Park Supervisor, Alder Lake presso City of Tacoma, WA

About the Department

If you would like a rewarding career that allows you to get outside, work in nature and contribute to a truly important mission of maintaining an outstanding park for everyone to enjoy.

Tacoma Power’s Nisqually Hydroelectric Project is seeking a Parks Supervisor to oversee the operations and maintenance of Alder Lake Park, one of Pierce County’s most popular recreation destinations. This role is responsible for supervising staff, enforcing park rules, managing budgets, maintaining park facilities and systems, and ensuring safe and enjoyable experiences for thousands of visitors each year.

As the on-site caretaker, you’ll live in City-provided housing and play a vital role in keeping Alder Lake Park welcoming, safe, and operational during the recreation season.

About Alder Lake Park

Nestled at the top of Alder Dam, Alder Lake stretches seven miles with 28 miles of shoreline and over 3,000 acres of reservoir. The park system features:

• 211 campsites across multiple campgrounds
• Day-use areas, including picnic shelters and a sandy swimming beach
• Boat launches and moorage facilities
• Restroom and shower facilities
• Shop/office complex, domestic water system, and a wastewater system

This position is essential to the stewardship of Tacoma Power’s hydroelectric recreation resources, ensuring residents and visitors alike can enjoy camping, boating, fishing, and family recreation.

Essential Duties

• Supervise and schedule a team of staff and volunteers; provide training, conduct performance evaluations, and administer hiring/discipline procedures.
• Oversee daily park operations including reservations, fee collection, public interaction, and enforcement of park rules.
• Inspect and maintain facilities, equipment, trails, and utilities (domestic water and waste water system).
• Coordinate and participate in park maintenance and repair projects.
• Monitor park safety and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Assist with development of annual budgets; track expenditures, manage supplies, and perform purchasing activities.
• Compile and maintain accurate records, databases, and reports.
• Work a rotating schedule that includes weekends and holidays during the recreation season (May–September).
• Serve as on-site caretaker in City-provided housing and respond to emergencies on a 24/7 basis as needed.

Position Duties

Minimum Education*
 Associate's Degree in parks and recreation, business administration or directly related field
 
Minimum Experience*
 5 years of recreational facility/park operational experience including 1 year of lead/supervisory experience

*Equivalency: 1 year of experience = 1 year of education

Licensing, Certifications and Other Requirements
 -First Aid Certification
 -State of Washington Driver's License

-A Group II wastewater treatment plant operator's certificate will need to be acquired and maintained.

Minimum Qualifications

• Operation and maintenance practices of day-use and overnight park facilities
• Basic First Aid procedures
• Operation of a personal computer to access the reservation system and other programs
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt effective courses of action
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Relate effectively to people of a variety of cultures, languages, abilities and social-economic situations using effective customer service skills including active listening, tact, patience and courtesy
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others
• Comply with safety standards and regulations
• Accurate record-keeping techniques
• Principles and practices of hiring, supervision and training
• Knowledge of applicable laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures
• Troubleshoot and maintain equipment and facilities in a clean and safe condition
• Hire, supervise and provide work direction to assigned personnel
• Prepare and maintain accurate records and reports. Perform a variety of skilled and manual maintenance tasks
• Meet schedules and timelines
• Observe legal and defensive driving practices operating a vehicle to perform park inspections
• Recognize and take appropriate precaution against occupational or public hazards related to park operations
• Work independently with little direction
• Develop programs for the prudent maintenance and operation of park facilities

Other Qualifications

Compensation & Benefits

Pay Details: 
Hourly Rate: $54.38 - $66.08

Employee Benefits | City of Tacoma

At the City of Tacoma, we're on a mission to make our workforce as diverse and inclusive as the community we serve. We're committed to eliminating racial and other disparities, and we actively seek out candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. Join our team at the City of Tacoma and help us build a more vibrant, inclusive, and equitable community for all.

The City of Tacoma believes that diversity of thought, background, and experience contributes to our success and innovation. If you’re passionate about this role and our mission, we encourage you to apply. If you have a less traditional background, we want to hear about your transferrable skills and experience. We value a variety of perspectives and are excited to see what you bring to the table.

The Community:

Nestled in the foothills of Mount Rainier, the Alder Lake Dam area is located just outside of Eatonville, Washington—about an hour’s drive southeast of Tacoma. The Alder Dam, completed in 1945, is one of Tacoma Power’s key hydroelectric projects on the Nisqually River. The dam created Alder Lake, a seven-mile-long reservoir with more than 28 miles of shoreline. Together with the nearby LaGrande Dam, Alder plays an essential role in providing clean, renewable hydroelectric power to the region.

The area is known for its stunning natural beauty and year-round opportunities for outdoor adventure. Alder Lake Park, operated by Tacoma Power, offers campgrounds, picnic areas, a swimming beach, and a boat launch that attracts thousands of visitors each year. Fishing, boating, hiking, and wildlife viewing are part of everyday life in this scenic setting.

Eatonville itself is a welcoming small town with a strong sense of community and a rich connection to Washington’s natural heritage. Just a short drive from Mount Rainier National Park, residents enjoy unparalleled access to mountain trails, forests, and rivers, while still being within reach of larger cities like Tacoma, Olympia, and Puyallup for urban amenities. Living and working in the Alder Lake Dam area means being part of a close-knit community rooted in both history and natural beauty—where your work directly supports clean energy, recreation, and stewardship of some of the Pacific Northwest’s most breathtaking landscapes.

Application Process:

Interested individuals should apply online by completing the application and attaching a resume and cover letter by the closing date and time listed on the job announcement. Applications received without attaching the required materials may not progress in the selection process.

If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for veteran's preference points, please attach a copy of your DD214 to your application.

Get Assistance

For assistance with the application process or questions regarding this job announcement please contact the Human Resources office at (253) 591-5400 by 4:00 p.m. of the closing date of the job announcement. 

For technical difficulties using the Neogov system, call the applicant support line at 1-855-524-5627 between 6:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. This will allow us to assist you before the job announcement closes.

Communication with the City of Tacoma

We primarily communicate via email during the application process. Emails from Tacoma.gov and/or governmentjobs.com should be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk email folders.