Official Government Website

Seasonal Employment in Idaho State Parks

Why spend the summer indoors when you can work outside in a beautiful state park? Idaho State Parks offers a variety of seasonal employment opportunities.

How to Apply

You can apply online, or print and mail a paper application.

  1. If you use the paper application, please mail the completed form directly to the park you interested in working for. Park name and addresses are listed below.
  2. If you encounter problems submitting this application please contact our Human Resources office at 208-514-2493 to receive an application packet by mail.
  3. For questions specific to seasonal positions available within each park, please contact your desired park. Contacts are listed below.
man showing guests large map on wall

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.

Seasonal Salary Schedule

Minimum:  $10.00
Maximum:  $14.00

Length of Employment

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.

two employees working in trench in the ground

Requirements

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.

Work and Stay

Some parks have housing available for the seasonal staff.  For more information about housing availability, seasonal vacancies or other information you may contact the park at the address and phone numbers below.

State Park NameMailing AddressPhoneHousing
Bear LakeP.O. Box 297
Paris, ID 83261
(208) 945-2325No
Bruneau Dunes State Park27608 Sand Dunes Rd
Mountain Home, ID 83647
(208) 366-7919No
City of Rocks National ReserveP.O. Box 169
Almo, ID 83312
(208) 824-5901No
Coeur d'Alene Parkway13550 E. Highway 54
Athol, ID 83801
(208) 699-2224No
Dworshak State ParkP.O. Box 2028
Orofino, ID 83544
(208) 476-5994Yes
Eagle Island State Park165 Eagle Island Parkway
Eagle, ID 83616
(208) 939-0696No
Farragut State Park13550 E. Highway 54
Athol, ID 83801
(208) 683-2425No
Harriman State Park3489 Green Canyon Rd
Island Park, ID 83429
(208) 558-7368Yes
Hells Gate State Park5100 Hells Gate Rd
Lewiston, ID 83501
(208) 799-5015No
Henrys Lake State Park3917 E 5100 N
Island Park, ID 83429
(208) 558-7532Yes
Heyburn State Park57 Chatcolet Rd
Plummer, ID 83851
(208) 686-1308Yes
Lake Cascade State ParkP.O. Box 709
Cascade, ID 83611
(208) 382-6544No
Lake Walcott959 E. Minidoka Dam
Rupert, ID 83350
(208) 436-1258No
Land of the Yankee Fork Historic AreaP.O. Box 1086
Challis, ID 83226
(208) 879-5244No
Lucky Peak State Park9725 E. Highway 21
Boise, ID 83716
(208) 334-2432No
Massacre Rocks3592 N. Park Lane
American Falls, ID 83211
(208) 548-2672No
McCroskey State Park1291 Chatcolet Rd
Plummer, ID 83851
(208) 686-1308No
Old Mission State Park / Trail of the Coeur d'AlenesP.O. Box 30
Cataldo, ID 83810
(208) 682-3814No
Ponderosa State ParkP.O. Box 89
McCall, ID 83638
(208) 634-2164No
Priest Lake State Park314 Indian Creek Park Rd.
Coolin, ID 83821
(208) 443-2200Yes
Ritter Island State ParkP.O. Box 149
Hagerman, ID 83332
(208) 837-4505No
Round Lake State ParkP.O. Box 170
Sagle, ID 83860
(208) 263-3489No
Spring Shores Unit, Lucky Peak State Park9725 E. Highway 21
Boise, ID 83716
(208) 336-9505No
Thousand Springs State ParkDistrict P.O. Box 149
Hagerman, ID 83332
(208) 837-4505No
Winchester Lake State ParkP.O. Box 186
Winchester, ID 83555
(208) 924-7563No
Three Island Crossing State ParkP.O. Box 609
Glenns Ferry, ID 83623
(208) 366-2394No

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

Nathan Sparks
nathan.sparks@idpr.idaho.gov or call (208) 769-1511

East Idaho

Brian DiLenge
brian.dilenge@idpr.idaho.gov or call (208) 525-7121

ranger on dirtbike on trail
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