provide clarity on our desired expectations, we've prepared a sample resume and cover letter: Example Resume and Cover Letter for Ranger Position

DO WHAT YOU LOVE, LOVE WHAT YOU DO

WHY IDPR? We are innovators in outdoor recreation, committed to excellent service and resource stewardship. We foster experiences that renew the human spirit and promote community vitality. Our mission is to improve the quality of life in Idaho through outdoor recreation and resource stewardship. IDPR manages 30 state parks, trails and attractions throughout every region of Idaho and the registration programs for boats, snowmobiles and other off-highway vehicles (OHV). Money from these registration programs goes back to users to develop and maintain trails, facilities and programs. IDPR also provides free education courses for boaters and OHV operators. To learn more about Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation please visit: https://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/

BENEFITS: We offer a competitive benefits package which includes excellent medical, dental and vision insurance. There is generous vacation and sick leave accrual that begins as soon as you start. There are ten paid holidays in a year; participation in one of the Nation's best state retirement systems; multiple saving plans and optional 401K; life insurance; wellness programs; ongoing training opportunities and more. For additional information related to benefits and/or State programs, please visit: https://dhr.idaho.gov/information-for-state-employees/.

EEO/ADA/Veteran: The State of Idaho is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, political affiliation or belief, sex, national origin, genetics, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.

The State of Idaho is committed to access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, auxiliary aids and services are available upon request. If you require an accommodation at any step in our recruitment process, you are encouraged to contact (208) 334-2263 (TTY/TTD: 711), or email ada.coordinator@dhr.idaho.gov.

Preference may be given to veterans who qualify under state and federal laws and regulations.