Each summer, Washington State Parks hires hundreds of seasonal and non-permanent (typically five to six months) park aides and senior park aide for positions across the state to work the busy season, which runs from April through September. Park aides are essential to summer operations in Washington state parks. Park aides register campers, maintain trails, clean campgrounds and comfort stations and perform a variety of custodial maintenance chores. They also may work in park offices, interact with visitors, and help with interpretive and educational programs. Senior park aides are designated as lead workers and lead other park aides. Many who served as park aides report they received benefits well beyond a paycheck, learning about parks and the natural and cultural resources in State Parks’ care. Park aides gain people skills by interacting with the public and working as part of a team. They also may learn everything from trail-building techniques to the use and operation of small power tools and equipment. The applications period is open mid-February through August. More info: www.careers.wa.gov–enter “park aide” or the name of a specific state park in the website’s search function. More info: Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission