Seasonal staff help maintain trails, assist visitors, and keep our parks beautiful. You should be able to perform routine maintenance tasks such as cleaning rest rooms, operate a variety of equipment, follow written and oral instructions, perform moderately heavy labor, work under adverse weather conditions, and deal appropriately and tactfully with others. Some positions require a valid driver’s license, standard First-Aid and CPR certifications. You may also be required to wear a uniform. Some parks have housing available for the seasonal staff.
Apply
You can apply online, or print and mail a paper application.
- If you use the paper application, please mail the completed form directly to the park you are interested in working for. Park name and addresses are listed below.
- If you encounter problems submitting this application please contact our Human Resources office at 208-514-2493 to receive an application packet by mail.
- For questions specific to seasonal positions available within each park, please contact your desired park. Contacts are listed below.
The length of employment differs among the parks, but typically lasts 15 weeks from the latter part of May to the first part of September. However, there are jobs that begin as early as March and may last into November. Because the need varies, return to school needs and travel schedules can often be taken into consideration. If you have any questions, please contact the specific park.
Types of Seasonal Jobs
Building and Grounds Maintenance: General cleaning of visitor center and office facilities; daily cleaning of public rest rooms, washing windows, vacuuming, dusting, and scrubbing floors; collecting and disposing of garbage and litter; minor repair of facilities and equipment; lawn mowing, trimming and irrigation.
Public Relations: Greeting visitors; maintaining park publication inventory and displays; responding to information requests from management, staff and visitors; providing information in person and via email, phone, and fax.
Retail: Maintaining retail displays of resale inventory, ordering replacement inventory, operating a cash register and making change for item sales; handling money including balancing and closing cash register; completing sales transmittals and making bank deposits.
Clerical: Keeping required records and files, preparing correspondence and reports, or filing and compiling data for reports as directed.
Interpretive Program: Presenting outdoor campfire programs and Junior Ranger programs for children. In addition you may be building wayside exhibits and interpretive signing, interior interpretive exhibits at park visitor centers, or producing brochures, and trail guides.
Resource Management: Inventorying and monitoring plants and wildlife, treating noxious weeds, serving on a wildfire suppression crew, repairing fences, working on trails and restoring disturbed landscapes.
Marina Duties: Fueling Boats and providing other assistance to boaters.
Parks with Seasonal Positions
Visit our Contact Us page to find a state park near you.
North Idaho
Farragut, Priest Lake, Heyburn, Round Lake, Hells Gate, Old Mission, Trail of the Coeur d’Alene’s, Dworshak, Winchester, Cour d’Alene Parkway
Southwest Idaho
Eagle Island, Bruneau Dunes, Lucky Peak, Lake Cascade, Ponderosa
Eastern Idaho
Harriman, Henrys Lake, Bear Lake, Massacre Rocks, Yankee Fork, Ashton-Tetonia Trail
Southern Idaho
City of Rocks, Castle Rocks, Three Island Crossing, Lake Walcott, Thousand Springs
Seasonal Salary Schedule
Park Rangers
Minimum: $10.00
Maximum: $14.00
Trail Rangers
Minimum: $15.00
Maximum: $20.00
Trail Rangers
The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation Trail Ranger Program, funded by the registration fee for off-highway motorcycles and ATV’s, maintains thousands of miles of Idaho trails annually. The program is organized into three two-man crews. Each person carries a chainsaw, pulaski, and shovel along with tank bags that carry gas, oil, and tools for the saws mounted on a trail bike.
If you would like to become an Idaho Trail Ranger, contact your Regional Trails Specialist. Their contact information is listed below. Applications are generally accepted January-March of each year. If a vacancy becomes available during the year, an additional announcement will be posted.
Trail Ranger Application
Interested in learning more about what it means to be a trail ranger? Contact the Regional Trails Specialist nearest you!
Southwest Idaho
Michael Lindenfelser
michael.lindenfelser@idpr.idaho.gov or call (208) 514-2411
North Idaho
Bailey Lerwill
bailey.lerwill@idpr.idaho.gov or call (208) 769-1511
East Idaho
Brian DiLenge
brian.dilenge@idpr.idaho.gov or call (208) 525-7121
